Non-Cast Bullet... Recommendations?

dekova · September 22, 2011, 10:12 AM

I'm not currently a reloader but I'm looking into it to see if it's something I'd want to pursue. My primary motivator is to save money reloading target ammo for a .40SW Glock 27.

Lead cast bullets are the cheapest but I'm told that Glocks don't like cast bullets. I'm trying to find another reasonably cheap, Glock worthy bullet so I can figure out the price difference between my reloads and store bought.

I'm googling "plated bullets" and seeing prices in the $125 for 1000 range which is obviously more expensive than lead cast. Is there something a bit more economical that I could look at?

I'm sure this has been covered before and I did some poking around via search but didn't find the answer I was looking for. Thanks for suffering another new guy's questions.

Jimro · September 22, 2011, 10:32 AM

You won't know if your pistol doesn't like cast bullets until you try it. And I can't think of a more economical alternative to Berry's plated bullets that isn't cast.

Jimro

TMD · September 22, 2011, 10:36 AM

Over 7000 rounds of lead through my G35 without issue.

black mamba · September 22, 2011, 11:10 AM

There aren't even a lot of cast lead bullets that are cheaper than 12.5¢ apiece anymore, unless you cast your own. And that requires equipment setup costs, plus more time to make them.

I would buy a hundred each of lead and plated, try them in your weapon, and then buy in bulk the one that shoots the best.

Scimmia · September 22, 2011, 11:33 AM

Right now, I would check out Rocky Mountain Reloading, they're selling pulled FMJ 40 bullets cheap. It won't be a consistent supply, though, more of a one time thing.

Lead in a Glock requires you to pay more attention. They can be more prone to leading, and leading in a Glock can increase pressure faster than in a conventional barrel. As long as you use bullets and charges that minimize leading and pay close attention while shooting, you can shoot lead safely in a Glock.

As for lead prices, I don't know where black mamba's getting $0.125 for a minimum. I get most of mine from Missouri Bullet company, and my last order was $0.079 each for 180 grain 40 S&W including shipping.

sourdough44 · September 22, 2011, 11:37 AM

I'd shoot plated bullets. As far as the lead issue, no problems here, just keep things clean.

Don P · September 22, 2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Over 7000 rounds of lead through my G35 without issue.

Not quite as many as the above. My range sessions of 200-300 rounds I have yet to have issues with lead. All I shoot is hard cast lead in calibers 38 spl, 357 mag, 9 mm, 40 S&W, and 45 acp.
My 2 Glocks are G26 and G36

David Bachelder · September 22, 2011, 01:22 PM

I second Berry's plated bullets.

See: http://www.berrysmfg.com/

Habaz72 · September 22, 2011, 01:27 PM

Start checking the brass that you fire through your gun now for the "glock bulge" I've read so much about from .40 s&w glocks. Near the rim of the case where it would sit on the unsupported section where the feed ramp turns into the chamber.

oldpapps · September 22, 2011, 03:30 PM

A good friend of mine has one of those ‘glocks’, I don’t like them (it’s personal). His will balk at Winchester 180 gr white box but it loves my 155 gr lead loads and gobbles them up.
Each weapon is a beast of its own. You will have to try some.
When loading, many things can and will change how an auto loader will function. But that is the fun in building your own loads for each of your weapons.

OSOK

g.willikers · September 23, 2011, 05:50 PM

While this is for a Glock 9mm, maybe it has some benefit for a .40.
When I first started reloading with lead round nose in a Glock 17, it was looking like the naysayers, telling us that lead and Glocks don't go together, were right.
Inaccurate, key-holing, lead buildup, not good.
But, I somehow wound up with truncated cone, lead bullets a size larger than what 9mm reloaders usually use - .357, instead of .356.
End of problems.
Glock now shot excellent and very little leading.
The truncated cone design was longer than the round nose and, coupled with the larger diameter, must have been the ticket.
I don't know whether this info applies to the .40 or not, but it's something to consider, if your results with lead bullets aren't satisfactory.

WESHOOT2 · September 24, 2011, 06:09 AM

Glock load:

-sized case
-CCI500
-Rainier 180g TCJ-FP
-5.4g Power Pistol (start load; 6.0g for 930fps av)
-OAL 1.130" +/-.005"

chris in va · September 24, 2011, 09:34 AM

Ironically, my Glock 21SF hasn't leaded at all, while my CZ 75 builds up pretty fast. Glock has a fairly unique polygonal design, the 'lands' actually look more like speed bumps on a road and don't seem to strip the bullet of lead like more traditional designs, like my Kahr. I can't fire more than a mag through it without needing to scrub it out, which is the main reason why it doesn't get used much at the range. I just can't justify the cost of jacketed bullets after casting thousands from wheelweights.

September 22, 2011, 10:12 AM	#1
dekova Junior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Posts: 1	Non-Cast Bullet... Recommendations? I'm not currently a reloader but I'm looking into it to see if it's something I'd want to pursue. My primary motivator is to save money reloading target ammo for a .40SW Glock 27. Lead cast bullets are the cheapest but I'm told that Glocks don't like cast bullets. I'm trying to find another reasonably cheap, Glock worthy bullet so I can figure out the price difference between my reloads and store bought. I'm googling "plated bullets" and seeing prices in the $125 for 1000 range which is obviously more expensive than lead cast. Is there something a bit more economical that I could look at? I'm sure this has been covered before and I did some poking around via search but didn't find the answer I was looking for. Thanks for suffering another new guy's questions.

September 22, 2011, 10:32 AM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	You won't know if your pistol doesn't like cast bullets until you try it. And I can't think of a more economical alternative to Berry's plated bullets that isn't cast. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

September 23, 2011, 05:50 PM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	While this is for a Glock 9mm, maybe it has some benefit for a .40. When I first started reloading with lead round nose in a Glock 17, it was looking like the naysayers, telling us that lead and Glocks don't go together, were right. Inaccurate, key-holing, lead buildup, not good. But, I somehow wound up with truncated cone, lead bullets a size larger than what 9mm reloaders usually use - .357, instead of .356. End of problems. Glock now shot excellent and very little leading. The truncated cone design was longer than the round nose and, coupled with the larger diameter, must have been the ticket. I don't know whether this info applies to the .40 or not, but it's something to consider, if your results with lead bullets aren't satisfactory. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

September 24, 2011, 06:09 AM	#12
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Glock load: -sized case -CCI500 -Rainier 180g TCJ-FP -5.4g Power Pistol (start load; 6.0g for 930fps av) -OAL 1.130" +/-.005" __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 22, 2011, 10:36 AM	#3
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	Over 7000 rounds of lead through my G35 without issue.

September 22, 2011, 11:10 AM	#4
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	There aren't even a lot of cast lead bullets that are cheaper than 12.5¢ apiece anymore, unless you cast your own. And that requires equipment setup costs, plus more time to make them. I would buy a hundred each of lead and plated, try them in your weapon, and then buy in bulk the one that shoots the best.

September 22, 2011, 11:33 AM	#5
Scimmia Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2011 Location: Eastern IA Posts: 428	Right now, I would check out Rocky Mountain Reloading, they're selling pulled FMJ 40 bullets cheap. It won't be a consistent supply, though, more of a one time thing. Lead in a Glock requires you to pay more attention. They can be more prone to leading, and leading in a Glock can increase pressure faster than in a conventional barrel. As long as you use bullets and charges that minimize leading and pay close attention while shooting, you can shoot lead safely in a Glock. As for lead prices, I don't know where black mamba's getting $0.125 for a minimum. I get most of mine from Missouri Bullet company, and my last order was $0.079 each for 180 grain 40 S&W including shipping.

September 22, 2011, 11:37 AM	#6
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	I'd shoot plated bullets. As far as the lead issue, no problems here, just keep things clean.

September 22, 2011, 01:22 PM	#8
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	I second Berry's plated bullets. See: http://www.berrysmfg.com/

September 22, 2011, 01:27 PM	#9
Habaz72 Member Join Date: September 9, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 65	Start checking the brass that you fire through your gun now for the "glock bulge" I've read so much about from .40 s&w glocks. Near the rim of the case where it would sit on the unsupported section where the feed ramp turns into the chamber.

September 22, 2011, 03:30 PM	#10
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	A good friend of mine has one of those ‘glocks’, I don’t like them (it’s personal). His will balk at Winchester 180 gr white box but it loves my 155 gr lead loads and gobbles them up. Each weapon is a beast of its own. You will have to try some. When loading, many things can and will change how an auto loader will function. But that is the fun in building your own loads for each of your weapons. OSOK

September 24, 2011, 09:34 AM	#13
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Ironically, my Glock 21SF hasn't leaded at all, while my CZ 75 builds up pretty fast. Glock has a fairly unique polygonal design, the 'lands' actually look more like speed bumps on a road and don't seem to strip the bullet of lead like more traditional designs, like my Kahr. I can't fire more than a mag through it without needing to scrub it out, which is the main reason why it doesn't get used much at the range. I just can't justify the cost of jacketed bullets after casting thousands from wheelweights.