Lead bullets vs copper plated.

[mif_slim]

So, like the last few posts, I've been trying to figure out if I should reload 40 cal because I have about 1500 of them sitting in my bag and their all in excellent shape, but like I said before, should I reload them? since I get 17 cents per round and I can get 16 cents per round from another shop. Anyways, I found 500 rounds of Lead 40 cal at a local shop selling for 20 bucks. I was thinking, would they be diffrent in performance compare to copper plated? I know that it might cause lead fouling later but how bad?

I think it would cost me to make 0.10 cents per round..but is it worth it?

[sloopy70]

Youll be fine to reload lead... just dont shoot over 1,000 rounds without cleaning it... the xd barrels don't lead up much... I put 500 rounds through mine and couldn't see any leading in the barrel... most people who shoot uspsa/ipsc reload lead cause its alot cheaper...

[fredj338]

mif, I'm not sure how you are doing the math but if you buy 500 lead bullets for $20=0.04c each + 0.2 for primer + 0.2 max. for powder = 0.8c/. That means you are shooting for half of your WWB. Yes they will be alittle dirtier but half? An easy call for me as I shoot almost exclusively lead bullet.

[mif_slim]

Originally Posted by fredj338

mif, I'm not sure how you are doing the math but if you buy 500 lead bullets for $20=0.04c each + 0.2 for primer + 0.2 max. for powder = 0.8c/. That means you are shooting for half of your WWB. Yes they will be alittle dirtier but half? An easy call for me as I shoot almost exclusively lead bullet.

Well, here's my ruff cacultion:

Powder: $22.00 per 454oz/15(15.xx gn=1 oz) = ~6810grn/~6.5gn(perload)= 1047gn/2= 523.5 (but rounded off to 500)= 11.00 per 500 rounds

Bullet: 500 rnds per $20.00

Primer: $3.00(2.50 rounded off for tax+) per 100primer x 5 = 15.00

$11.00 + $20.00 + $15.00 = $46/500= 0.092 round it off to be 0.10

Total of 500 rounds to be ~0.10 each round..

[fredj338]

Well there is actually 7000gr / pound but let's not quibble. If you buy your primers & powder in larger vol. the price goes down quite abit. Even @ 9c/rd, that is almost half of WWWB. Reload or not, your call, but it's definetly cheaper if you are shooting at least 2K-3L/yr.

[mif_slim]

I just went to do some research on casting my own bullets....seems like it'll cost me more then buying cast bullets from the manufacture. Doesnt that suck?! haha

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by mif_slim

I just went to do some research on casting my own bullets....seems like it'll cost me more then buying cast bullets from the manufacture. Doesnt that suck?! haha

True, if you have to buy your alloy. If you can scrounge it for free or really cheap, and your time is worth little, then casting your own is really cheap shooting. I have a very complete casting setup. I can cast & lube/size 500 bullets in alittle over an hour. I haven;t done any serious casting in over 10yrs, but kept the gear & metal just incase. I can still get lead bullets pretty reasonable so I only cast specialty bullets right now.
The best place to scrounge cheap or free metal is tire shops. If you can find one that will give you or sell you 5gal buckets of wheel weights (WW) then you have the perfect metal for casting your own. A 5gal bucket yields about 100# of usable alloy. That's good for about 3500-4000 bullets for just your time & abit of electricity & a stick of lube every 1000 or so.
These guys are pretty reasonable: http://www.customcastbullets.com/

[John4538]

If you can get pretty cheap lead a casting outfit will soon pay off if you shoot alot. I get free lead from my range-now have about 2300 pounds in garage and still collecting more.

I can reload 38's, 40's and 45's all day long for about $1.75 per 50. I did spend a lot to get started but figure it is pretty much now paid for after about 4 years.

I agree that if you have to pay a lot for lead it is cheaper to buy them already cast. Wheel weights are a bear to find now and the price is going up for them.

If you have the time and low cost lead you can save a bundle.

John

[mif_slim]

Originally Posted by John4538

If you can get pretty cheap lead a casting outfit will soon pay off if you shoot alot. I get free lead from my range-now have about 2300 pounds in garage and still collecting more.

I can reload 38's, 40's and 45's all day long for about $1.75 per 50. I did spend a lot to get started but figure it is pretty much now paid for after about 4 years.

I agree that if you have to pay a lot for lead it is cheaper to buy them already cast. Wheel weights are a bear to find now and the price is going up for them.

If you have the time and low cost lead you can save a bundle.

John

mind if you just cast for me and I'll just buy from you? say...$20 per 500 rounds? haha..thanks for the tips though..that sure makes the cost go down a lot!

[rockerz71]

Originally Posted by John4538

I get free lead from my range-now have about 2300 pounds in garage and still collecting more.

I haven't figured out how to set up my press yet and casting is already sounding interesting. Will most ranges give you lead and if not, what do they do with it? I have never noticed any of the ones I have gone to selling either lead or cast bullets.