Speer lead pistol bullets

[Quoheleth]

Was at Carter's Country this morning. Usually I don't buy bollits there - can get them cheaper elsewhere. However, since they had boxes on the floor and I had to step around them, I looked at what was down there - 500 count boxes of SPEER lead pistol bullets.

I found these:
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/bullet_detail.aspx?id=218 - 125 gr. 9mm and

.358 - 148 gr. bevel base wadcutter (part 4606, but don't see it on the SPEER website).

Each box was a little over $23 - the 9mms were a little more, but not much. They had some HBWCs in .358, but I prefer the solids.

Anyhow, anyone have experience loading SPEER lead? Shoot pretty well? Any recipies for either Titegroup and Hodgen Universal Clays to try with the 9mm?

Q

 

[LeonCarr]

The Speer Lead Pistol Bullets shoot very well, especially the .38 148 HBWC. As far as the 125 9mm, I would consult the loading manuals and choose the lightest powder charge that will both cycle the pistol and provide good accuracy. The Speer bullets, being swaged lead, will lead the barrel badly if driven above 1000 fps.

I grew up about an hour north of Houston, and bought 99% of my reloading stuff at the Carter's Country on Treaschwig. I bought Speer HBWCs 1000 at a time sometimes 2000 .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[RON in PA]

In my experience Speer swaged lead bullets are excellent. I've used the .358 158 grain LSWC and the 148 grain bevel based wadcutter (unfortunately discontinued). When loaded to normal velocities I've found leading to be minimal and accuracy equal to anything else I've used.

 

[evan price]

I load 4.4 of Titegroup under a 9mm 125 lead hardcast round nose. That's max and for jacketed, but my alloy is hard and I don't get leading- a caveat, if your alloy is not as hard, it may cause leading, so check for yourself. If you can scratch it easily with your fingernail, it's not hard alloy, so decrease charges. 4.0 of Titegroup worked for softer alloy in my experience.

 

[Quoheleth]

and the 148 grain bevel based wadcutter (unfortunately discontinued)

Maybe that explains why they were "cheap" for Carter's - most of their other lead boolits were $5-10 more per 500-count box.

Hey...I got a deal, so I am not complaining!

Quick question - can load data for 148 gr. lead BBWCs be interchanged with lead HBWCs?

Q

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, but only for light & mid-level target loads.

There is a risk of blowing the center out of a HBWC and sticking a bullet skirt with high-velocity self-defense SBWC load data you might see here & there.

Stick with target load data and you will be fine.

rcmodel

 

[PO2Hammer]

Speer 148 grain HBWC's have shot well for me in .357 brass.

 

[Quoheleth]

Yes, but only for light & mid-level target loads. There is a risk of blowing the center out of a HBWC and sticking a bullet skirt with high-velocity self-defense SBWC load data you might see here & there. Stick with target load data and you will be fine.

rcmodel

Right...I phrased my question VERY poorly. What I meant was can I use the data for HBWCs and apply it to BBWCs, not necessarily the other way around. I've been warned about overloading HBWCs. I have a couple hundred in a box in my garage, and am waiting to load them until I become more proficient at this hobby.

Thanks, rcmodel.

Q

 

[RON in PA]

In Speer reloading manuals the BBWCs are listed with higher powder charges than the HBWCs. For instance I've used 4.4 grains of 231 with a BBWC, I suspect that load might is way over for a HBWC.

 

[DMZ]

I bought a box of Speer 148 gr .358 BBWC a year or so ago, for $20. I don't think they make them anymore.

Nonetheless, I have used Unique, Universal and Titegroup with them. While all my results were outstanding, based on my notes, I would give the nod to Universal as my powder of choice.

Reloading notes:

There is a crimp groove just below the top of the bullet. I use a light roll crimp into it, as opposed to loading them flush with the case mouth.

 

[Encoreman]

Hi Jon, Where do you buy bullets cheaper than that? If it is near Houston, let me know and I will pick-up some when I go there. See Ya Mac

 

[Quoheleth]

Hi, Mac. Carters is usually high on their reloading components, esp. compared to various internet places, and usually only carry main name-brand stuff (Nosler, Speer, Hornady). I usually only buy powder and primers there. I ordered my last large order of bullets from missouri bullet company last fall - his prices were about $26/500 after S&H. He Brownell hardness indexes his bullets for the application. I like his extra-hard .357 magnum SWCs for magnum loads. No lead scrubbing!

The Speer 9mms I bought at Carters the other day were over $35 - I mis-read the receipt - but I wanted to try a few lead bullets before a placing a large order, only to find my auto didn't like lead.

The 148 .358 wadcutters must have been "clearanced" because a) Speer supposedly doesn't carry that anymore and b) the price was only $21.

Carters carries 230 grain .45s that are made locally by Houston Bullet Company, but I can't find any info on the web about them. Don't know if HBC makes other bullets, or just those .45s.

Looking forward to seeing you in a week. Holler at me when you get in town.