lube swagged vs cast

358Scout

358Scout

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I have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 45 Colt. Having used different bullets by different makers, I'm considering making my own.
My loads now shoot very good, but I'm wondering if care and consistent lead mixtures would group even better?
Many years ago when I had my PPC revolver, I used swagged bullets which may have been sized but were not lubed.

1. Is swagged lead better?

2. If swagged bullets need not be lubed - why so with cast?

3. What would happen if a cast bullet had no lube grooves?

Opinions please..........
 
In fact most swaged bullets are lubed. It may be a dry lube that coats the entire billet so that the bullet appears not to be lubed but it is. It is very rare to find a cast bullet design with no lube groove(s) but if you do you could use a lube like Lee Lliquid Alox or Rooster Jacket if you can find it (no longer in production).

Good quality cast bullets perform as well as swaged. However, cast bullets can also have voids or imperfections which may affect their accuracy. Swaged bullets are usually more consistent so should theoretically be more accurate but unless cast bullets have gross imperfections, none but the very best shooters shooting at longer distances (e.g. 50 yards) will notice a difference. A lot of swaged bullets are hollow based which may give a better gas seal if fired at proper velocities and theoretically give improved accuracy but again, only the best shooters will be able to take advantage of these minute differences.
 
Good quality cast bullets can shoot just as well as swaged bullets, and especially true in the velocity range of the 45 colt and similar cartridges. Cast bullets are more size sensitive. Most people that have trouble with cast bullets are using bullets that are too small. Minimum .001 larger than groove diameter; with lead of the proper hardness .002"-.003" is better.
 
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