Lead Bullets in 9mm Commercial Ammo?

[mmattockx]

I am looking for 9mm with lead bullets in either factory ammo or commercial reloads in the Calgary area. I believe Wolf offers it, but have not seen any around town.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[MTF]

I don't know who offers lead-bulleted 9mm cartridges, other than custom reloaders, but if you're unaware of problems using 9mm lead bullets, let me give you the following information. Unless the lead is very hard, the relatively high velocity (over 1000 ft/sec) of 9mm cartridges will cause soft lead to leave deposits in the barrel. These lead deposits tend to be very difficult to remove and over time will degrade operation. That's a major reason why jacketed bullets are generally used. Lead bullets can certainly be used, but be careful of the hardness of the lead.

 

[mmattockx]

The reason I want lead is that the steel shoots at the Sheppard Range require lead bullets. Otherwise, I am with you on the virtues of jacketed or plated bullets.

Mark

 

[ben hunchak]

I'm going to respectfully disagree with the poster that is concerned about lead bullets causing problems in the 9mm with leading. Many times hard bullets cause more leading then they prevent, bullets cast from medium hard alloy tend to fill the barrel better on ignition, this is more important in some 9mms that have poly rifling or some such. Bullet fit is more important then bullet hardness when it comes to leading the barrel. Hard cast bullets that are not a good fit, will lead up a barrel quick, this will be made worst by the hard "shipping lubes" used by commercial casters, which are used to keep bullets from becoming messy during shipping and do nothing for the trip down the barrel. If unsure about this last point....check out some fired bullets recovered down range, they may still be full of hard lube, and have had no effect on keeping the barrel lead free.
There is great variation in bore dia.'s for the 9mm as they are produced all over the world, some fellow shooters have reported bores requiring bullets as big as .358", others have chambers requiring .354" bullets. Nail these dimensions down for your pistol, get proper sized cast bullets, and shoot accurately,problem free, and save a bundle of money over other bullets.

 

[Mike Oxlong]

The reason I want lead is that the steel shoots at the Sheppard Range require lead bullets. Otherwise, I am with you on the virtues of jacketed or plated bullets.

Mark

Instead, why not come up to MVMA for steel shoots?

The Alberta Tactical Handgun League has just affiliated with the Steel Challenge Shooting Association. http://steelchallenge.com/

They're in the process of acquiring the requisite targets and should be publishing the match schedule shortly.

And best of all, no 'lead bullets only' restrictions!

 

[Canuck44]

I'm going to respectfully disagree with the poster that is concerned about lead bullets causing problems in the 9mm with leading. Many times hard bullets cause more leading then they prevent, bullets cast from medium hard alloy tend to fill the barrel better on ignition, this is more important in some 9mms that have poly rifling or some such. Bullet fit is more important then bullet hardness when it comes to leading the barrel. Hard cast bullets that are not a good fit, will lead up a barrel quick, this will be made worst by the hard "shipping lubes" used by commercial casters, which are used to keep bullets from becoming messy during shipping and do nothing for the trip down the barrel. If unsure about this last point....check out some fired bullets recovered down range, they may still be full of hard lube, and have had no effect on keeping the barrel lead free.
There is great variation in bore dia.'s for the 9mm as they are produced all over the world, some fellow shooters have reported bores requiring bullets as big as .358", others have chambers requiring .354" bullets. Nail these dimensions down for your pistol, get proper sized cast bullets, and shoot accurately,problem free, and save a bundle of money over other bullets.

I could not have said it better. I cast my bullets from WW, water droped to harden. I size them .357 for all my 9MM guns. Other than my new Shadow none of my guns show any evidence of leading. Soft lube is the way to go particularly if you cast your own. I have to say the newer 9MM guns from Europe and the US pretty much have the barrel bore diamenter at .355 but you are bound to get some variation in some guns.

Leading is caused in the main from gas cutting due to ineffective lube which you touched on or undersized bullets.

Take Care

Bob