cast bullets and fmj

[hnm3355]

im having trouble deciding, just because i can't find much infomation. which are better worse , how about if i make my own are they better or worse and whats the diffrence between if i make then and if i buy casted bullets online, that are hardend.

[zippy13]

Are your thinking of rifle or handgun bullets?

[hnm3355]

im thinking both 223 and 9mm

the 223 is an ar15

and the 9mm are all semi autos

[kraigwy]

There is no law that says you cant shoot both.

I use FMJ in my ARs, M1As and M1, I also shoot cast bullets. Cast bullets are outstanding, cheap and accurate for reduced practice. Great for practicing off hand, which is my weakest position.

I use FMJ or Match bullets for extended ranges and matches.

Ref Pistols and Revolvers, I normally shoot nothing but cast bullets, but when shooting EIC in Bullseye, they require FMJ 230 grn in 45s. Thats about the only jacketed bullets I shoot in pistols and revolvers.

[RWBlue01]

Define "better"?

Rifle vs. handgun?

[zippy13]

Great for practicing off hand, which is my weakest position.

Cap'n K, I suspect your off hand is better than most of us mortals' prone.

[armoredman]

I love using cast in my 9mm and 38 special, great accuracy. I loaded some cast for .223, but didn't get a chance to try them before the Mini-14 disgusted me beyond belief. I use cast in my vz-58 and CZ 527, both in 7.62x39mm, and they work just fine, just started playing around with that.
castboolits.gunloads.com for LOTS more info.

[RWBlue01]

I see absolutely no reason to use lead cast for the AR-15. The FMJ are cheap and easy. There is no leading of the gas tube or barrel. If you decide to go blasting and the barrel gets hot, it is not going to effect the bullet like it would if lead.

For 9mm, well that is a different story. I have done jacketed, plated and lead. I don't cast my own because of time and location to case, but it could be a cost savings item. If I ever have my own range and set it up to recover bullets, I will defiantly be collecting my lead and casting my own.

[kraigwy]

Mr Blue, apparently you haven't shot a lot of cast bullets in Gas Guns. Contrary to Myths, cast bullets don't clog up the gas system. Since they are loaded light they don't get so hot that accuracy is affected. Of course I concentrate on fundamentals, not how fast I can get the rounds down range.

As I said, I use them for practice. I have HP targets reduced to 25 yards, and can spend more time shooting them walking to 100 or 200 yards to change targets.

I have my own range but in the past I use to use cast bullets in gas guns in indoor 50 foot range shooting NRA/ISU small bore targets.

I normally only use them for off hand practice, in my ARs, M1A & M1.

You loose a match off hand, you win it at 600 yards, both are fired slow fire.

[RWBlue01]

Mr Blue, apparently you haven't shot a lot of cast bullets in Gas Guns. Contrary to Myths, cast bullets don't clog up the gas system. Since they are loaded light they don't get so hot that accuracy is affected. Of course I concentrate on fundamentals, not how fast I can get the rounds down range.

My experience is very limed with cast bullets and maybe you can explain why what I have seen is goofy.

I have an old Des. Eagle. I bought it new. I had limited access to 44mag ammo and I was not loading my own at that time. So I bought what was avaliable. Of the ammo that was avaliable was some ammo that was not hot enough to run the gun and some cast lead rounds. So I ran the cast lead. At the end of my range session, I could see the lead coloring on the gas parts. This was my motivation to start reloading my own 44mag.

I have also seen an M1A with lead color on the flash suppressor.

I have a 22LR silencer. It is noticeably heavier than when I first purchased it. I have talked to the vendor and I have been told that it needs to go back for a cleaning, where they will remove the lead. (Now everyone is making suppressors that come apart for cleaning, go figure.)

I saw an OLD MAC10 suppressor that they cut apart while trying to understand the issue. The suppressor had lots of lead in it.

I have no issues with my bolt and lever actions rifles and with non-gas pistols, but with gas guns and suppressors, no thank you.

[Unclenick]

Mr. Blue,

Understand your frustration. The main trick is using cast bullets with gas checks. Gas cutting happens on all exposed lead bullet base corners, as far as I know. Even my .22 LR target pistol picks a good layer up on the underside of its extended front sight.

[hnm3355]

well i was worried about the leading in the ar 15. so i may just use fmj.

[Sport45]

FMJ "plinking" bullets aren't too costly when you buy them in bulk. These are a bit less than 8 cents apiece delivered.

I haven't tried cast bullets in my AR, but I've shot plenty in my handsguns and the T-99 Arisaka.