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Thanks for all the hints, tips and encouragement. As I said, there is no rational reason for me to not shoot lead, I just...well, it is something new (to me), so I just have some mental barrier. And looking at AndyC's numbers, it is hard to argue. Do I want a Cadillac or a GMC? Might be a nice ride, but that Caddy is farther out of reach than the GMC.

I guess I just received my last FMJ order - looks like I just need to man up and go lead. And at the rate that my wife burns through ammo, it is probably the only way to move forward. Especially since our kids are at or near centerfire age and wanting to run our guns, too.

I suppose the Bayou Bullets don't have wax lube since they are coated?

As far as powder goes, I've been using HP-38 in .45 and 9mm. With the addition of .380, I'm looking for a spherical powder that would meter well in the smaller cases and not be too smoky with lead. A friend recommended AA#5 - any others to look at? If it matters, I'm (finally) transitioning from a LEE turret to a Hornady L-N-L AP.

All of my loads so far have been with FMJs (aside from a 50 round experiment with .45 185gr LSWC which my 1911 HATED). I have worked up some sweet and accurate loads for 9mm and .45 with Montana Gold and Zero, but since I'm ready to ramp up production into .380, .308 and .223, I need to spread my budget out over the greater variety of components.

I have avoided lead so far simply because its icky and smoky and dirty. Intellectually, I know I will almost have to go to lead eventually for pistol, but I'm fighting it irrationally. My last order from Powder Valley was kind of a wakeup call, though - $57/500 124gr Zero FMJs - so it might come sooner rather than later. The prices at Missouri Bullet Company are getting very attractive, too - $32/500 for 124gr LRN.

With that in mind, do plated bullets work well as a "compromise" between lead and jacketed? While I don't mind tinkering, the fact that some manuals treat plated as lead while others treat them as jacketed is a bit off-putting to me. Is plated a logical step between jacketed and lead, or should I just man up and switch over?