Who Here Shoots Lead?
- Thread starter huntinaz
- Start date
I shoot primarily lead in pistol. From mild 45acp to wild (well kind of) 357. I have not loaded any lead for rifle. I would like to, especially heavy 220s in 8x57. I do not have a 30-30 or 45-70 right now, but if I did I would shoot nothing.but lead from them.
To elaborate a little furfher, many report problems with lead shaving when loading lead projectiles. I've never had a problem with this using standard cheap lee dies, and I seat and crimp in one step.
To elaborate a little furfher, many report problems with lead shaving when loading lead projectiles. I've never had a problem with this using standard cheap lee dies, and I seat and crimp in one step.
In fact, I would't even consider shooting plated or jacketed out of my 45 Colt Vaquero or any other six gun. I did, don't tell anyone, but the other day I tested some hot jacketed rounds out of the rifle (Marlin 1894). They were stout but shot super low.
Loaded up some 260gr SWC, 8.3 and 8.7gr Herco earlier.
Loaded up some 260gr SWC, 8.3 and 8.7gr Herco earlier.
mikejonestkd
New member
Probably 90% of my handloaded pistol ammo is lead, and probably 25% or my rifle ammo is lead.
I most certainly do shoot lead, by casting my own. I have several moulds now for 355-358, 401, 430, and 454. I also have two rifle moulds, one for 30-30 which Ive had horrible accuracy issues with and one 230 grainer I use in 300 with decent results. I have half a ton of lead in ingots, most about 12bhn. Mostly I cast for handguns, I also powder coat. I enjoy it a little bit but mostly its a hobby to cut down on reloading cost, to insulate against the market some, and to be sure I can have bullets that will perform the way I want/need them to.
What bullet is that you are loading? I’ve been looking for a mould that will cast a shrt nosed wad cutter like that.
What bullet is that you are loading? I’ve been looking for a mould that will cast a shrt nosed wad cutter like that.
I've been a mixed bag... I load lead in my revolver rounds, but shoot mostly jacketed in my automatic pistols. These days that's limited to .41MAG, .44SPC, and .45 Colt.
I used to be a die-hard jacketed rifle bullet guy, but have since changed my ways. I only load jacketed in 5.56mm and 7.62mm gas gun cartridges... everything else is lead. How about that....
I used to be a die-hard jacketed rifle bullet guy, but have since changed my ways. I only load jacketed in 5.56mm and 7.62mm gas gun cartridges... everything else is lead. How about that....
Lead bullets for handguns, both revolver and auto, jacketed for rifles. Nothing wrong with lead in the right rifles, but I don't think it would be suitable in .223 and too much work to get it right in .30-06. (those are the rifles I shoot, and I don't shoot them much)
And a lot of the lead bullets I cast myself, but I also use some commercial cast bullets and soft swaged bullets.
And a lot of the lead bullets I cast myself, but I also use some commercial cast bullets and soft swaged bullets.
Aww, now, I didn't realize we had such a sensitive bunch here. Ok that's a lie, I most certainly did.
I should have made more smileys in my post/poll to indicate gentle ribbing.
I am proud of you for shooting lead though!
Please let the record show, reddog81 shoots lead and the poll number for "yes" is actually one more than it says
If you do or don't, feel free to post why/why not. This is a reloading forum after all.
So far I find it interesting that it's 10 to 1 yes, seems like a the commercial ammunition market has room for adjustment if you ask me. It used to be common place.
You lot that cast your own are extra tough BTW!
So far I find it interesting that it's 10 to 1 yes, seems like a the commercial ammunition market has room for adjustment if you ask me. It used to be common place.
You lot that cast your own are extra tough BTW!
It was a joke! Have another cup of coffee...I shoot cast bullets about 20 times more than jacketed bullets. I only use jacketed bullets in my Garand (even though I have tried cast) and my 9mm "just in case" handloads. I have guns that have never seen a jacketed bullet as long as I've owned them (I got a Ruger SBH in '88 that hasn't seen a jacket since I purchased it). I don't count costs for my handloads, I cast because I like to make my own bullets...
I stopped shooting plain lead about twenty years ago.
After loading three or four brands in as many calibers, I decided the amount of lead and lube residue left in the gun, and in the press, was something I just didn't want to deal with.
I shoot mostly polymer-coated or plated pistol bullets, and jacketed rifle bullets.
After loading three or four brands in as many calibers, I decided the amount of lead and lube residue left in the gun, and in the press, was something I just didn't want to deal with.
I shoot mostly polymer-coated or plated pistol bullets, and jacketed rifle bullets.
Don Fischer
New member
Been shooting lead handgun bullet's for as long as I can remember. Few years ago started shooting them in rifle's and intended to hunt with them. Haven't hunted with them yet and may not ever, got this thing about bullet's and using good bullet's to kill big game. Lead probably will do it well but I keep thinking a jacketed bullet is the right answer. But down the road somewhere bullet's may get hard to find and I have a good supply of lead and the molds to stay able to hunt if need be.