Reloading lead bullets for practice rounds

[BackCountry]

I am wondering what peoples experiences are with using lead bullets for practice rounds. I shoot around 8000 rounds a year out of my G20 and have so far always used Rainier copper plated rounds. The price of bullets keeps going up and I am considering switching to casting my own rounds. I have always cast my own rounds for muzzle loading so I have most of the equipment needed.

Does the use of non copper plated/jacketed rounds cause more wear on the gun and barrel? Does it create more fouling? Any feeding problems when using non plated rounds? Any other concerns or comments people have who currently cast their own bullets would be appreciated. Thanks.

[ColoradoGlocker]

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[kjm1016]

You might consider an aftermarket barrel if you are going to shoot lead from your Glock. Storm Lake and KKM make good ones. Your chance of a KB in your factory barrel is slight, but why take the chance? You might also consider a .40 S&W barrel for your G20. You'll need to load down to avoid barrel leading, and by the time you have done so, you are down in .40 range loads. The .40 uses the same diameter of bullet and the same loading dies will work so all you need is brass! One warning, aftermarket barrels often have tighter chambers than Glock factory barrels. A Lee factory crimp die with the carbide insert would be in order. Good luck!:thumbsup:

[BackCountry]

I've ordered some moly coated bullets from Precision Bullets. I'll give them a try, they are slightly less expensive than copper plated Ranier bullets.

One question, would I treat them as plated bullets or jacketed bullets for looking up starting loads on my reloading tables? I have a very accurate load developed for plated bullets and hope that this loading translates to the moly coated bullets.

[Akita]

I shoot lead reloads thru an aftermarket barrel in all my Glocks. Couldnt afford to shoot near as much otherwise.\
My experience with plated bullets is that they fragment sometime between the muzzle and the target with poor accuracy. CBC plated a few years ago were especially bad in 40. YMMV.

[nam02G]

Originally posted by BackCountry
I've ordered some moly coated bullets from Precision Bullets. I'll give them a try, they are slightly less expensive than copper plated Ranier bullets.

One question, would I treat them as plated bullets or jacketed bullets for looking up starting loads on my reloading tables? I have a very accurate load developed for plated bullets and hope that this loading translates to the moly coated bullets.


Treat them as lead bullets for your starting loads. Moly bullets are slick so it takes less powder to propel them. If you want a specific velocity out of them work up to it.

[BackCountry]

Thanks for the input, I will adjust as if they are lead bullets and work up from there.

I thought about casting lead bullets, I do for my muzzle loader. I just find shooting lots of lead rounds really fouls the barrel, is messy to reload and unhealthy to cast and reload in quantity. I do use lead rounds in my 1911, but I don't put that many rounds through that gun, nor is it my carry piece. I find the cleaning to be a chore with quite a bit of lead loading on the firearm.