Starting to reload lead bullets again?

nicadflyer · July 17, 2006, 06:54 PM

I'm thinking of starting to reload lead bullets again. I stopped about five years ago because of all the leading that I had with my .357 Mag. At that time I was loading the .357 with a .38 load and a 158 lead SWC and had a terrible time cleaning the lead out of the chambers and barrel.
I was at Sportman's warehouse and looked at Laser-cast, which claims: "Guaranteed not to lead the barrel or your money back."
I'm thinking of reloading 9mm, 40SW and 45ACP with lead
My questions are. Who has used this product and what do you think about it? Does it lead the barrel? Is it as accurate as they say?

Paul

mjrodney · July 17, 2006, 07:59 PM

I have avoided leading issues by keeping the round at or below 900 fps.

I shoot .45ACP (200g LSWC and 230g LRN) and .38 Special (148g LDEWC and 158g LSWC) without problems using any lead bullets I can find.

Favorite loads for paper punching?

2.5 of Clays for .38 Special and 3.9 of Clays for .45ACP.

Stump1 · July 17, 2006, 08:32 PM

Was there any small print about velocities? I really don't see how there wouldn't be. The most aggressive number that I've heard is 1200 fps. That seems excessive. I've gotten leading on rounds that I know were under 1000 fps.

LAH · July 17, 2006, 09:15 PM

Leading.........Here's something to think about. The 22LR bullet from a rifle probably does more than 1200 fps, plus it's a dead soft bullet with no lube groove. Speed isn't the main cause of leading........Creeker

JJB2 · July 18, 2006, 02:31 AM

my reloads for .357 magnum 150 gr lead homecast swcs are averageing right at 1232 fps..... i am thinking that is magnum velocity in a 6"handgun.... as for leading i've used a .45 caliber brass brush for years to help get the lead out..... that and good old hoppes.....

jjb

Edward429451 · July 18, 2006, 10:42 AM

Seems to me that shooting undersized bullets is the biggest contributor to leading.

skeet47 · July 19, 2006, 06:08 PM

I've been loading commercially for 27 years.I sell a ton of lead loads and it's all I shoot.A hard cast bullet will give you better accuracy and better penetration than any jacketed ones..I use then for all my autos and all my revolvers.Any good brand will work
Gekgun@yahoo.com
E-mail me for specifics if you want.

AlaskaMike · July 19, 2006, 11:12 PM

I use Lasercast 158 grain SWC in full power .357 mag loads that reach 1350 fps out of my 4" S&W Model 28 with no leading whatsoever. I shoot almost nothing but cast lead out of all my handguns and have yet to have any leading in most of them. The sole exception is my Springfield Mil-Spec in .45 acp, and the amount of leading I've seen there isn't much and cleans up easily.

Mike

July 17, 2006, 06:54 PM	#1
nicadflyer Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2006 Posts: 2	Starting to reload lead bullets again? I'm thinking of starting to reload lead bullets again. I stopped about five years ago because of all the leading that I had with my .357 Mag. At that time I was loading the .357 with a .38 load and a 158 lead SWC and had a terrible time cleaning the lead out of the chambers and barrel. I was at Sportman's warehouse and looked at Laser-cast, which claims: "Guaranteed not to lead the barrel or your money back." I'm thinking of reloading 9mm, 40SW and 45ACP with lead My questions are. Who has used this product and what do you think about it? Does it lead the barrel? Is it as accurate as they say? Paul

July 17, 2006, 07:59 PM	#2
mjrodney Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 435	I have avoided leading issues by keeping the round at or below 900 fps. I shoot .45ACP (200g LSWC and 230g LRN) and .38 Special (148g LDEWC and 158g LSWC) without problems using any lead bullets I can find. Favorite loads for paper punching? 2.5 of Clays for .38 Special and 3.9 of Clays for .45ACP. __________________ Proud supporter of the NRA

July 17, 2006, 08:32 PM	#3
Stump1 Member Join Date: March 20, 2006 Posts: 21	Small print Was there any small print about velocities? I really don't see how there wouldn't be. The most aggressive number that I've heard is 1200 fps. That seems excessive. I've gotten leading on rounds that I know were under 1000 fps.

July 17, 2006, 09:15 PM	#4
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 736	Leading.........Here's something to think about. The 22LR bullet from a rifle probably does more than 1200 fps, plus it's a dead soft bullet with no lube groove. Speed isn't the main cause of leading........Creeker __________________ Dry Creek Bullet Works Dry Creek Firewood

July 18, 2006, 02:31 AM	#5
JJB2 Junior member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Posts: 558	1200 fps is excessive?? my reloads for .357 magnum 150 gr lead homecast swcs are averageing right at 1232 fps..... i am thinking that is magnum velocity in a 6"handgun.... as for leading i've used a .45 caliber brass brush for years to help get the lead out..... that and good old hoppes..... jjb

July 18, 2006, 10:42 AM	#6
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	Seems to me that shooting undersized bullets is the biggest contributor to leading. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

July 19, 2006, 06:08 PM	#7
skeet47 Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Posts: 49	lead bullets I've been loading commercially for 27 years.I sell a ton of lead loads and it's all I shoot.A hard cast bullet will give you better accuracy and better penetration than any jacketed ones..I use then for all my autos and all my revolvers.Any good brand will work Gekgun@yahoo.com E-mail me for specifics if you want.

July 19, 2006, 11:12 PM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 838	I use Lasercast 158 grain SWC in full power .357 mag loads that reach 1350 fps out of my 4" S&W Model 28 with no leading whatsoever. I shoot almost nothing but cast lead out of all my handguns and have yet to have any leading in most of them. The sole exception is my Springfield Mil-Spec in .45 acp, and the amount of leading I've seen there isn't much and cleans up easily. Mike