Cast bullets for 9mm

[vanbuzen9]

Man, I just got so many questions today! You people are great!

I would like to know the pros/cons of reloading cast bullets for 9mm, as compared to fmj's. Is there alot more barrel leading? Does one have to keep the velocity under a certain level? Please let me know of any info you guys can spare.

thanks,
vanbuzen9

[jgalar]

I haven't had problems with leading in any of my cast bullet handgun loads, but maybe I'm just lucky. The only problem I had with the 9mm that I cast was I couldn't get them to hit where my factory jacketed rounds hit. The loads were accurate enough, just hit in a different place than factory or even reloaded jacketed bullets did. Shooting cast is much cheaper than jacketed so its worth a try.

[Savage]

Van,
Keep you velocites in the 800fps range with cast bullets in the 9mm and you will have little problem with leading. Just be sure you are shooting them in a cut rifiled barrel.
Savage

[vanbuzen9]

Savage,

I don't know what you mean by "cut" rifling.  I have a Beretta 92FS, what ever rifling that has. Also, these loads that are under 800 fps, do they cycle the action? How much powder do you use, and what kinds?

thanks,
vanbuzen9

[jd45]

Savage is referring to Glock barrel rifling, which is polygonal, (is that the correct term?), altho I've heard you can safely use hard-cast lead bullets in Glock barrels with no ill effects. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, jd45

[calvon]

Go here for a very good description of the various methods for rifling barrels:

http://www.border-barrels.com/articles/bmart.htm