FMJacketed vs. Lead

[Greg Di]

Is there any reason not to shoot lead bullets through auto pistols? For general plinking and target shooting, I'm wondering if I'm just ******* money down the drain by shooting FMJ all the time.

What are the down sides to shooting lead bullets?

[LAH]

I've owned very few auto's but all I've owned shot cast well. I see no reason not to shoot them unless the manufacture says not too. Think of all the 22 auto's that shoot lead bullets..........Creeker

[Crosshair]

If the lead bullets are too soft they can deform from beeing fed in the magazine. Hard lead bullets however seem to work fine in most guns. I shoot "Laser cast" bullets through my 45 Auto with no ill effects. Just don't use lead bullets in Glocks or other such guns unless you have an aftermarket barrel that will let you use lead.

You also need to make sure that lead isn't building up. Cleaning takes care of that.

[Edward429451]

If it has polygonal rifling there may be cause not to, or if the autoloader is gas operated. Otherwise you might just be ******* money down the drain. Some will say leading is hard to clean out, but proper sizing & good lube alleviates this. Besides, copper can be a pita to clean out too.

[mjrodney]

I reload .45ACP with lead for $6.74 per 100 rounds.

One hundred rounds of .38SPL in lead for $5.66.

Any other questions? :p

[gandog56]

Have you ever looked at Precision Bullets? They have a coating that is supposed tro stop barrel leading, and don't cost that much more than lead bullets.

[Shoney]

Shooting lead in any semi-auto pistol is safe as long as you
1. use hardcast or copper plated bullets (no soft lead)
2. keep velocities under 1000fps (very hard cast lead can go faster - do search)
3. check the barrel and chamber often for leading, and clean the lead out often if it is leading (cleaning every 50 to 200 rounds is not unreasonable in Glocks)
4. do not attempt to clean lead out by shooting jacketed bullets as the cleaning tool

[Edward429451]

I reload .45ACP with lead for $6.74 per 100 rounds.

One hundred rounds of .38SPL in lead for $5.66.

Any other questions?


No, that pretty well covers it.:D

I'm thinking he priced that with new brass (or commercial cast bullets) too folks.;) They can actually be loaded for somewhat less with used brass and homecast boolits.

[Williamr]

I use cast and FMJ bullets in my pistol reloadings. Shoot both, find out the best one for your hand gun. Even try the copper plated bullets. There's bound to be something your hand gun will like.

williamr