From Copper Jacketed to Cast Lead

[BigN]

I've been reloading copper jacketed bullets since the beginning of time. I shoot a lot and in an effort to save a couple of bucks, I've been looking into switching to cast lead bullets for a few calibers. I'd be reloading cast for GP100 357, Taurus Tracker in 44 mag, and High Point auto in 40 S&W. I've been reading up on cast reloading and it's all very confusing, size or no size, lube or no lube, etc. I want to just buy cast bullets and stick them in the case and shoot them. Can I just buy bullets and load them like I load the copper ones? Any type/model I should look for in particular that I can just load without all the other hassles?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Give Missouri Bullet Company a look. Basically, buy them and load them up with a recipe from your trusty manual.

 

[Sam1911]

Yes. A big "second" to Brad and MBC.

Look over his offerings, read what he has to say about hardness and pressure/velocity, and pick a bullet that will work with a load you like.

When you get way up in the magnum loads, you might need to go to a gas-checked bullet to avoid leading, but Brad's "hardness optimized" system will help a lot.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I run MBC up to 1200 fps and have no leading issues.

 

[Sam1911]

As an example, here are three bullets that would work great in your .357: http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=10

The Bn hardness of 18 translates to working well with a pressure of about 23,000 CUP.

Look here (http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp) and find Hodgdon's load data for the 140 gr. and the 158 gr. cast bullets, and you'll see that HP-38 and 231 both give maximum loads at about 1,100 fps that would be right at that pressure level.

In the 180 gr., 700-X looks like it would work very well, though some others might work if you kept the loads lighter.

It's really nice not to have to guess, or do the trial-and-error method, to find out what loads will lead your barrel and which won't.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

I, am also a fan boy of MBC. The rule of thumb I, use is if the load is under 1,000 fps, go with a 12 bn, if over then go with an 18 bn. The size should be .001 over. This is all a rough starting point, and just like with jacketed bullet's, there is alll kind of veribles. But it will atlest get you started. As far as a powder choice goe's, there is a only one choice for the magnumes. 2400. ........... Flame suit on.

 

[Sam1911]

I think all of Brad's work and advice is intended to show that velocity isn't the deciding factor in choosing bullet hardness, and you don't have to guess at it.

Are there good magnum loads with 2400 that run below 23,000 CUP? (Not PSI, remember.)

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I like Unique for cast .44 mags. It only takes about half as much powder to do nearly the same job.

 

[oldreloader]

Yep YA can't go wrong with MBC. Great bullets and super fast shipping!

 

[armoredman]

You could try plated, too - Berry's makes some very nice inexpensive bullets. As for cast, I use a lot of them, too, but I cast my own. The equipment really isn't that expensive, and pays for itself very quickly.

 

[41 Mag]

THere are a LOT of good manufactured cast bullets out there. The key to no leading is proper size. It is VERY simple to slug your bore and mike your cylinders , so you will know what size to purchase.

Once you know the sizes you need for each, it opens up the door to a plethora of combinations. Even if your not looking to cast your own, this is a link that has about all you would ever need to know about shooting lead through your firearms,
http://Cast Bullet Articles by Glen Fryxell

It might all be a bit confusing I know, but once you get into it, it all starts to fall into place. Also you might want to do a bit of searching over on the Castboolit site as well. TONS of info there, and a great bunch of helpful folks.

My first jaunt into cast bullets left a pretty raunchy taste in my mouth about it. I ordered some bullets form a fellow, followed his guidelines for them down to even miking my revolver, and after the first 6 rounds, I had little strings of lead hanging form the end of the muzzle, and the bore was literally smooth. It took me over a week of scratching and scrubbing to get it all out. That was over 15yrs ago and the only ones I have shot since up until this year were some Oregon Trail in a 158gr RFP. I have had no issues with them, and I just started to cast my own to feed the appetite of a 454 a couple of months ago. So far so good with them and it has been a huge learning experience, but a heck of a lot of fun as well.

Good luck with yours.

 

[ironhead7544]

Concerning sizing, .001 or .002 over bore diameter is generally thought to be best. .358 for 38/357, .431 for 44 cals. Some barrels may lead badly but that can be overcome. I like the gas checked variety but they cost more. For light loads I have settled on Unique. As with any handloading you will have to experiment with your own guns. That is part of the fun.

 

[BigN]

Got my first shipment of cast bullets in from MBC for the GP100. The price was certainly right. Took some reloads to the range today. 158gr LSWC over 6.8 gr Unique w/CCI 550 primers. Very mild, more like a midrange 38. Accurate also, within 2 1/2" at 25 yards. Got home to clean my gun and the barrel wasn't any dirtier than using regular loads. Thanks for the tip. Next order to MBC for 44 mags and 40 S&W bullets. Also got to shoot my new Weatherby Mark V 257 Mag. I think it's the caliber I was missing. Got a great deal on the gun/ammo, so I couldn't turn it down. Scored big on empty brass Saturday also. Found a full box each of Remington 7 mags, 270, and 45-70 casings. There was a guy there who reloaded 45-70, so I traded him for a box of 243 casings. Great day all around!

 

[mbopp]

Welcome to the world of cast bullet reloading. That's good grouping for the 357, I have to use a lighter charge to shoot that tight in my M19. And my .45 has never seen a jacketed bullet.
So where in the Adirondacks are you? We canoe and camp around Tupper Lake.