Lead vs. FMJ bullets

[NORMAN]

Can anyone give me the pros and cons of using round nose lead bullets in stead of FMJ in reloads ??
It seems that lead is readily available. It would just be for the range. Is because of lead build up in the barrel ??

Thanks, Norman

[powerboatr]

i recently went with cast lead bullets for range shooting i purchased over 3k rounds.
as these are now gone i am going back to fmj
i just didnt get the performance i was looking for, never really had any build up issues, I clean my shooters every trip.
i did have a learning curve loading em, compared to fmj, which is part of the reloading fun and experience.
i will add during the loading process the lead ones were dirtier, and left me cleaning up a bit more than normal, but it was minimal

my 1967 1911 colt had issues with the lead bullets vice the fmj for same weight round nose 230 grain bullet, it took a bit to get the seat depth low enough to stop jamms, even though i was well under max oal on the built up cartridge

OTH my xd 9 didnt know the difference and i had only one bad load that was my fault

[longtooth]

I went to FMJs and also JHPs as soon as the emporer assended his throne.

For me lead was alright for range practice & personal training. When lead went so high I decided the difference in cost of about 2cents a bullet was worth having a better round if worse case comes to pass & we need our reloads for defense.

230 gr. Montana Gold JHPs.
230 gr. Delta Precission FMJs.
Also watching & will buy from an individual when putting good bullets on one of the board at a good price.

[CDH]

Plated bullets are just too close to the cost of good lead boolets...and I have had lead buildup issues as well.

If I were of a mind to shoot all lead, I'd be casting them. Buying them just doesn't make sense to me.

[Houston1944]

If you are going to load lead bullets the first thing you need to understand is not all lead bullets are the same. Cheap lead bullets are a pain in the neck to load and shoot. Accuracy will probably be poor and you will spend a lot of time cleaning lead from the barrel.

However from my viewpoint there is nothing better in a 1911 than a good quality 200 gr lead SWC bullet. I use only Penn or Oregon Trail lead bullets in 45acp, 44mag and 454 Casull, 44spl and 45 colt. As long as I use either of these brands I never have barrel leading problems.

When loading lead I set my belling die slightly deeper than I normally would for FMJ. This allows the lead bullet to be seated without creating lead slivers and keeps down the grease buildup in the dies.

[stroo]

Don't use lead bullets in Glocks. Leads to kabooms.

[cbunt1]

Plated bullets are just too close to the cost of good lead boolets...and I have had lead buildup issues as well.

If I were of a mind to shoot all lead, I'd be casting them. Buying them just doesn't make sense to me.

That being said, I shoot almost exclusively cast lead...but I cast them myself. If you're looking for another aspect of your reloading hobby, I'd recommend a melter and a couple of molds...it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

--Chris

[T.O.M.]

I have been useing cast bullets for years as long as you watch fps you should have no problems they smoke a little bit more cost a whole lot less try a lewis lead remover if you do have leading