Shooting lead bullets in an auto pistol

[skeetlee]

Whats the general thought when it comes to shoot all lead bullets in an semi auto pistol. Reason i ask is i found a great deal on some lead bullets and i wonder how they will work in a Springfirld XD40. Any thoughts? Thanks Lee

 

[dmickey]

If you are talking about bullets made from pure lead, these are only used for shooting in black powder firearms. Do not shoot these in a smokeless powder firearm as they will lead up the bore like you wouldn't believe!! Also they will not fly true.

 

[hmcsr]

Don't know about the Springfield XD40 but lead works quite well in all of mine.

• Caspian 45ACP wad gun
  Walther GSP 32S&W long
  Walther GSP 22
  S&W 41 22

 

[jlow]

Never used lead bullets but they should work in an XD40. The only disadvantage I have notice is people who use them tend to produce a lot of smoke if the bullets use lube and they have a hard time seeing the target through the smoke. I understand that you can avoid this if you coat the bullet with moly but I don't have any first hand experience with this.

 

[1911cwp]

I've used them in many firearms without complication. Yes, the lube smokes so you may not want to use them in competitions, however for hunting or plinking they are fine . I've never used Moly but have heard they have their own problems. Only real problem is what shape of bullet your sidearm likes. Lead wadcutters may be difficult to feed in some autos.

 

[ar10ar15man]

skeetlee...
go over to
CASTBOOLITS...its not a dot com...so do a search and link there....
cast boolits require
correct dia for the specific gun..not generic.
correct hardness for the velocity
enoulgh lube to make it to the end of the bbl
else shooting will not be fun...
.401dia SHOULD work in your 40 s and w....
everything from 210 to 135 are made....
accurate number 5 and 2 work well
oal lengths of 1.100 to 1.125 seem to do well depending on nose design

 

[wapiti25]

You usually have to keep the velocity at about 800 ft/s or below and then pistols do not lead the barrels. A lot of semi-auto shooters use the lead bullets for target shooting. The good pistol bullets are a lead alloy which fits the use hunting, target, "cowboy" ect.

 

[Rbreb13]

I shoot hard cast bullets in a lot of autoloaders. Just slow them down and leading isn't too much of a problem. It's a whole lot cheaper than jacketed bullets.

 

[Shooterman]

I have shot a bunch of Missouri cast bullets in both my 9mm and 45. Works great. A little more dirty than jacket bullets but definitely a great value for plinking. I originally tried titegroup in the 45 and it was very dirty, switched to clays, a lot cleaner and really soft on the recoil.

I only notice the extra smoke on the 9mm when I shoot indoors, but its not terrible.

 

[5spd]

Lead bullets work perfect in my sons 45acp springfield & his 9mm CZ75.
No build up either.

 

[Rem6br]

You usually have to keep the velocity at about 800 ft/s or below and then pistols do not lead the barrels. A lot of semi-auto shooters use the lead bullets for target shooting. The good pistol bullets are a lead alloy which fits the use hunting, target, "cowboy" ect.

Agree

 

[sdbob]

For the most part I shoot lead outdoors and copper jackets indoors (due to smoke from the lead lube). The lead loads are actually more accurate in my 45 acp target guns when tested on a ransom rest.

 

[MBuechle]

I shoot lead almost exclusively in my XD40. Power Pistol has been the most trouble free powder for lead in both the .40 & the 9 for me. I cast my own but before that shot about 1000 commercial cast in my XD. A mid range load of PP should work well. I load for about 850-880 fps with 185-190 grain boolits. Blue Dot and 800X also worked well, Clays was hard to get to not lead for me. I've pushed 185's to 1050 without leading with PP. I seat and crimp in separate dies and only crimp enough to remove the bell mouth.

 

[Dans40X]

Lee,
Depending on the bore condition of your XD-
Pushing soft cast bullets too fast will result in leading of the bore.
As mentioned keep velocities under 1000fps & you shouldn't have a problem.
If leading exists find a Lewis Lead Remover to remove the lead deposits.

The Lewis Lead Remover is basically a brass screen installed over an tapered expandable rubber arbor that is attached to a pistol rod & pulled from chamber to crown.

 

[ar10ar15man]

bs

that is a technical term for people that make unsupported claims about cast boolits.
i do 1100 in my 44mag, over 1000 in my 9mm with a 135...
( out of context..but out to 2000 FPS from rifles)
go read, and learn...it is not velocity alone.

You usually have to keep the velocity at about 800 ft/s or below and then pistols do not lead the barrels. A lot of semi-auto shooters use the lead bullets for target shooting. The good pistol bullets are a lead alloy which fits the use hunting, target, "cowboy" ect.

 

[Outrider27]

We have about 35 years of shooting cast lead bullets in a 1911, your basic Alox/beeswax lube, sometimes Lyman #2 alloy, sometimes Linotype, but mostly cast from scrap wheelweights from my buddy's filling station, velocity 850-925 fps, depending on the load, never a leading problem. Our experience is that the chosen lube has more relation to leading problems than velocity when you're in the 800-1100 fps range. Any of the above mentioned alloys are a good deal harder than pure lead and all work fine for asting your own. And the price was right for the wheelweights.

 

[broncman]

I cant believe this has not been brought up...but their are different hardness of lead bullets. Different for the different speeds they are shot at !

Missouri Bullet company has a great explanation of this and they sale two different alloys.

I have shot several thousand through my XD45. Little dirtier and yes it does need a good scrubbing. Mine gets a good scrub at about 500 rds. I likes the round nose and will not reliably feed the semi wadcutter.

My 45 1911 LOVES their 200grain semi wadcutters. A buddy of mine who is a master pistol guy and better shot than me easily rings a six inch gong at 50 yards with my pistol and those bullets. I am talking every single shot in an eight roumd mag and it still has GI sights.

 

[jhord]

What the effect of barrel condition on leading? I've shot plenty of Missouri 200 SWC's through my used CZ97 without leading. Then I shot some through my new SR1911 and got terrible leading. The only thing I could figure, maybe the new barrel was too rough yet and tore loose a bunch of lead?

 

[jonbearman]

As long as they are hardcast bullets you wont have any problems if you follow the lloads for lead bullets.I have shot 1000's and 1000's over the years in pistol and centerfire rifles.They work good and are very accurate.

 

[ar10ar15man]

go read my first post...
it maybe simple breakin
BUT
it may be a dia issue....
(did you know the cz97b specifically says no semi wadcutters in the owners manual ??. ramp design i believe, glad to see yours worked.)
slug the bore on the ruger, and or do a jackected 500 rd break in....

What the effect of barrel condition on leading? I've shot plenty of Missouri 200 SWC's through my used CZ97 without leading. Then I shot some through my new SR1911 and got terrible leading. The only thing I could figure, maybe the new barrel was too rough yet and tore loose a bunch of lead?