cast bullets

[bentwrench]

I found a gun range close to home that allows you to shoot just about anything you want at the outdoor range,but only lead cast bullets in the indoor range.I usaully shoot american eagle ball ammo out of my pistols.but they say the indoor can't handle jacketed ammo.how do you folks feel about practicing(at least in the winter mos.) with pure lead bullets?one of my concerns is lead fouling another is availability and price.
the bentwrench

 

[ribbonstone]

Their range..their rules.

"Pure lead" would be a bad choice...typical alloyed lead sold by most commercial csters has worked fine for me, as have my home-cast. Only "trick" is to look for bullets a little larger than jacketed bullets...in 9mm, will look for a .356-.357" bullet.

Nope..can't just crunch a cast bullet on top of a load worked up fro jacketed bullets and expect it to work well...need to work up a cast bullet load for your cast bullets (try a Lyman Manual...cast bullets...they don't make jacketed bullets or powder, so tend to consentrate on waht they do best).

Commercially made ammo with lead bullets? Would have to find a commercial reloader.

 

[MCgunner]

I shoot gas checked 158 grain SWCs from a Lee mold to 1500 fps in my revolvers and 1900 fps in my carbine with no leading. I cast 'em of wheel weights and add some tin when I have it.

All my practice reloads in .45ACP and .38/.357 are cast bullets. I don't have a decent mold in 9mm, but do size a 105 SWC .358 bullet to .356 and it shoots good in light 9mm or .380. I don't worry about leading. If the barrel leads at all, a little scrubbing and a few jacketed bullets through it will clean it out.

My most accurate bullet is a 148 grain Lee wadcutter in .358. I size it to .357, tumble lube it, and load it in .38s for my favorite .38 practice round. It shoots under an inch out of a ransom rest at 25 yards in my two .357 revolvers.

I don't shoot many jacketed reloads. I used to in 9mm, but then now days 9mm is so cheap at Walmart for Remington UMC or Winchester USA, I just buy the stuff. No rules like that at my range, shoot what you want.

 

[M2 Carbine]

For every jacketed pistol bullet I've shot, I've probably shot more than a hundred cast lead bullet reloads.

I hand load jacketed bullets by the hundreds and load lead bullets by the thousands.

I much perfer shooting lead bullets to jacketed bullets for practice.

 

[355sigfan]

I use laser cast bullets in my 45 acp and 38 loads with no problems with leading and accuracy and reliablity is great.
Pat

 

[Ala Dan]

I use the hard cast lead bullets that are available from Magnus Bullets
of Toney, AL. As a back-up supplier, Roze Distributors in Cullman, AL
sells cast bullets as manufactuered by Zero Bullet's~! Normally, I
keep my handloads too less than 1,000 fps to aid in lead fouling.

 

[Steve 48]

I use lead bullets from Leadheads. There a very hard cast and you can shoot them very fast. I like their gas checked bullets the best. Steve 48

 

[bpisler]

I'am another one that shoots mostly
cast bullets.I buy mine locally and
use either Lareda bullets or bear
creek which are moly coated.The moly
coated bear creeks are great,no smoke
ot leading even at near max speeds.
The Laredo make great midrange loads
but can be a little smokey.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I shoot exclusively cast bullets -- except for self-defense, and then I have a cast bullet load that duplicates my carry load for practice.

I do buy cast bullets -- but I often simply cast my own, out of straight wheel-weights and lube with liquid Alox.

 

[bowfin]

Bentwrench,

Are you a reloader? I am guessing not, so you are probably looking for lead bullet ammunition, correct?

Let us know so we can make either reloading recommendations or ammunition recommendations.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Roze Distributors in Cullman, AL
sells cast bullets as manufactuered by Zero Bullet's~

I'm pretty sure that all Zero lead bullets are swaged - much softer than cast...can't drive them too fast.

Roze sells lead reloads - http://208.178.180.130/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ROZE&Category_Code=ZAR

Also - http://www.nsksales.com/ who specializes in Bullseye target loads

and Georgia Arms - http://www.georgia-arms.com/pistol.htm

/Bryan

 

[bentwrench]

reloader?

no i'm not a reloader.not yet anyway.the ro i spoke to sunday said pure lead but i think he just meant no jacketed ammo.
if i start shooting at this range i'll be looking for loaded ammo.i don't know whats available locally but i have seen any rounds like this in the regular shops.thanks for all the input from you guys
the bentwrench

 

[mainmech48]

The good news is that there're lots of commercial sources for "remanufactured" ammo with cast bullets in virtually all common handgun calibers.

The bad news is that they're often little if any cheaper than new generic ball in semi-auto calibers.

If you're looking to do a good deal of shooting with one specific caliber for the absolute low-buck, consider becoming a reloader. Commercially cast bullets can be had in quantity from local sources in most areas by checking out the shows and larger retail gun and reloading supply shops. Ditto brass, primers and powder. In most cases local sources are more economical in the longer run than most mail order outfits when you factor-in shipping and HazMat costs, IMO.

A basic progressive press outfit like a Dillon Square Deal B or Lee Pro-1000, a powder scale (balance or electronic), a dial or vernier calipher, and a manual will pay for themselves in less time than you'd imagine. I suggest a progressive because, once you've settled on a "standard" load, you can produce enough ammo to supply all of your practice or training needs with the least possible time and effort. An hour or so on a typical progressive press will crank out enough to fuel an average Saturday and then some.