freezingduck Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I came to the point where I was getting ready to order casting equipment for 9mm. I was going to order the Lee TL356-124-2r mold and a pot. Trying to get a delivery time from a few shops in Norway, the biggest one said something that I didn't think was that big of a problem. He said that he could sell me this items, but he recommended me to stay clear of lead bullets because of the smoke. He said that the smoke in 9mm was so bad that no one that shoots a lot would consider it. He said that it was useless for IPSC in 9mm because of the smoke. Is the smoke really that bad wit Lee Alox and lead in 9mm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Is the smoke really that bad wit Lee Alox and lead in 9mm? Lots of people hate lead bullets due to the smoke, the extra cleaning and potential health problems, but there are many shooters who shoot lead because it's cheaper - Smoke is mainly a problem in hot, humid conditions with little breeze - sounds like you shouldn't have much of a problem there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DinosaurMikeGolf Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I've been shooting that cast bullet and Lee Alox for several months now using Alliant Power Pistol powder and only notice smoke early in the mornings when shooting matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leas327 Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 You might want to look at the cost of it. I got into casting when I wanted to save money on 45 and specialty 357/38 stuff. With that kind of thing I can make my own for about a 25% what I can buy jacketed for (plus my time). And most of the time I can buy lead bullets for half the cost of jacketed. I don't shoot 9mm but from what I gather the price difference from lead to jacketed isn't as great. The smoke will always be there. My test is an evening shoot in late July with the sun in your face. Some combos are better than others but they all smoke. I keep some Montana Golds around for what I like to call "Jacketed Season". Casting is like reloading. Once you have the baic equipment changing calibers isn't a huge deal. I now have bullets that are hard to come by in 38. I have a ton of bulk stuff that shoots great in 45. I also can run 40 lead in a stock Glock barrel without leading issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 I shoot lots of lead bullets lubed with alox and beeswax and have never noticed the smoke during a string. It's there, and I see it plainly on the video if someone records my string but I've never been distracted by it. Indoors, it's an issue. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryt Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 have you tried bear creek bullets? They are a moly coated lead bullet. They do smoke a little. Not like regular lead bullets though. You also dont get the leading and dreaded cleaning issues afterwards. I get mine from extremeventures.com. I have had great results so far with them and they are open to suggestions for different sizes, weights or even other brands. Just thought I would pass it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HITEK Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I came to the point where I was getting ready to order casting equipment for 9mm. I was going to order the Lee TL356-124-2r mold and a pot. Trying to get a delivery time from a few shops in Norway, the biggest one said something that I didn't think was that big of a problem. He said that he could sell me this items, but he recommended me to stay clear of lead bullets because of the smoke. He said that the smoke in 9mm was so bad that no one that shoots a lot would consider it. He said that it was useless for IPSC in 9mm because of the smoke. Is the smoke really that bad wit Lee Alox and lead in 9mm? What is a concern, is that there is very little information on the composition of smoke that is produced. Does any one have any data, on what the smoke is composed of? I have spent some time at outdoor ranges, with 10-15 shooters, and the clouds are like a bushfire, when all are shooting at targets with various guns, with hard cast Lead alloys, lubricated with their own brews. On same range, when many are using the coated hard cast projectiles, dont seem to produce any where the same clouds of smoke. I can only imagine, that majority of lubes simply do not work adequately, and burn with heat of burning powder, and from friction generated. Tell tale signs of inadequat lubing are residues that require cleaning afterwards from Barrels. It is difficult to follow up shooters to find out what was involved with cleaning afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modoc Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 The smoke also depends on the powder used. I have never had a problem with it shooting CAS or USPSA/IPSC. Of course when shooting Cowboy Action, I have a tendency to use black powder which brings its own issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edison Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 there's a top 16 production shooter that only shoots lead. you can see his blue lube on the target. Smoke isn't that bad outdoors. btw .356 leaded my xdm, but .357/.358 shoots clean and accurate. .358 works in my glock17 too. fyi - in case you're having issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOF Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 If you shoot cast lead bullets with the required external waxy lubricant you are going to get smoke. Fact if life. It's the lube burning as the bullet goes down the barrel. You can also get some smoke with the new 'wunderskind' coatings on lead bullets (but not with plated lead). Some powders produce less smoke than others, but all will smoke. TightGroup is the VERY worst offender in the smoke department. You might want to try Clays, 231/HP38, or WSF. They'll still smoke... but not nearly as much as some other powders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobS761 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 My experience Clays had MUCH less smoke than TG. But I'm still testing. Probably going to experiement with the lube as well. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reinz Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 If you shoot cast lead bullets with the required external waxy lubricant you are going to get smoke. Fact if life. It's the lube burning as the bullet goes down the barrel. You can also get some smoke with the new 'wunderskind' coatings on lead bullets (but not with plated lead). Some powders produce less smoke than others, but all will smoke. TightGroup is the VERY worst offender in the smoke department. You might want to try Clays, 231/HP38, or WSF. They'll still smoke... but not nearly as much as some other powders. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Service Desk Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I must have cast and shot over a ton of lead projectiles in the last 30 years..... the smoke was never thick enough to obscure my sights while I was lookin' at them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I voted YES! Why? Do a night shoot with a flashlight and all you see after the first shot is dense fog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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