I'am loading my first lead bullets for my 44magnum and have a box of Hornady 240gr.lead swc..do i need any type of lube/wax on these bullets?I dont know if they have a semi-wax on them now or not?Also do/can i still crimp these?
Thanks for any help..

No, lube needed.

Hornady lead bullets are pre-lubricated and cold-swaged.

Yes, you need to crimp them.

"Hornady lead bullets are pre-lubricated and cold-swaged."

And very very soft, don't try to push them too fast or you'll have some leading issues. Can also be very very accurate with the right load.

Thanks a bunch for the help!
I loaded some up an shot them,they shot very good,,i'am right at book max and the manual says at the max load i should be getting around 1000 fps. is this to fast & can i get leading problems with this speed?I feel like i'am going to the" dark side" loading lead bullets,,, but will save $$$$ & can shoot 2x as much for double the fun

quote:

Originally posted by blackbearhunter:
Thanks a bunch for the help!
I loaded some up an shot them,they shot very good,,i'am right at book max and the manual says at the max load i should be getting around 1000 fps. is this to fast & can i get leading problems with this speed?I feel like i'am going to the" dark side" loading lead bullets,,, but will save $$$$ & can shoot 2x as much for double the fun

That's not necessarily max pressure wise, but cold swaged lead bullets ar very soft & will likely lead w/ the thin, dry lube film if oushed beyond 1000fps. There are many casting outfits out there that make a better bullet for less cost & they can be driven much faster. I routinely drive cast 250grLSWC @ 1300fps w/ no leading & exc accuracy.

IMHO I'd keep them at a bit below max, but it all depends on your gun and what it likes. And how much fun you have using a Lewis Lead Remover.

If you check around you'll probably find a local person or company where you can buy actual cast bullets for about the same price as the Hornady swaged bullets and then the real fun starts.

Which ever way you go more shooting is always better.

I just started reloading 45 colt and found these bullet suppiers.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/products-c2-Bullets.aspx

http://www.laser-cast.com/45Cal.html

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG...llets.com/plated.htm

I think shipping is free with all three

I also heard microlon wiped in the bore and cylinders will eliminate leading, anyone use it?

http://www.microlon.com/gun_metal_treatment.php



.

What ever happened to Bull-X?

quote:

Originally posted by blackbearhunter:
i should be getting around 1000 fps. is this to fast & can i get leading problems with this speed?

You can get Leading at any velocity, it is a balance between the Alloy, Lubricant used, the particular amont and type of Powder, the alignment of the Cylinder with the Bore and the Bore Condition. Even with all the variables, it is generally fairly easy to achieve a usable Balance with minor Leading.

quote:

...will save $$$$ & can shoot 2x as much for double the fun

Not only that, but it easily extends the Barrel Life(accuracy) 12-15x.

Lead is excellent Bullet material which is often overlooked. Best of luck to you.

quote:

Not only that, but it easily extends the Barrel Life(accuracy) 12-15x.

Lead is excellent Bullet material which is often overlooked. Best of luck to you.

Is this due to lower pressure/temperatures or something else?
Both metals are very soft compared to barrel steel and lubricity is similar, maybe better in coppers favor or so I`ve been told.

Good question and I'd say both. Back when I shot a 45ACP a whole lot is when we(as a group) became convinced of the longer barrel life.

It would be an excellent question for someone who currently competes with a 45ACP. It was not uncommon to notice an accuracy loss with Jacketed bullets in 15-25k shots. But we would get 150-250k shots with Lead before the accuracy changed enough that we could be sure it had changed.

I would expect it to be closer to the 150k shot level with a 38Spl Revolver and maybe 75-90k shots with his 44Mag - but that is speculation based on 357Mag and 44Mag experience.

Perhaps it is different "today" with the current components, but that is the way it used to work. If you can shoot enough today(without a sponsor) to be able to wear-out a barrel, you have done real well.