Lead Rifle Bullets

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lizziedog1

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I have used factory made lead bullets for handgun reloading for years. Now I want to try and experiment with using lead bullets for some of my rifles. Maybe I should get into casting, but time and finances are not ideal at this time. I'll just try some of the premade lead bullets.

I searched the websites of some companies that make lead bullets. There is more to chose from then I thought. So I have some questions.

Which lead bullet companies have you guys had good luck with, espically with rifle bullets? What can I expect as far as accuracy as compared to jacketed bullets? Are self made lead bullets superior to factory made ones?

Thanks in advance for your feedback,
 
I have several calibers that I want to work with. I want to start with a .25-35 Winchester. I think this round would be a natural to use lead bullets for.

Beartooth Bullets has a lead, 105 grain LFN 25 caliber bullet.

Has anyone here used Beartooth Bullets?
 
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Lead bullets are more fragile, less forgiving

I don't buy cast bullets for rifles, I cast them myself. Fit of the cast bullet is much more important, and there are more important dimensions. I like to have a bullet diameter that is .001" or .002" larger than barrel groove diameter.

Overall design of a bullet has an important effect on its ability to shoot well, and each barrel has its own likes and dislikes. In general, I like bullets with a long nose that is precisely the diameter of the barrel's land diameter ("bore rider"). Some people, especially speed demons, like a bullet that is essentially all lubricant grooves (first designed by a guy named Loveren).

When I push a bullet faster, it is important that the front of the bullet be supported by the throat and maybe the rifling during the firing of the cartridge. This prevents it from bending in the middle during firing, and giving you a flyer. I cast my bullets HARD, so they are likely to bend less, and I try to seat bullets slightly into the rifling for manually operated firearms.

Lubricant quality is more important the higher the velocity of the bullet, and if you are pushing a rifle bullet anywhere near as fast as jacketed velocities, your lubricant better be really good. Commercial bullet manufacturers tend to use harder lubricants that stay in bullet grooves well during transport, and my general impression of them is that they don't do well at higher velocities.

Gas checks really don't seem to do anything to stop gas blow by, they are a structural support for the base, and are very important at velocities above about 1200 fps.
 
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.25-35 Winchester- Hodgdons website shows loads for a 90 GR. LFP W/GCK . Its nice to have load data available. This is a gas checked bullet. Velocity in the 1200 to 1400 fps range. A plain base bullet may be able to withstand the pressure/fps with the correct alloy. Bullet diameter for lead is .001" to '002" larger than jacketed bullet. You will need a Lyman "M" die for bottle neck rounds, this is to keep from shaving lead on seating of the bullet. Accuracy of lead can be about the same as jacketed if done correctly in 30-30 type rounds. IMO. I know nothing of your .25-35 Winchester. Hope this helps. You can find more info here, some good, some not so good. > http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8 castmine.gif
 
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