Author Topic: Cast bullets in autos, how well does it work? (Read 1485 times)

crawford769 · « **on:** March 16, 2012, 11:50:08 AM »

I'm going to start reloading for my xd 9mm now too and am wondering if cast bullets will work well in it or if they leave too much deposit on the feed ramp or dont feed well etc, or if they work fine for plinking. if not what are some cheap plated or jacketed bullets.

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2012, 12:31:10 PM »

I don't load for 9mm, but my EAA Tanfoglio Witness Match and My buddy's kimber eat mine up with no leading issues. Make sure you get the right sized bullet for your bore. Typically you want .001 bigger than the bore slugs.

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2012, 12:44:18 PM »

Properly sized and loaded cast bullets function just like plated or jacketed bullets. I've been loading cast bullets in pistol calibers for over 45years, 9mm included. There can be some leading with some bullets, depending of bullet alloy, velocity, powder selection, rough/smooth bore, rifling type, and other factors I'm likely overlooking. A "Lewis Lead Remover" removes any residual lead until you can tune your load to eliminate it.
Savage

ShootnStr8 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2012, 01:30:36 PM »

I have used conical and round nose in 9 and 45 autos without any feed problems. I do get some key holing with the 9mm 124 gr conicals from time to time, but when they are flying straight they are nice and accurate.

Blessings!

Shootnstr8

3030guy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2012, 02:25:36 PM »

I've used them in my 380 PPK/s and they shoot fine. No excess leading in that gun/load.

Tom W. · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2012, 01:43:19 AM »

99% of my .45 acp rounds are cast. I only stop there because I acquired two partial boxes of bullets, one an XTP and the other a FMJ, but when they are gone it will be 100% cast. And I do need to get to the range....

damienph · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2012, 07:32:19 PM »

I shoot cast in 9mm, 40S&W(XD40), and 45ACP + 45AR in S&W 1937 Brazilian; all feed well, no excessive leading, accurate and cheap enough to shoot ALOT.

My 32ACP Armi Galesi shoots alot better with FMJ than lead, however.

irold · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2012, 02:41:03 PM »

I've gone to the Oregon Trail 200 SWCs in my .45 , 1911s , pushing it at 950 fps....no leading, 100% reliable , pretty accurate.
Used Barrys bullets in the past , worked well. The cast bullet from Oregon is a little less money than Barrys DS bullits.

regards , irold

S.B. · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2012, 07:48:08 AM »

I'm now 63 but, started reloading when I was around 18. The 9mm Parabellum is probably the most cantankerous cartridge I ever reloaded for? Good luck.
Steve

crawford769 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2012, 12:55:54 PM »

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to check out and price some cast bullets.

damienph · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2012, 07:03:57 AM »

irold mentioned Oregon Trail Bullets; they do make very good bullets. A few others that I have used (and still do) are Lead Head Bullets (my all around favorite), Magnus Bullets and Meister Bullets and Mastercast Bullets. Those four companies that I have had the best luck with. I have used a few others that for whatever reason I didn't like; I don't want to list them because it could be those bullets didn't do well in my guns but might be great in yours.

I shoot plain base (non gas check) in most of my handguns except for my 357 and 44 magnums, in those I only shoot GC bullets.

If shooting lead in my rifles, I only shoot GC bullets.

tacklebury · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2012, 11:24:34 AM »

Quote from: crawford769 on March 19, 2012, 12:55:54 PM

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to check out and price some cast bullets.

Mine are Dardas: http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=dardas&Category_Code=9

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2012, 11:53:21 PM »

Cast bullets can be made to run in any gun. that been said the 9s can be a bit of a headache. Most new ones are fine but theyve been made since the dawn of semi auto handguns and made in many countrys at many differnt quality levels and many old guns have improper twist rates and loose dimentions. Keep in mind that the 9 has never been toted as a match winning round. Its a self defense round and most guns chambered for it stress reliability over accuracy. So dont start loading cast 9s figureing on finding a one inch 25 yard group. Taken for what it is cast will do fine in them.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2012, 07:11:22 AM »

I've had great luck with Oregon. I shoot thousands a year in my Kimbers and have no leading issues.

rockbilly · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2012, 06:22:48 AM »

Back in another century

when I was shooting completive I put tons of .45 cast bullets down range. I had one gun strictly for hardball, the other I shot the cast wadcutters, never had a problem if I cleaned the gun well after each match and/or practice.

I haven’t cast in years, but when I did I mostly used wheel weights.

S.B. · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2012, 06:54:45 AM »

Quote from: rockbilly on March 25, 2012, 06:22:48 AM

Back in another century when I was shooting completive I put tons of .45 cast bullets down range. I had one gun strictly for hardball, the other I shot the cast wadcutters, never had a problem if I cleaned the gun well after each match and/or practice.

I haven’t cast in years, but when I did I mostly used wheel weights.

Back when I shot IPSC, I found that magazine length (mag lips are manufactured for different bullet types) and chamber ramp made a lot of difference?
Steve

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2012, 05:33:06 PM »

Had one glitch that about drove me nuts until I found the problem.

Had run a BUNCH of cast with ZERO problems and then had a break of some months and when I went back, nothing but function problems with the gun not going to battery.

FINALLY by taking the gun apart and chambering rounds in the barrel while at the bench did I find the problem.

Rounds which I knew would function, jacketed, dropped deeper into the chamber then the problem rounds, and finally I found a small lead ring at the mouth of the cases which prevented the round from fully chambering.

Still don't know why they did and then why they didn't, as other then the period of time between shooting sessions, there was no know difference in the ammo.

Clearly some problem in the loading process, one which I will be sure to watch out for in the next loading session.

It is a for sure pain in the butt to take a half gal. milk carton full of loads and on each and every cartridge remove the lead ring with a sharp knife. Yep, a pain for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other then operator error, I wouldn't keep a semi around that wouldn't use cast boolits and use them well.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2012, 05:34:39 PM »

Quote from: Darrell Davis on April 06, 2012, 05:33:06 PM

Had one glitch that about drove me nuts until I found the problem.

Had run a BUNCH of cast with ZERO problems and then had a break of some months and when I went back, nothing but function problems with the gun not going to battery.

FINALLY by taking the gun apart and chambering rounds in the barrel while at the bench did I find the problem.

Rounds which I knew would function, jacketed, dropped deeper into the chamber then the problem rounds, and finally I found a small lead ring at the mouth of the cases which prevented the round from fully chambering.

Still don't know why they did and then why they didn't, as other then the period of time between shooting sessions, there was no known difference in the ammo.

Clearly some problem in the loading process, one which I will be sure to watch out for in the next loading session.

It is a for sure pain in the butt to take a half gal. milk carton full of loads and on each and every cartridge remove the lead ring with a sharp knife. Yep, a pain for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other then operator error, I wouldn't keep a semi around that wouldn't use cast boolits and use them well.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

corbanzo · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2012, 09:23:56 PM »

I've been running dardas round nose cast bullets in my 9mm for the last five years or so. never had any leading problems at all. They shoot just fine, but as lloyd noted above, nothing about it is made to be a match winner. Great for plinking though.

If I'm gonna go really hot I load cast performance gas checked hard cast. Had them up to 2700fps without a problem. (not in a 9mm obviously)

skarke · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2012, 12:27:25 AM »

Cast bullets are wonderful. If you can find a local guy who casts them for profit and avoid shipping, they are an absolute bargain. Even having them shipped, they are a nickle per bullet or less for a 9mm.

As you develop loads, there is a balance between how much case mouth expansion is necessary to prevent bullet shaving vs wearing out your brass prematurely. I've found that chucking my case mouth chamfer tool in the drill press and lightly chamfering the inside of the cases helps the shaving issue. Lightly is the operative word.

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #20 on:** April 09, 2012, 06:40:55 AM »

Good info Sharke!

CDOC

Flynmoose · « **Reply #21 on:** April 09, 2012, 08:57:48 AM »

The only bullet I shoot in my 1911 and Encore carbine barrel is the Oregon Trail 200gr SWC.
FM

KIMBER45 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 09, 2012, 10:19:10 PM »

I shoot them in my 38,40 and 45. No problems at all. I cast my own and never had an issue.

corbanzo · « **Reply #23 on:** April 09, 2012, 10:42:44 PM »

Bevel base bullets also help with the above lead shaving deal. they arent any more expensive.

georgeinohio · « **Reply #24 on:** April 10, 2012, 02:52:48 PM »

if your shaving lead seating cast bullets you are forgetting one very important step in reloading cast bullets ,.. belling the case mouth .

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #25 on:** April 10, 2012, 11:22:05 PM »

lead shaving can also be caused by an improper fitting nose punch in your seating die. One other thing that helps avoid it is seating and crimping with two differnt dies in a differnt operation. I wouldnt recomend bevel based bullets. they can cause more problems then they fix. Most guys are alot more prone to leading using bevel based bullets. that said there no doubt easier to work with on a progressive press