Cast vs Jacketed bullets

[delconed]

Hi,
I am new to this forum, and fairly new to handloading.
I reload several handgun cartridges, 380, 9mm, 357, 38spl and my old favorite, 38-40 or 38WCF. I handload mainly to save money. The factory ammo, when available, is extremely expensive. I have hundreds of rounds of good used brass for the 38-40. There aren't many loads published for the 38-40, and with the shortage in buying certain powders, I want to know if I can use a jacketed bullet of the same weight in place of a cast bullet?
I don't know why, but the published loads for cast bullets use different powders than for jacketed bullets.
I have loaded many rounds with cast bullets and I use the starting powder loads I have loaded some with slightly more, but never even close to the maximum load.
The 38-40 is a huge Colt New Service revolver in great shape. It is much heavier than even my 357's.
Thanks for your help,
Del

 

[joustin]

Jacketed and cast bullets have different powders because they both react differently to pressure and velocity. If a lead bullet is shot with a load that is too hot or fast it may cause leading in the barrel and affect accuracy. Jacketed bullets require more pressure to move down the barrel due to the jacketing material being harder than lead. Someone correct me if that statement is wrong, that is my understanding of it. At any rate lead is softer and can cause issues if driven too hard, follow the load books and keep safe.

 

[NuJudge]

The force used to drive the same diameter and weight Jacketed bullet will be more than to drive the same diameter and weight of Lead bullet down the same barrel. This being the case, a powder charge in a cartridge using a same diameter and weight Jacketed bullet leaving the same volume under the bullet in the case, should develop higher pressure than in a cartridge with the same powder charge/bullet diameter & weight/volume in the case under the bullet. A Lead bullet should develop lower.

Pay attention to the volume of the case under the bullet. If you seat a Lead bullet such that there's a lot less volume there, your pressures will be a lot higher.

As I get older, I'm less willing to stray from published loads. I also like powder charges that fill a case enough that a double charge is painfully evident.

 

[delconed]

I totally agree with staying with published loads.
I found several loads for the jacketed 180gr bullets I have, but none of the powders are available. I have to buy online and I have to pay a $25.00 Haz Mat fee plus shipping cost to ship powder and primers. I wait until I have a reasonable order under 50 lbs (I think) for one Haz Mat fee. I usually order from Natchez, they have great service. Many powders and bullets and primers are out of stock. actually lots of ammo is out also.
Anyony have any other reliable online stores for powder etc?
Thanks,
Del

 

[Jesse Heywood]

You might try www.powdervalleyinc.com. I have only bought from them in person, real good folks. They have a hard time getting primers.

For loads, you might get a copy of Pet Loads by Ken Waters.

 

[terry_p]

I think you are 180 degrees off. It does take greater pressure to move a jacketed bullet down the BBL. Agreed.

If you have exactly the same loads, bullet weights, etc then the lead loads will develop greater pressure than the jacketed bullet loads and will exit the BBL at a higher velocity. The lead loads obdurate much better and hence higher pressure. Coversely it takes more powder, hence more pressure to get identical velocities with the jacketed loads vrs the lead loads:
Here's a real example: Pages 818 and 827 in the Hornady 7th Ed manual ... 158 gr bullets in 38 Special max loads.

Powder.......Lead bullet load.....Jacketed bullet load
Bullseye......3.7 gr @ 800 fps....4.3 gr @ 800 fps
Unique........4.2 gr @ 800 fps....5.1 gr @ 800 fps
Power Pistol.5.2 gr @ 850 fps....6.0 gr @ 850 fps

 

[cheygriz]

The hardness of the lead alloy will have a significant effect as well. Gas cgheck or no gas check will effect your ability to achieve a desired charistic in a cast bullet load.

Take a look at


www.castboolits.gunloads.com

Lotsa good info on cast bullets there.