Cast Bullet questions

[IWAC]

For years, I used self-cast RCBS 150 gr SWC for IPSC and everything else. It was as close to Lyman #2, (15 BHN) I could mix on my Coleman gas stove, and no leading. I then had an unhappy experience with a local caster and his "hard" bullets...leading!
I don't cast any more, and my supply of 150 gr. SWCs is getting low, and I can't seem to find local casters who offer the RCBS bullet in that weight. I figure that 158 gr. cast SWCs should do just as well, and I have seen some 160 gr RNFP bullets that look good, too!

Problem is, one or two companies offer the RNFP at nearly Jacketed bullet prices, and others charge about half that. Is there a difference in quality, or will the lower priced bullets not fly back and knock my hat off? I I now load my cast and jacketed bullets in 357 brass, and keep the velocity down to ~850-1,000 Fps. Will 12 BHN be satisfactory, or should I order some of the 15-16 BHN offerings? What do you think?

 

[jmorris]

Is there a difference in quality,

I have found that you don’t always get what you pay for but you always pay for what you get.

I suggest buying small quantities of anything you may get want to try. If it works for you then you can buy in larger quantities to save some money.

 

[kcofohio]

My experience with MBC 158 gr. ".357 Action" SWC has been good with anything from Titegroup to 2400. Though I never chrony'd any in Titegroup, I'm sure I was below 1000 fps.
http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=41&category=5&secondary=10

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I I now load my cast and jacketed bullets in 357 brass, and keep the velocity down to ~850-1,000 Fps. Will 12 BHN be satisfactory, or should I order some of the 15-16 BHN offerings?

12 is more than hard enough for your application.
I've ran straight clip on wheel weights (about 11 BHN) to well over 1,000 fps with no leading.
Your local guy's "hard cast" bullets were probably just that. Too hard.
A bullet that is too hard will lead your barrel just as fast if not faster than a bullet that is too soft. Fit is the important thing.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For years, I used self-cast RCBS 150 gr SWC for IPSC and everything else. It was as close to Lyman #2, (15 BHN) I could mix on my Coleman gas stove, and no leading. I then had an unhappy experience with a local caster and his "hard" bullets...leading!
I don't cast any more, and my supply of 150 gr. SWCs is getting low, and I can't seem to find local casters who offer the RCBS bullet in that weight. I figure that 158 gr. cast SWCs should do just as well, and I have seen some 160 gr RNFP bullets that look good, too!

Problem is, one or two companies offer the RNFP at nearly Jacketed bullet prices, and others charge about half that. Is there a difference in quality, or will the lower priced bullets not fly back and knock my hat off? I I now load my cast and jacketed bullets in 357 brass, and keep the velocity down to ~850-1,000 Fps. Will 12 BHN be satisfactory, or should I order some of the 15-16 BHN offerings? What do you think?

The leading probably came from either the wrong diameter bullet or the bullet was too hard for the pressures you were generating. (or both) They were probably too hard, give those 12 BHN bullets a try, that will most probably be just fine. That's mostly what I use.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I now load my cast and jacketed bullets in 357 brass, and keep the velocity down to ~850-1,000 Fps. Will 12 BHN be satisfactory, or should I order some of the 15-16 BHN offerings? What do you think?

I use about 10-12 for that velocity range. I also use flat based bullets that I make myself and don't have much of a leading problem except for the time I loaded them at 1200+ fps to see if they would take it. I got leading then.
Flat based bullets make a lot of difference when trying to seal up a bore. They don't clear a mold as easy but it's worth it to me in the accuracy and leading department.
I quit using bevel based cheapies a long time ago.

 

[Eddietruett]

I would recommend you try HyTek Coated lead. Its not much more than uncoated lead and loads and shoots much cleaner. You never have to worry about leading either. Some of the best sources I'm aware of are Missouri Bullets, SNS Casting, Summers Enterprise and Bayou Bullets. One advantage that Missouri offers is trial packs of 100 in just about every style bullet they sell. While that cost more per bullet, its a great way to try different loads without breaking the bank and winding up with a bunch of bullets that don't shoot like you hoped. I tried plated bullets and liked how clean they were, but once I tried Coated Lead there was no turning back.

 

[sparkyv]

I too have switched over (mostly) to powder coated bullets with very good results.