Question About Using Cast Bullets in .357 Mag.

[Patriot_1776]

I have some Laser Cast bullets on the way, as well as a general idea of what powders to start with.  Having used Alliant's 2400 before with jacketed bullets, and good results, I've read this burns at a higher temperature than other powders.  My question is will this cause some leading to occur, in spite of the fact these are cast bullets? 

Also, is there a better recommended powder to use for cast bullets loaded in this cartridge?  I'm not looking to smoke whatever I hit, just a nice .357 Magnum load for all around target work is what I'll try to find.

Any ways to avoid leading with cast bullets (if leading is possible,) are appreciated.  I'm hoping for 1150fps. or so with 158gr. cast bullets; the bbl. length is 4" if that helps.  Thanks for any input on this matter.

[Buford]

Any lead bullets will cause leading when pushed - invest in a Lewis Lead Remover - Brownells sells them - use it from time to time.  It physically removes the lead from the barrel - good shooting.

[jpsmith1]

I've used 2400, WC-820, and H-110 in the .357 with cast bullets (as if there were any others).  I get very little leading and do not clean my gun religiously.  I'll probably start WWIII here, but about all that I do is yank a bore-snake through it and rub it down with and oily rag and toss it back in the drawer.  Maybe once a year, it gets a full strip and clean.

If you get a load that leads up, the best cure that I've found is a couple of >shudder< jacketed bullets.  The copper alloy jacket seems to wipe lead off of the barrel quick.  I've 'cleaned' a barrel with a cylinder full of jacketed loads faster than anything.

You can usually prevent leading with gas check type bullets or a harder alloy, but buying commercially cast bullets doesn't give you much control over the make-up of the bullets.

[Patriot_1776]

Thanks for the quick replies so far.  Inevitably the fact remains then that any lead bullet, swaged (especially) or cast will cause leading to some degree?  The jacketed bullet idea is not all too new to me.  I feel it won't cause a problem, provided the build up is not serious.  Even so, I would use jacketed bullets loaded in 38 Specials first, then "deep clean" with the magnums afterwards.    

Either way, the Lewis Lead Remover does sound like a good idea to me.

[jpsmith1]

Basically, yes.  In fact, some leading is REQUIRED for optimum accuracy.  Like jacketed bullets in a rifle, they will shoot differently unless there is some lead fouling.

It sounds like you've got a plan worked out.  Good luck.

[Gregory]

IIf you get a load that leads up, the best cure that I've found is a couple of >shudder< jacketed bullets.  The copper alloy jacket seems to wipe lead off of the barrel quick.  I've 'cleaned' a barrel with a cylinder full of jacketed loads faster than anything.

That's what I do to clean lead out of a barrel too, just shoot a cylinder full of jacketed bullets through the gun.

2400 and Unique are good powders for lead bullets.

[Haywire Haywood]

One of the keys to preventing leading is to use the proper diameter bullets.  They should be 1 to 2 thou over groove diameter.  Skinny bullets with poor lube will get you leaded up in a hurry.  Most of the lube commercial places use is hard and waxy to keep it in the grooves during storage and handling and is not the best stuff for high velocity loads.  I have on occasion supplemented their lube by rolling my store bought bullets in Lee Liquid Alox and then wiping the tips off after they were loaded so they wouldn't be sticky.

Ian

[Catfish]

I shot the Lazer Cast bullets and not had a problem with leading. Your barrel may be rougher than mine and you may get some, but like mentioned perviously, a cylinder of jacketed bullets should clean it all out. If your wanting sume cast bullets that will not lead try some Lead Head gas checked bullets. I`ve pushed them to 2,500 fps. in a rifle with no sign of leading.

[Don Fischer]

I have some Laser Cast bullets on the way, as well as a general idea of what powders to start with.  Having used Alliant's 2400 before with jacketed bullets, and good results, I've read this burns at a higher temperature than other powders.  My question is will this cause some leading to occur, in spite of the fact these are cast bullets? 

Also, is there a better recommended powder to use for cast bullets loaded in this cartridge?  I'm not looking to smoke whatever I hit, just a nice .357 Magnum load for all around target work is what I'll try to find.

Any ways to avoid leading with cast bullets (if leading is possible,) are appreciated.  I'm hoping for 1150fps. or so with 158gr. cast bullets; the bbl. length is 4" if that helps.  Thanks for any input on this matter.

I don't have any 357's any more, not a real big handgun guy anyway. When I had them, I tired of the recoil and started shooting 38's with 148gr cast wadcutters in them. Don't get much more accutate, or cheap, than that. Now I have a 32 long and a 38 Spec. I shoot. The 38 is a heavy 38/44 Smith & Wesson and it loves 155gr HP's cast from wheel weights.

[BCB]

Patriot_1776,
These comments may go again the grain a bit, but it is what I have found to be the case with my personal experiences.  I really don’t know much about the Laser Cast Bullets.  Are they a bevel base and what is their BHN?  These 2 factors will be important as to whether or not you get much leading.  I have had problems with BB bullets and I don’t even have anymore in my reloading room!!!
I shoot the Lyman 358429 Keith-style bullet from my 357’s.  My Ruger Security-six does very well with them.  The bullet weighs in at around 170 grains and I am able to get 1192-1245 fps depending on the powder selection.  This is a flat base bullet.  I think the BB bullets allow fire/heat to start around the bullet base and this leads to leading.  Some will disagree for sure!  If the bullet is hard BHN > 20, you might be O.K.  I use AL-8 (Blue Dot burn rate), WC-680, and H-110.  I have never had good luck with 2400 although that is the ol’ Elmer standby.  Other cast bullets that I shoot are gas checked types.  The check certainly helps eliminated leading as there is a distinct abrupt front edge of it that will fill the groove after the lead bullet has passed.  This most likely helps to “swipe” the lead forward and eventually out of the barrel.  And again, it is my opinion that firing jacketed bullets through a barrel to help remove lead, caused lead to be much more difficult to remove!!!  I literally packs it tighter into the rifling/groove junction.  I think the reason for this is the fact that the front of the jacketed bullet is tapered and does not have a distinct edge to scrape the lead in front of the bullet.  It works like a putty knife spreading putty or a similar compound.  I clean using J&B Bore Compound, Sweets 7.62, and a steel brush.  Sometimes I rap a piece of a copper cleaning pad around the brush.  This really aids in lead removal.  I clean as seldom as necessary.  I have a Remington 700 (270 Winchester) and a T/C Contender (7-30 Waters) that get cleaned every several hundred rounds of cast slugs.  I usually just run a dry cloth through the bore after shooting.
Again, these are just my thoughts and may be disagreed upon by some—maybe many!  Good-luck…BCB