Loading for Lead

(((Echo)))

(((Echo)))

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This has probably been asked before, but my searches turned up nothing.

***How much do you reduce powder charges for lead bullets?***

Say I want to shoot ?-grn SWC, but only have a load receipe for jacketed (same weight). How much should I reduce the powder for the lead?

Thanks
(E) 8)
 
Depends on the cartridge, in many cases you don't reduce at all. But you may find that faster powders work better. (not always) They help obturate (seal the bore) by expanding the lead base.
I can use full charges without leading in the 30-30 with 170 grain bullets for example, as long as bullets wear a gas check.
I use full charges in the 44 mag (rifle) too. Using hard cast plain base bullets. (some leading depending on the lube).
Check out Hogdon's, or Lyman's manual for lead bullet loads.
 
I found when I loaded FMJ 230 gr. .45 BULLETS instead of 230 gr LEAD BULLETS , with the same powder charge , the lead bullets were about 130 fps faster . This caused problems with the POWER FACTOR at the IPSC nationals a few years back. because my usual lead loads were 135 fps over all the time to make MAJOR , with the FMJ I was right on the boarder of making major, and just made it with averaging of all shots fired. I found the FMJ bullets to be approximately 100 to 200 fps slower with same powder charge.
 
I've found, with the same bullet weights, it takes approximately 1gr less powder to drive a lead bullet the same speed as a jacketed bullet.

Notice the word approximately. :wink:
 
All I know is that it makes a big difference with magnum pistol cartridges. I found that levels were pretty high with lead bullets and powder weights close to those of jacketed.
 
In general, soft lead will start leading in the 1200fps range depending on design, powder, filler, bore fit, and lube.
Hard lead will start to lead the bore in the 1900 to 2000 fps range depending on the same factors. Gas checks will give you a bit more room for speed.
As mentioned above, lead flies 100 to 200fps faster than jacketted presumably due to reduced bore friction.
If you are going to use a rifle with lead bullets, the starting point is to load down to 30-30 levels.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.
To those that hinted, I've read my manuals. The best I could find were "special" loads or Cowboy Action. I know you can drive lead alot faster than those. I don't want to go uber-sonic with the lead vaporizing the target, just a little more that the 900 FPS special loads. Its nice to know that with hard cast, I should be able to shoot 1200-1400 in my .44 Mag. with little problems.

(E) 8)
 
The lyman manual has great loads for cast bullets.

What are you after? Send me a PM describing the cartridge and bullet weight you'll use, I 'll look it up for ya.

By the way. At on etime I looked online and in books for infor on just how much (in percentage) to decrease a load for cast bullets. I soon found it isn't that cut and dried. There is no fast rule for all cartridges and cast bullets.
 
Pick up a copy of LYMAN's "Cast Bullet Handbook"
It has nothing but cast bullet loads, and a wealth of information on how to cast, tricks, and trouble shooting. Well worth it. I have the third edition, and it's getting quite dog eared.
 
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