Shot some LEAD bullets from a revolver yesterday

[bersaguy]

I've had some of the best accuracy out of my Sistema 1911 with cast bullets. Yes...there was some leading and smoke, but tore a ragged hole in the target at 25 yards. All that just makes me want to get into casting, find the right mix of size, hardness, lube and velocity that produces a round that does not lead, but is still accurate. Just acquired a lead pot and moulds from a member here and am looking forward to trying my hand at casting

 

[SamT1]

Once there’s something that performs better all around than lead lubed bullets I might would switch.
I don’t have leading in barrels to clean out, but all the lube goo is really easy to clean. I use Lyman moly. My hands are usually dirty anyway so handling them is no problem. I like the small amount of smoke that comes off them it’s kinda like paper shotshell hulls.

I really love how I can punch perfect holes in paper, not tear up steel targets, and kill game all with the same bullet at a near free price.

 

[Toprudder]

Yes. they have a "odor" but not that bad/ Ever shoot some of the foreign 22lr? Cordite or similar smell.

Some of those cheap 22s do really stink.

The smell from the Hitech coated bullets is not bad at all, it is just the fact that it has a faint burnt electronics smell that I have become very sensitive to from years of electronics work. The first time I took some of those Bayou bullets to the range, I was the only one there, and I kept smelling it and thought my chrono was causing it, then I thought it was coming from my car. I stopped shooting a couple of times just to walk around and see where the smell was coming from. Then I finally realized it was from the bullets.

 

[RealGun]

What powder were you using? Some run hot and cause more smoke burning the lube.

I find some powders are too fast burning and cook the bullets. For example, I stopped using Unique and went to AA#7 and BE-86. Slower burning powder did make a difference, so I am speculating for exactly why. Worth a try. I also went to Brinell 12 bullets rather than 15+, even for substantial velocity levels, and believe I got a better gas seal in the bore, very little leading near the forcing cone that brushed right out. All of my guns have reamed throats, routed immediately to my gunsmith when acquired. Most guns right from the box are not tuned to shoot lead bullets, which are slightly larger in diameter. I use cowboy dies too, because those are for lead bullet diameters. Testimony about ...oh no, it doesn't... does not correspond with my real experience. I solved my leading issues by changing the gun and using the optimal dies and powder choices with softer bullets. I get some smoke but it is not a problem, when there is any air movement, and it sure is nothing like black powder or the substitutes I see fired at cowboy matches.