cast bullets in a 9mm

[southern_idaho]

Do any of you shoot cast lead bullets in your 9mm's?

I bought a bunch of 147 grain cast round nose bullets in 9mm and it is the most accurate load in my Springfield. It is a low velocity load and cycles perfectly through the pistol.

After shooting a few of them, I usually follow up with a few FMJ 115 grain loads, thinking that the higher velocity loads kind of clean up any traces of lead left over. I never really notice any difference in cleaning afterwards.

Just wondering how many others out there shoot the occasional cast load in their 9mm's ?

 

[jonbearman]

It is not a good idea to shoot jacketed over lead as it makes the lead harder to remove. I shoot almost all cast unless I am carrying for self protection. You really should clean the gun after shooting lead before you shoot jacketed ammo.

 

[waterdog]

I agree with jonbearman. Shoot cast bullets and enjoy the lower cost and great accuracy. My son uses them in his IDPA matches. He uses 124 grain round nose lead loaded to the required power factor.

 

[fdshuster]

I also agree: not a good idea to shoot jacketed on top of lead, without cleaning out the lead. There are some who believe that the FMJ bullet will act like a steam roller and impact the lead into the surface of the bore, forever damaging it.

My 1911 45's are dedicated to either lead, or jacketed, never both types out of the same barrel.

If the cast lead bullets are the proper hardness for the driven velocities, and with the proper bullet lube, leading should be minimal, if at all.

 

[navyrad8r]

I bought a separate "lone wolf" bbl for my glock 23 g4 and could not be happier. Jon helped me find a great load for the 147s that a dear friend gave me. All I did was a bbl change literally a true drop in process from .40 to 9mm. if possible might be something to look into? the bbl only cost ~$100 stainless from midway. I hope this helps. FWIW I went this way because it is hard to get to the truth about factory glock bbls shooting cast bullets... now I get two cals for $100.
Cheers,
Doc

 

[TheSnake]

I load lead almost exclusively for 9 and 45 for plinking and trigger time. I used to load lead because I could save over the cost of factory loads. Now I load lead just to be able to afford to shoot as much as I like. I always clean between switching from lead to copper.

 

[bheadboy]

I have cast bullets for 65 years and never look back,

in the 9mm/40sw,45acp, be careful if you plan to use them in HK or Glock, as they have poly rifling, Poly rifling collects lead very, very fast and cause high pressure dangerously.

I sold my HK, after calling their tech and being told never to use lead bullets. Just 15 rounds and I noticed
the pressure and the bbl was silver with lead.
I changed the bbl out on my Glock to a std rifling bbl, and solved the problem.

ifind cast as accurate as needed when loads are carefully worked up for the pistol (as you would for a rifle).

Bob