Recommended cast bullets

[swiss_seth]

Just a quick introduction, I meant to join 8 months ago but never got the chance. I reload 10mm, 45 ACP, 9mm and 5.56 all on a RL550B. I usually post on HKPRO and SigForum - Reloading forum


I just wanted to ask if anyone has had the chance to use Mastercast bullets out of Enon Valley, PA?

I started reloading cast with Missouri Bullet Company and bought 1000 45 ACP 230 ball and 500 9mm in 147 and 125


I have to say that for whatever reason I had a good bit of leading with MBC out of my Colt 1911 Gov't Model. As far as 9mm I was shooting a Sig 226 and MP5/ MP5K-PDW and had only minor leading.


The 45 was so bad that I had actually started to use Lewis Lead Remover which takes patients and a bit or elbow grease. I find that annoying.

After reading posts on this site I discovered Big Frontier bore cleaner strands/pads which is like chorboy and removes leading in 1-3 passes, AWESOME stuff.

But I got sick of the leading and found a local company (about 50 miles from where I live) that sells hard case bullets. I was shocked at the quality compared to the MBC as the Mastercast bullets are noticeably better as far as not having tacky lube and the alloy looks to be better than MBC but I know that is subjective as I have no scientific way of testing it.


The proof in the pudding for me was at least 90% less leading out of my 45 with the Mastercast bullets. I really love these bullets. So far I have loaded up 10mm, 45 ACP and 9mm with no issues and they were all great quality, properly sized and with lube in place and not tacky.


I just want to put a positive review out for them because they make some great stuff. Here are some picture comparisons between MBC and Mastercast, not much to look at other that the lube and maybe that it looks like Mastercast tumbles their final product to polish. (im guessing on this)




*** First picture is MBC 45 230 gr




*** Second picture is Mastercast 185 SWC





Hopefully that helps some people looking for different options for cast bullets.

I know the next time I am getting paid I will be buying a coupe thousand from Mastercast so I have some rounds for winter!

 

[ljnowell]

Those don't look like any bullets I have EVER gotten from MBC. Interesting that your first post wasnt to ask for help with leading, but to bash a manufacturer that you never contacted about their product. Hmmmm.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Those don't look like any bullets I have EVER gotten from MBC. Interesting that your first post wasnt to ask for help with leading, but to bash a manufacturer that you never contacted about their product. Hmmmm.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who became suspicious reading this. I'm not saying MBC is perfect, they are human, but they seem to make things right if they send you a bad product. The OP didn't state anything about trying different charges or seating depths or anything else. Any reloader with an ounce of experience knows there's no universal load that works great with every firearm.

Also, in my experience, tumbling boolits makes them dull, not shiny. MBC's lube has been no more tacky than other lubes, for me.

 

[Katitmail]

To me MBC stuff shoot well, but I noticed exact same thing as OP. Yesterday at match I saw a guy with reloads and he said it was MBC. His bullets looked clean and shiny. 2 times I ordered bullets from MBC they were dull with excess lube on tops, etc.

I blame shortage, I bought stuff when they were trying to catch up with demand, maybe that's why.

 

[longdayjake]

The dullness is caused during shipping. The bullets get bumped and vibrated and thrown around by the post office. That explains why your local bullets are a bit shinier. Also, it is unfair to compare two different bullets as it is very possible that MBC's 185's do the exact same for you as the MC. I make hard cast bullets and I can tell you that most casters get their lead from the exact same foundry and they get very similar mixtures. That said, some companies prefer a very hard bullet whereas others do a softer bullet. That doesn't always translate into a better bullet either way. Different guns prefer different hardness, diameter, weight, profile, etc. I am a little bit curious as to what lube MC uses that is less "tacky" than blue angel. We use the same lube as MBC and ours are not what I would consider tacky.

My guess is the experience you are having with mastercast bullets has more to do with them being local. They don't get all tumbled around like they would if they were shipped across the US. The leading? I can't say why yours are leading so much without knowing diameter size or hardness.

This is how shiny they would look right after they come out of the lube master. It only goes downhill from there.

 

[swiss_seth]

I knew this wouldnt be received well but I was just stating my first hand account of what happened to me.

I couldnt care less about how shiny the bullets are however I do care about bullet trimming slop which leaves bits of lead on the bottom of the bullet, sloppy lube application and leading. All of which I had with MBC and none of which I experienced with Mastercast. I bought 1000 45, 500 9mm 147 and 500 9mm 125. Like I said the 9mm wasnt bad just the lube was sloppy.

I bought these back in March when it was taking 5-8 weeks to get orders. It took forever to get my 45 ACP in the beginning so maybe there were just pushing out the orders as fast as possible and has some QC issues.

What I know for a fact is my first hand experience and I wasnt about to call and complain after I waited 6 weeks for bullets. I was just happy to find a local PA company that made great stuff so I can get to support them.


Sorry to ruffle feathers but I am just sharing my experience and in case you're wondering and I dont have a pony in this race, I just shoot and reload and have no connection to Mastercast, MBC or any others FYI so I am not getting anything to post my opinions. I just noticed that hardly anywhere in any forums do people mention Mastercast and they make wonderful products. If you don't believe me order 500 and you will see what I mean. Very good stuff.

Thanks!

 

[ljnowell]

A local PA company huh? Sounds eerily familiar.

Its certainly not a failure of the company that you couldnt make a load that works. Definitely not when so many others here use the same bullet.

To me the whole thing stinks of a PA caster who loves to try and back on MBC. Any of us that have been around here for any amount of time know who I am talking about and probably remember it.

 

[swiss_seth]

A local PA company huh? Sounds eerily familiar.

Its certainly not a failure of the company that you couldnt make a load that works. Definitely not when so many others here use the same bullet.

To me the whole thing stinks of a PA caster who loves to try and back on MBC. Any of us that have been around here for any amount of time know who I am talking about and probably remember it.

what are you talking about?

I met the guy and he doesnt seem like as sleaze. Plus his prices are fair and quality is good.

What am I missing?


Also my load was fine and by the book/reloading manual. One created leading and one didnt with the same recipe. You explain that to me...

 

[longdayjake]

Also my load was fine and by the book/reloading manual. One created leading and one didn't with the same recipe. You explain that to me...

Not entirely sure why you would use the same recipe for two vastly different bullets. I hope that is not really the case.

Also, I know the history of a certain PA caster but I don't think that is what is going on here. From what I can see he is probably just a little less experienced reloader. As he gets more time behind the press and into the manuals he will realize that very small changes in his loading practices can change leading here and there and it most probably has nothing to do with the bullet. Let's not chase him off because of his inexperience. That is why people come here. To learn and have a good time.

 

[777funk]

www.bulletworks.com in TX makes a great product. I was glad to find these guys. Their lube is smoky as any lube out there will be but they work great.

 

[moxie]

I've never seen any cast bullets by any maker as ratty as in the first pic, especially from MBC.

 

[longdayjake]

I've never seen any cast bullets by any maker as ratty as in the first pic, especially from MBC.

The picture was too blurry to really see anything wrong with them. They just look like they were shipped by an angry postal worker to me.

 

[swiss_seth]

Not entirely sure why you would use the same recipe for two vastly different bullets. I hope that is not really the case.

Also, I know the history of a certain PA caster but I don't think that is what is going on here. From what I can see he is probably just a little less experienced reloader. As he gets more time behind the press and into the manuals he will realize that very small changes in his loading practices can change leading here and there and it most probably has nothing to do with the bullet. Let's not chase him off because of his inexperience. That is why people come here. To learn and have a good time.

I am talking about the same loads between 230 gr LRN bullets, not the ones pictured.

I loaded 230 gr LRN MBC and 230 gr LRN mastercast and the MBC left tons of leading the other didn't, thats all I was saying. It was the same recipe/poweder/ OAL etc.

I didnt load the 185's to the same spec as 230's. lol

 

[swiss_seth]

here are some more photos I just took because of lighting etc. from the first pics. I want to be as accurate as possible.

147 gr 9mm from MBC are okay but lube is still tacky and all over the bullets instead of just in the lube channel:



These are the 230 gr 45, tacky lube and the bottom of the bullets arent trimmed well as there is leading sticking out etc. I didnt have great accuracy with these and I am guessing that may have been part of it.



these are the mastercast 185 SWC 45. I like them very much.



Pics of the boxes



147



230



185




I dont have any of the master cast 230's as I shot them all after not using the MBC's


For the record I have no problems with the 147 or 125 9mm

 

[longdayjake]

I agree that some of those bases on the MBC are quite deformed. That isn't an issue with trimming but rather an issue with worn out moulds being used long after they are no good anymore. That was probably a QC issue during the huge rush on products that is more than likely fixed by now. I'm not positive, but having uneven bases may very well be the cause of all the leading as well.

 

[ljnowell]

I agree that some of those bases on the MBC are quite deformed. That isn't an issue with trimming but rather an issue with worn out moulds being used long after they are no good anymore. That was probably a QC issue during the huge rush on products that is more than likely fixed by now. I'm not positive, but having uneven bases may very well be the cause of all the leading as well.

And if the OP had a shred of decency he would call Brad and tell him before posting it here.

Funny, OP, you werent going to bother calling the owner and telling him(i would bet he would willingly replace them free) but you will take the time to bash them on here? Class, all the way.

 

[swiss_seth]

I wasnt bashing all the bullets, just the 230's, 9's were fine

If this is a freak occurrence than it shouldnt matter because MBC stuff is great. I was just posting this based on my experience from ordering two 500 packs of 230's two different times and getting bullets with issues.

So anyway just giving my review of bullets, thats all. Sorry so many people didnt want to see an honest review based on my experience.

 

[Walkalong]

Call MBC and let them make it right. Every company lays an egg now and then. MBC has a great reputation for customer service. Give them a chance to make it right.