New to loading with lead....

DBAR · September 24, 2009, 01:49 PM

I've been loading for about 7 years, and I've always loaded (.45acp) with plated, or jacketed bullets. I'm considering loading with lead, and I've heard good things about Missour Bullet Company. Their local, and have a good reputation.

Here's my question.

What do I need to know about loading lead. Do I have to lube the bullets? Looks like they have the wax ring aruond them already. I've got load data, so that's ok. I just need to know the simple does, and dont's about loading with lead. I'll also take in tips on cleaning too. I've got a Kimber 1911, and a SIG P220 SAO that I'll be loading for.

I appreciate any input, and thanks in advance.

DBAR

Farmland · September 24, 2009, 01:54 PM

I use their 45's all the time. Nothing special just follow your load books. However you may have to provide a larger bell on the case if you are shaving some lead.

These bullets are pre-lubed so there is no need to lube.

One other thing you may have to clean your dies a little more often if the lube starts to gum them up.

DBAR · September 24, 2009, 02:14 PM

Thank you Farmland, that's what I was thinking, but wanted to be sure.

DBAR

chris in va · September 24, 2009, 09:39 PM

Understand that lead, lubed bullets will smoke a LOT when fired, even with clean powder. I was quite shocked how bad my first reloads belched smoke at the indoor range with Universal and 9mm cast bullets. The people at the other stalls were waving their hands around trying to clear the air.

Doby45 · September 24, 2009, 09:50 PM

Spoken for truth. My 40 with blue lube and Universal smokes like an old black powder muzzle loader.

Sevens · September 24, 2009, 10:11 PM

Lots of good info already in this thread. Lead bullets are a dying breed on most indoor ranges due to the fact that their use makes the air filtration system work much, much harder. Many indoor ranges have simply banned their use.

When you start, make sure to check your bore after so many rounds to see what kind of buildup of lead you may be getting. Barrels build up with lead for a couple different reasons but the bottom line is the same-- a leaded up barrel is getting incrementally smaller and continuing to push bullets through it is asking for trouble because the pressure escalates as the lead builds up.

You will likely have to do more scrubbing to get your bore clean after a range session with lead bullets, but it doesn't have to be that bad. Do NOT shoot any jacketed bullets through your handgun after shooting a bunch of lead until you've scrubbed and cleaned the bore. A jacketed bullet going over a bunch of lead in a barrel can make an already difficult cleaning job next to impossible.

With all that said, I load cast lead in 9, .38, 10mm, .44 Mag and .45 Auto. If I could find the #@$%'ers, I'd try it in .30 Carb, too. I load and shoot a lot of cast lead and use them more than jacketed.

QBall45 · September 25, 2009, 08:48 AM

Watch that you expand/bell your case enough but not too much. Not enough will shave lead from the bullet.
Taper crimp is more necessary with lead than jacketed. Be sure to apply enough crimp.
Seating die. Be sure to clean the junk out of your seating die every now and then. Lube will bluid up inside the die causing OAL to change. Pull the die apart and clean it.

Watch for load build up in your barrel as you work up your loads.

I've got no special cleaning tips for ya. As I have yet to have a problem with leading in my barrel. I clean as normal with Hoppies #9.

Shooting cast lead is much cheaper than using fmj's. Next thing ya know...you'll be looking for tips on casting your own. That's fun as well. Makes shooting even cheaper.

Crosshair · September 25, 2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Spoken for truth. My 40 with blue lube and Universal smokes like an old black powder muzzle loader.

Fun thing to do at the outdoor range. Mag dump with my semi-auto KP-31 and my older, smokier 9mm loads when there is no wind.

September 24, 2009, 01:49 PM	#1
DBAR Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 941	New to loading with lead.... I've been loading for about 7 years, and I've always loaded (.45acp) with plated, or jacketed bullets. I'm considering loading with lead, and I've heard good things about Missour Bullet Company. Their local, and have a good reputation. Here's my question. What do I need to know about loading lead. Do I have to lube the bullets? Looks like they have the wax ring aruond them already. I've got load data, so that's ok. I just need to know the simple does, and dont's about loading with lead. I'll also take in tips on cleaning too. I've got a Kimber 1911, and a SIG P220 SAO that I'll be loading for. I appreciate any input, and thanks in advance. DBAR

September 24, 2009, 10:11 PM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Lots of good info already in this thread. Lead bullets are a dying breed on most indoor ranges due to the fact that their use makes the air filtration system work much, much harder. Many indoor ranges have simply banned their use. When you start, make sure to check your bore after so many rounds to see what kind of buildup of lead you may be getting. Barrels build up with lead for a couple different reasons but the bottom line is the same-- a leaded up barrel is getting incrementally smaller and continuing to push bullets through it is asking for trouble because the pressure escalates as the lead builds up. You will likely have to do more scrubbing to get your bore clean after a range session with lead bullets, but it doesn't have to be that bad. Do NOT shoot any jacketed bullets through your handgun after shooting a bunch of lead until you've scrubbed and cleaned the bore. A jacketed bullet going over a bunch of lead in a barrel can make an already difficult cleaning job next to impossible. With all that said, I load cast lead in 9, .38, 10mm, .44 Mag and .45 Auto. If I could find the #@$%'ers, I'd try it in .30 Carb, too. I load and shoot a lot of cast lead and use them more than jacketed. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 24, 2009, 01:54 PM	#2
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	I use their 45's all the time. Nothing special just follow your load books. However you may have to provide a larger bell on the case if you are shaving some lead. These bullets are pre-lubed so there is no need to lube. One other thing you may have to clean your dies a little more often if the lube starts to gum them up.

September 24, 2009, 02:14 PM	#3
DBAR Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 941	Thank you Farmland, that's what I was thinking, but wanted to be sure. DBAR

September 24, 2009, 09:39 PM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Understand that lead, lubed bullets will smoke a LOT when fired, even with clean powder. I was quite shocked how bad my first reloads belched smoke at the indoor range with Universal and 9mm cast bullets. The people at the other stalls were waving their hands around trying to clear the air.

September 24, 2009, 09:50 PM	#5
Doby45 Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2009 Location: Powder Springs, GA Posts: 213	Spoken for truth. My 40 with blue lube and Universal smokes like an old black powder muzzle loader.

September 25, 2009, 08:48 AM	#7
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	Watch that you expand/bell your case enough but not too much. Not enough will shave lead from the bullet. Taper crimp is more necessary with lead than jacketed. Be sure to apply enough crimp. Seating die. Be sure to clean the junk out of your seating die every now and then. Lube will bluid up inside the die causing OAL to change. Pull the die apart and clean it. Watch for load build up in your barrel as you work up your loads. I've got no special cleaning tips for ya. As I have yet to have a problem with leading in my barrel. I clean as normal with Hoppies #9. Shooting cast lead is much cheaper than using fmj's. Next thing ya know...you'll be looking for tips on casting your own. That's fun as well. Makes shooting even cheaper.