Pro2AInPA Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I shoot lead bullets exclusively out of my competition pistol due to the drastic cost savings. However as we all know lead bullets tend to create quite a bit of smoke which can hinder performance as a result of trying to see the next target through the cloud of smoke. I load a 124gr flat nose lead bullet (9mm). What I'm thinking is this: I shoot a lot more rounds in practice than in actual mathces. Therefore, if I continue to shoot lead in practice I will continue to save significant money on ammo costs. What if I come up with a load using a jacketed bullet of the same weight with the same PF as my lead practice ammo and use the jacketed load for matches? I can't think of any disadvantages to this plan. Can any of you? Oh, and Happy New Year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Christian Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 No disadvantage at all, as long as you keep the recoil impluse the same so that you don't screw up your timing. Chris Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wideload Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 The practice of using cast lead loads for practice is more prevalent with larger caliber/heavier bullets where the differential in actual cost per round is greater. Currently I've started experimenting with 9mm coated bullets (125s and 135s) from Bayou Bullets and am thinking I am going to try the following over the next few months: * For in-door shooting -- use Bayou Bullets (coated bullets) to control smoke. (In process of working out the load and my first trip to the range with my initial loads in both bullet weights look promising. Need to try them out at the next indoor club match.) * For out-door shooting/local matches -- use cast bullets of similar weight using same powder and similar powder charge. Need to see if this combo can maintain similar zero and velocity out of my CZ so that my "practice" rounds closely resemble the "match" rounds in relative accuracy as well as perceived recoil/cycling of the gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSeevers Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I did it until I felt the smoke was hindering my visual performance and I was also noticing a difference in "feel". Things like recoil impulse, comp timing and torque I started feeling. I don't think its an issue for some people and til later in your development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCV Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I like these......>>>>>>>Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets or even Rainer... The price is great with no smoke.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) I like these......>>>>>>>Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets or even Rainer... The price is great with no smoke.... Berry bullets prices are outrageous, unless you have some super secret discount I dont know about. You mentioned in your post "Drastic" savings. you are either getting a really great deal on cast, or a really lousy deal on jacketed. A quick search for 124's per k delivered. Cast keads, $65 Moly/poly coated, $62 FMJ $72, oh and Berry's $83 I have had less than stellar results shooting lead in 9mm. The hassel factor and dirt of dealing with lead and maintaining multiple ammo supplies looks like more trouble than it's worth Edited January 3, 2010 by Joe4d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro2AInPA Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 I know you quoted someone else but: 1. I get my cast bullets for $45/k at the local gun shop. A small outfit locally makes them. 2. Where are you seeing 124gr FMJs for $72 delivered? Last I checked the MG bullets were well over $100/k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baer45 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 If I had to guess you are buying your cast bullets for $45.00 per 500, not per 1,000. The caster would loose his shirt at 45.00 per thousand.. Look for sales and buy in volume. I bought 10k Berrys from Cabela's on sale and even negotiated that price down. Can't remember what I paid but it was very affordable....same with MG when I order them.... I was getting Laser Cast lead swc for my 45 at around 50.00 per 500 delevered plus and xtra 1000 for every 5k ordered...I order Laser Cast in 10k quantity(sp) and is the only lead I shoot... Good shooting-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerba Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) 2. Where are you seeing 124gr FMJs for $72 delivered? Last I checked the MG bullets were well over $100/k. FYI: MG 124 FMJ are $292 for 3750 = $77.87/1k That's just buying 1 case. Joe may be getting quantity discounts. Edited January 3, 2010 by racerba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck223 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I question if the savings in ammo is worth the dicking around with differnet loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Delta Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Try Precision Delta. They have 124gr. for $72 delivered. Here is a link. http://www.precisiondelta.com/index.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro2AInPA Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 If I had to guess you are buying your cast bullets for $45.00 per 500, not per 1,000. The caster would loose his shirt at 45.00 per thousand..Look for sales and buy in volume. I bought 10k Berrys from Cabela's on sale and even negotiated that price down. Can't remember what I paid but it was very affordable....same with MG when I order them.... I was getting Laser Cast lead swc for my 45 at around 50.00 per 500 delevered plus and xtra 1000 for every 5k ordered...I order Laser Cast in 10k quantity(sp) and is the only lead I shoot... Good shooting-- You'd be guessing wrong. They're $22.50/500 plus tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro2AInPA Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 Try Precision Delta. They have 124gr. for $72 delivered. Here is a link.http://www.precisiondelta.com/index.php Thanks! Do they still have a minimum order of 2k? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitestir Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I just bought some moly coated that I am going to try. I had been using Berry's that I had gotton before the huge price increases but I am almost out. I miss the days of getting them from cabela's for $68 per k shipped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 yep I get jacketed from Precision Delta, 72 is normal price, you can get em cheaper in larger quantities. Like I said you must be getting a great deal on cast. 45 per K is pretty good that much of a savings would be worth the trouble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONY EXPRESS Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Try Black Bullets, they are coated. I have had good results with them. Remenber to lower you powder charge! Check'em out blackbulletsinternational.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msredneck Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I shoot the moly coated precision bullets in 9mm in a Glock 17 If you use the powders they recommend, you won't have much of a smoking problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photog Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Do these guys ship lead bullets at $45/1000???????????? Sign me up if they do!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Boudrie Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Do they still have a minimum order of 2k? I believe so, since UPS has not changed the size of the flat rate box - which is just right for 2K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCV Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Berry bullets prices are outrageous, unless you have some super secret discount I dont know about. You mentioned in your post "Drastic" savings. you are either getting a really great deal on cast, or a really lousy deal on jacketed. Wow I didnt know they had went up that much. Last I bought were much less than you mentioned. I will admite I have not ordered any in a long while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Berry made good bullets that were only slightly higher than cast, I had a local dealer that got them in by the pallet and I used them all the time, then they musta started gold plating them because the prices went sky high, way higher than bulk jacketed, I guess sombody soemwhere is buying them I just dont know who. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Burtchell Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 We had a good discussion on this a few months back, too. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...l=lead+jacketed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Z Sr Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Surprised that no one else seems to be casting. I cast all my practice loads and save alot of money. Some say that it's a waste of time, but oddly enough, I enjoy the casting, and it gives me a feeling that I will always have bullets to shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Gaines Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I do it, shoot moly in practice or practice matches and montana gold in major, for everything except scoped guns. Open shoot straight montana gold bullets in practice and matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickatnite Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Try Black Bullets, they are coated. I have had good results with them. Remenber to lower you powder charge! Check'em outblackbulletsinternational.com I love these things!!! For practice, I'm shooting these with 4.2 gr of Win WSF and the smoke is NOT that bad... Oh yeah, I'm shooting these out of my Glock G-17 with a LW bbl and they group good too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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