9mm hand load with a cast bullet
Here is the cost to produce 9mm cast bullet practice loads.
Your costs may differ locally, so these are just a guide. In spite of all the excitement about lead
prices, scrap lead is still pretty economical.
The days of free lead wheel weights may be gone, but inexpensive lead is
still here. The cost of primers
represents the largest price increase, about $35 dollars per 1000. Buying in
bulk may be a way to lower the cost, especially if Wolf primers are considered.
The brass is once fired range pick ups.
Powder 1.2
cents
Primers 3.5
cents
Home Cast 2
cents
Lube (ALOX) 1
cent
Total 7.7
cents per round
100 rounds $7.70
1000 rounds $77.00
Important points for cast bullet hand loads used in
semi-automatic pistols.
·
Clean the brass and carefully inspect for before
priming and loading.
·
Bell the case mouth enough to accept the cast
bullet without shaving lead during the seating process.
·
Don’t overdo ALOX type lube, a thin coat is all
that is necessary. Too much lube can
cause chambering problems and malfunctions due to build up in the chamber.
·
Follow reputable loading manuals for powder
charge, and overall length for the loaded cartridge. This is critical for
feeding and function
·
Use a taper crimp to prevent the bullet from
being pushed deeper into the case during the travel from the magazine to the chamber.
These loads are great for practice or using in older pistols
to prevent barrel wear. Both the Beretta
92 and the war time P.38 functioned very well.
My guess is the pistols should be cleaned every few hundred rounds and
the bores brushed every 100 to 150 rounds.
Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDelete38 Special Brass
Bulk 223 Bullets for Reloading