Author Topic: Hard -vs- Soft cast bullets per load? (Read 710 times)

hardertr · « **on:** April 12, 2005, 02:57:08 PM »

I don't cast, but am going to place an order for most of my pistols. I am planning to order form a company that offers a choice of soft or hard cast. Soft being 12 and hard being 19 on the Brinnel scale.

Here's my question....

When would I want "hard" and when would "soft" be a better choice??

I've heard the soft is better for the 45 ACP because of the low preasure...any suggestions for:

9mm from a carbine
38/357 Mag from a 6" barrel
40 S&W from a 5" barrel
40 S&W from a carbine
44 Mag from a 8 3/4" barrel
45 ACP

Also...any suggestions on when to choose a moly and grease lubed bullet over a plain lubed bullet?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Terry

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2005, 01:11:23 PM »

if they truely are 12bhn then there probably wheelweight or a simular alloy and will do good at any handgun velocity.

hylander · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2005, 06:31:02 PM »

Howd'y Hardertr:
I'm thinking your going to order from Northeastern Bullet Company.(Yes)?
I just placed an order with them today.
For my .357 Flat Top and my .45 Vaquero, I ordered the soft 12bh.
with grease only. I already have some Bear Creek Bullets that are Moly so I want to compair the differance.
I will be shooting up to 1000 FPS from both.
I have beeen using soft cast in my 1911 at about 950 FPS with Excellant results.
If your going to be pushing those Carbine's or .44 Mag to say
over 1,250 fps then I'd go to the 19BH with Grease or Grease/Moly.
I am kinda new to cast bullet shooting except for my 1911, but this is
my experiance so far and seems to be the consencess with most that I have spoke with.

hardertr · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2005, 06:43:38 PM »

Thanks hylander!

Yes, I am planning an order from Northeastern. I am planning to give cast bullets a try just to save a few bucks.

Thanks for your help! For those prices, I think I'll order bullets for all of my pistols just to try them out.

hardertr · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2005, 02:30:09 PM »

Hylander,

Did you get a chance to shoot any of those Northeasterns yet?? Are you happy with them?

I STILL haven't place my order yet, but I plan to this weekend.

w30wcf · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2005, 07:04:18 AM »

My experience with rifle loads up to 1,400 f.p.s. with plain based bullets indicates that 12 b.h.n. bullets are best.

If the bullet wears a gas check, bullet hardness doesn't matter much unless one is going faster than 1,800 f.p.s., in which case you would be better seved with bullets of over 16 b.h.n.

w30wcf