Want to load Lead bullets!!

[Rafsob]

I more then likely will go with an XTP style bullet for hunting, but want to load some lead bullets for practice.  I have found a box of 500 200 gr. hard cast FP bullets and want to load these.  I will end up mimicking the POA and POI to the hunting round.  Any suggestions on powder?  I do have WC 820, which has the same characteristics of AA#9.  I also have different pistol powders, 231, titegroup...

I have a Para Elite LS Hunter.

Any help or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Raf

[gandog56]

I like powder coated lead better.

[The_Shadow]

Rafsob, The WC 820 may be your best choice here, the 200 grain is a heavy bullet and slower burn rate powders tend to give them the best shove.  TightGroup and 231 are useable but at slower velocities per charge weight before the pressure starts to peak around 1020 fps for that heavy weight.

I hope that the bullets are sized to at least 0.401" or slightly larger as that will yield a better bore seal and help to prevent leading.

Accurate Arms shows this for the Clements 205 gr cast bullet using AA#9 from when WC820 was its main component (microbead spherical)

No.9 10.6 grains @ 1018 fps
No.9 11.8 grains @ 1157 fps 36,200 PSI

Then you can compare that with the Speer 200gr TMJ

No.9 12.2 grains @ 1056 fps
No.9 13.5 grains @ 1200 fps 36,300 PSI

I have used 12.6 grains of AA#9 behind some of my own cast bullets with good results.

[Rafsob]

Hey Shadow, thanks for the info.  That is what I am looking for in lead bullet rounds.  Lead is cheaper to shoot and I like to try and match the POA/POI between the lead practice and jacketed hunting round.  This will help me work to that end.  I usually use
the AA#9 data, but back it off and work my way up.  It has worked so far and works fine.  I still have an 8# and a half jug so I like using it for my hand canon guns.

Hey Gandog, I would love to try these coated lead bullets, but that would mean I would have to do the coating.  I don't do this or does any of my buddies.  I would be totally lost in this process!!!  Thanks anyway pal.

[Pumpkinheaver]

You can powder coat with very little monetary investment. All you need is a toaster oven, a cool whip bowl, some black air soft BBs, powder coat powder and unlubed lead bullets.

[The_Shadow]

Pumpkinheaver. was that one coat or two...  they look great

[Pumpkinheaver]

That is one coat. I have been playing with my technique a bit, trying to get the best results I can.

[sqlbullet]

ES or tumble?

[Pumpkinheaver]

ES or tumble?

Tumble

[sqlbullet]

My tumble lube bullets always look clumpy.  Not sure if it is the dry climate or what.

[tommac919]

Love the look / colors...
One thing I noticed tho, at the local indoor range, another was shooting coated. When we walked down to replace targets, to me it smelled like an electrical insulation type burning.
He stated it was the coating.
Do they all have that smell?

[sqlbullet]

I would guess yes.  Almost all of them are a variation of thermo-set polymer.  They are gonna smell like hot plastic.

Way less vapors than bullet lube though.

[Pumpkinheaver]

There is a distinct odor when shooting PC bullets. It's not a bad smell just different from the normal odors when shooting.

[Sailormilan2]

I recently loaded 12.0 gr WC820 under a 180 TCFP coated cast bullet with decent results.  My test was not for accuracy or speed, strictly a function test.  They all worked, with decent accuracy at 15 yds.  Brass landed about 15 ft away.  Cases weren't bulged.  Resizing took less effort than the first time I sized them as once fired out of an unknown gun.

[gandog56]

This target was using 185 grain coated Precision Bullets. SO accuracy was very pleasing to me.