FMJacketed vs. Lead

Greg Di · February 1, 2007, 12:30 PM

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 pissing money down the drain by shooting FMJ all the time.

What are the down sides to shooting lead bullets?

LAH · February 1, 2007, 12:33 PM

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 · February 1, 2007, 12:37 PM

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 · February 1, 2007, 12:37 PM

If it has polygonal rifling there may be cause not to, or if the autoloader is gas operated. Otherwise you might just be pissing 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 · February 1, 2007, 07:31 PM

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

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

Any other questions?

gandog56 · February 1, 2007, 07:42 PM

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 · February 1, 2007, 08:03 PM

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 · February 1, 2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

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.

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 · February 2, 2007, 11:14 AM

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

February 1, 2007, 12:30 PM	#1
Greg Di Member Join Date: November 16, 2005 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 66	FMJacketed vs. Lead 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 pissing money down the drain by shooting FMJ all the time. What are the down sides to shooting lead bullets?

February 1, 2007, 12:37 PM	#3
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	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. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

February 1, 2007, 07:31 PM	#5
mjrodney Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 435	I reload .45ACP with lead for $6.74 per 100 rounds. One hundred rounds of .38SPL in lead for $5.66. Any other questions? __________________ Proud supporter of the NRA

February 1, 2007, 07:42 PM	#6
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2006 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 979	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. __________________ Some people think I'm paranoid because I have guns. If I have guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

February 1, 2007, 08:03 PM	#7
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	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 __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 1, 2007, 12:33 PM	#2
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	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

February 1, 2007, 12:37 PM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	If it has polygonal rifling there may be cause not to, or if the autoloader is gas operated. Otherwise you might just be pissing 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.

February 2, 2007, 11:14 AM	#9
Williamr Member Join Date: January 23, 2007 Posts: 18	FMJ vs. Lead 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