Couple of lead bullet questions?

[skyjerk]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, and I searched a bit without finding precisely what I'm looking for.

1. I'd like to know what people think are the most accurate lead bullets for reloading .45 ACP


2. Are lead (no jacket) bullets less accurate?


3. How much more difficult is cleaning the barrel when using lead bullets?

[rwilson452]

Accuracy is mostly an individual gun thing. Generally SWC are more accurate. Some 45s don't feed them well.

Lead is generally more accurate.

Lead build up is a combination of factors including bullet harness, velocity and lube.

As to what combination will work best in your pistol, Bog knows, there is just no way to tell. It is truly a trial and error thing.

Originally Posted by skyjerk

I'm sure this has been discussed before, and I searched a bit without finding precisely what I'm looking for.

1. I'd like to know what people think are the most accurate lead bullets for reloading .45 ACP


2. Are lead (no jacket) bullets less accurate?


3. How much more difficult is cleaning the barrel when using lead bullets?

[pstew]

That pretty much say's it all

[Swamp Yankee]

I have used both lead and jacketed wad cutters with good results it is a matter of finding the correct load for the harmonics of your gun. So far the most accurate for me has been the Hornaday 200gr LSWC. I can shoot
3" groups consistently out to 60 yards with out a rest. As far as lead build up I have no trouble because I clean my firearms after I use them. It's a Marine thing.

Mike Mc

[Brick]

If the bullets are sized correctly to fit the bore, it's pretty much a machts nicht situation.

Jacketed bullets are supposed to match the land diameter of your bore, lead bullets are supposed to match the groove diameter. Slug your bore to obtain accurate dimension and get bullets sized accordingly. .45 ACP jacketed are nominally .451 and lead are .452.

Use hard cast bullets and keep your velocities below 1000 fps and leading won't be much of a problem.

[skyjerk]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

So far the most accurate for me has been the Hornaday 200gr LSWC.

I'm glad you said that cuz I just bought 400 of those exact bullets :-)

I can shoot
3" groups consistently out to 60 yards with out a rest. As far as lead build up I have no trouble because I clean my firearms after I use them. It's a Marine thing.

Mike Mc

3" at 60 yards? Man, thats some bad-ass shooting. :-)

I dont think cleaning the weapon after using it is limited to marines.
I clean mine every time even if I only shoot a couple magazines.
I'm ex-army :-)

My son is in the Marines, over in Iraq this very moment. He likes to dis
the army so I like to remind him that I can still kick his ass ;-)

[shooter357]

Skyjerk, are you making your own or are you buying them?
If you are buying them they should be ready to go. When making your own you should swage them to lube as well as to give them their proper size. If your load is pushing the bullet over 1000fps, be sure to use gas checks. The gas checks will help to keep you barrel from leading. As long as you have properly made lead bullets they will be as accurate as you can shoot.

[skyjerk]

Originally Posted by shooter357

Skyjerk, are you making your own or are you buying them?
If you are buying them they should be ready to go. When making your own you should swage them to lube as well as to give them their proper size. If your load is pushing the bullet over 1000fps, be sure to use gas checks. The gas checks will help to keep you barrel from leading. As long as you have properly made lead bullets they will be as accurate as you can shoot.

I just bought 400 rounds of Hornady 200 grain LSWC.

I'm expecting/planning to keep them in the 800-900fps range.

[Lucas]

I've had good luck with Hornady LSWC and also Laser Cast bullets. No noticeable leading from either in various loads at what should be the 750-900 range.

[QuakertownRich]

I just received 2k 200gr LSWC's from Mike at mastercastbullets.com . Very uniform and they feed well in my Springfield Loaded 1911. I keep velocity to around 850fps and the leading is not an issue when cleaning. Mike gives a great value for his product, too, as cost to my door was under 7.5cents a piece.