Reloading with lead bullets

[gravytrain]

What are the pro's and con's? They are obviously way cheaper but whats the catch. I'm reloading .223 .357 and 38 special fwiw.

 

[Pale Horse]

They tend to do better at lower velocities and pressures. The .38 Special and .357 were designed around lead bullets, although sometimes the .357 can get lead fouling in the bore pretty badly. I suppose you could use lead in the .223 if the bullets had gas checks, but it'd be tricky to do without a ton of fouling.

 

[gravytrain]

So you think I'd be ok shooting them in my .357/.38 spl?

 

[troy_mclure]

visit http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

the source for all your cast boolit needs.

im just starting out casting my self.

 

[gravytrain]

visit http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

the source for all your cast boolit needs.

im just starting out casting my self.

I'm not looking to cast bullets yet, I'm just getting into reloading lol
I just want to know if its safe to shoot lead bullets in my guns without doing any harm to them.

 

[toddrod]

Yes

 

[gravytrain]

Yes

 

[Tx_oil]

Cast bullets are fine, will not hurt your barrels. I would not shoot cast bullets in a .223 rifle, due to velocities and pressures, but for handguns they are fine. If you are having fouling problems, use a harder alloy and/or gas checks. I use cast bullets for .38/357, .44 mag, .45 ACP and 45 Colt, havent had any problems so far

 

[gravytrain]

Perfect, thats what I wanted to hear. Whats the word on those bayou bullets, tried them before?

 

[Tx_oil]

I've not used bayou bullets yet..have used TONS of Oregon Trail Laser cast and now Im using Missouri Bullets. (As well as plated bullets from different manufacturers)

 

[gravytrain]

I've not used bayou bullets yet..have used TONS of Oregon Trail Laser cast and now Im using Missouri Bullets. (As well as plated bullets from different manufacturers)

Which grain do you usually use for ya .38 spl and how much do they usually cost per 1000.

 

[Tx_oil]

I use 158 grain Semi wadcutters, Brinell hardness of 18, cost about $60.00/1000. You can load same bullets for .357 as well as .38 special loads. I use these for target and plinking loads.

 

[gravytrain]

Sounds good, thanks man.

 

[kz45]

Bayou bullets are good to go, and smokeless!!

 

[mineralman55]

Perfect, thats what I wanted to hear. Whats the word on those bayou bullets, tried them before?

They are exceptional. There is almost no smoke off them, and gun clean up is minimal. Accuracy is as good as or better than any other cast bullet I've used. Highly recommended.

 

[gravytrain]

Bayou bullets are good to go, and smokeless!!

Are they just cast lead covered in some sort of green covering?

 

[kz45]

Are they just cast lead covered in some sort of green covering?

Yes, cast with a coating


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS-MUUaHx78[/ame]

 

[scubasteve]

I've not used bayou bullets yet..have used TONS of Oregon Trail Laser cast and now Im using Missouri Bullets. (As well as plated bullets from different manufacturers)

,
I've used the Laser cast in the past and now shoot Bayou bullets in .38,.357,.41 and .44 . WAY better than the Laser cast. I push the bigger bullets pretty hard and have had zero problems.

 

[troy_mclure]

you can shoot cast in .223. even in the ar.

tons and tons of people do it. just have to use gas checked boolits.

check out castboolits, there's tons of pages in the reloading section on loading cast boolits for any cartridge you can think of.

 

[sraiford]

+1 for Missouri Bullets. I use them in 9mm, .40, .38spl. I have had no issues or fouling and I shoot the 9mm and .40 out of Glocks. YES I shoot lead out of Glocks with NO issues. Been doing it for 2 years now.