Topic: 45acp lead or other option

[YamaLink]

I was not impressed with 9mm lead even though my barrel is not polygonal, but was told that in the low pressure 45acp lead is a good option. With a good lube it will not smoke that much and cleanup is minimal. True?

Or should I just go to a moly bullet like Black Bullets International?

[Nealio]

Why not plated?

[Beamncoke]

I switched to plated bullets years ago and have never looked back.  They cost a little more than lead, but not significantly.  They are cleaner to handle during the loading process and cleaner to shoot by far.  I get better penetration and less fragmentation with plated bullets.  Granted my testing methods are nowhere near scientific, just observations from recovered rounds.  So, unless you have the time and inclination to cast your own, I would just stick with plated bullets.

[Bill, Idaho]

Beamncoke speaks the truth, straight as arrow driven into wind.  I have pretty well gotten away from reloading any lead bullets anymore. The minor extra cost is BY FAR outweighed by the benefits.

[luvmy45]

I'm not aware of any difference between 9mm lead and 45 lead. It's the same metal compound for both bullets.

Lead is dirty, to handle and to fire. True at higher velocity's the 9mm loading will start leading the barrel, whereas in the 45 at the heavier weights leading in the barrel is no usually a problem.

The hardcast lead is better than the other stuff, Oregon Trail is a good shooting hardcast lead bullet, but it is still smokey... you can play with different powders to find the one that is least smokey with your load, but it will still smoke when you shoot.

There is nothing wrong with lead bullets, I shot them for years with no problem, other than my hands were extremely dirty after loading, and anytime I loaded mags, my hands would get dirty, and if I shot indoors, well, no fast fire or you can't see.

Casting your own and reloading is a good skill to have, but right now, it's my preference to just use plated bullets, like the group buy we just did with moparman... save up for the next group buy and get a few thousand.

[RGinIdaho]

I shoot 200gr lead semi wadcutters exclusively in .45. I use lasercast for the most part. I use them primarily for accuracy. I have not found a jacketed or plated bullet load that shoots as well as the lasercast lswc and N310 in .45acp.

With good hard cast lead, cleaning is a non issue. I clean my pistol very infrequently. If I go over 1k rounds without cleaning I'll see an occasional hiccup.

[popsgunner]

we nuse Berry's plated or Billy Bullets. Billiy are moly'd lead and are dirty to handle and load but shoot VERY well and are easy to clean up afterward in the gun.
If you are so inclined....RudyWarren 480-671-0451 for Billy Bullets
We have shot lots and lots, love em.
Pops

[YamaLink]

Good input by all.
I got in the group buy for 9mm plated and the price is so good, but the lead vs plated in 45 savings is about 2.5 cents if I remember correctly. For 2000 that's about $50 if my math isn't letting me down.

And I may get hammered for typing this: I read a few times that revolvers and high amount of shooting do better with lead.

[Jaggy13]

the 185 grn plater bullets were close to the black bullets price. Thats what I was going to get on the xtreem group buy.
I've run about 400 black bullets now through my 9mm. I really like them.
Haven't tried them in 45 yet.

[luvmy45]

And I may get hammered for typing this: I read a few times that revolvers and high amount of shooting do better with lead.

What's this revolver that you speak of?

Do they shoot boolits too??

[RGinIdaho]

My first choice in all handguns is lead. Plated bullets have always provided me with mediocre accuracy.

[Nealio]

I've never shot lead, but I've always seen much better accuracy with plated as compared to jacketed..

[luvmy45]

You should try RG's recipe for .45... he's got it going in the accuracy department with his load.

Of course his SD is something like 1 with that load.

[Steve N]

Revolvers do shoot Boolits - 

But my experience with them is after about 100 rounds the gun is so dirty it'll be hard to load. I won't shoot the steel match with them again!! But for concealed carry and the odd chance I'll get to use it - it works for me.

[Nomad]

Have stayed with plated bullets in 9MM and 45 with good results....

[ekuo]

Hi guys,
FWIW, all I shoot anymore is moly-coated bullets from Bear Creek.  Went thru about 8k of the 200 gr SWC in my .45 last year, and currently going thru a case of their 180 gr TC for my .40SW.  Almost zero leading when shot in 1911/2011 barrels.  Some leading when shot in a Glock OEM barrel. 

Price was my primary reason for switching to moly once they proved to be accurate in my guns.  Cleaner than hard cast lead was my second.  Accuracy is good, but probably more honest to blame me rather then the load or gun when it zings one off into a no-shoot. 

Bear Creek has been good to me since I started using them. 

[YamaLink]

Where is Bear Creek sold these days? Last I checked their site was gone.

Bear Creek has been good to me since I started using them. 

[ekuo]

I think they are only taking orders by phone.  209-874-4322

IIRC 200 gr SWC are $40.50/500.  Free S/H on orders over $95.  They can ship 2k in a USPS flat rate box. 

[YamaLink]

Thank you very much.

I think they are only taking orders by phone.  209-874-4322

IIRC 200 gr SWC are $40.50/500.  Free S/H on orders over $95.  They can ship 2k in a USPS flat rate box. 

[egress81]

+1 for bear creek

I use the 230 RN in my .45  and 180 TC in my wife's .40 and they are good to go 

[Jeff]

I have 500 or 1000 Berrys 230gr plated I'll trade for Lasercast 200gr SWC. 

[YamaLink]

Spoke with a very knowledgeable guy at Bear Creek moments ago. He recommended a 200gr SWC or RN. He said RN because it'll be going in a revolver and would be great for speed loading.  As far as accuracy between the swc and rn, well, I told him my shooting ability and procedurals would negate any minute accuracy benefits for gaming.

Shipping is free for orders over $100.  Thanks for the info on BC. I'm debating between these and the Xtreme group buy in a couple of months; have enough 230gr rn plated to last me til then. Price would be the same.

[ekuo]

I have a stash of Bear Creek 200 gr SWC and 230 gr RN.  Don't have any 200 gr RN.  If you just want 50 of each to work up a load and test fire, I'm sure we can work something out.  Lemme know. 

[RGinIdaho]

I have some lasercast in 200gr RN that you are welcome to.

[YamaLink]

Big order of 200gr swc from Bear Creek coming in. Owner took the time to ask what I liked about my previous bullets, and gave tips on oal and seating for his. Basically said "I don't care about oal. As long as it fits in the mag and it falls in & out of the barrel easy."
Also tossing in a few 200gr RN.

Asked about my 9mm and told him I enjoyed plated or fmj and did not enjoy full lead or even moly 9mm. But he's sending a few samples of his 9mm 125grain.

Great customer service. Thanks for the info!

[HD-DVD]

Interesting topic, somehow I missed it the first time. Thanks for all the input!