9mm lead bullets?

Freedomofchoice · October 15th, 2009, 11:49 PM

I was thinking of loading some 9mm lead bullets, but I was wondering if 9mm loads are too fast for lead. Do they create leading problems?

HotGuns · October 15th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Not really. Most lead bullet loads are pretty mild and you shouldnt notice any leading until you have shot a few hundred rounds.

Its a cheap way to shoot and I use a lot of lead.

dukalmighty · October 16th, 2009, 05:45 AM

I been shooting lead 9mm for years and never have a problem

automatic slim · October 16th, 2009, 06:18 AM

I tried this once in a S&W 5906. After a few rounds lead started building up on the feed ramp causing FTF problems. Maybe it was just that particular gun, but I've stuck to jacketed since.

frankmako · October 16th, 2009, 08:01 AM

i reload 9mm and never had a problem. one thing about reloading you can work up some good loads for the 9. remember you don't have to run them hot.

dukalmighty · October 16th, 2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automatic slim

I tried this once in a S&W 5906. After a few rounds lead started building up on the feed ramp causing FTF problems. Maybe it was just that particular gun, but I've stuck to jacketed since.

Sounds like your bullets were too soft,pure lead bullets are great for muzzle loaders but will cause excessive leading in modern firearms

alnitak · October 16th, 2009, 11:46 AM

I shoot lead all the time in my 9mm. The general rule of thumb (read somewhere, can't quote the source) is that leading is not an issue until you start going above 1100+ fps. I do know that I shoot cast bullets in my levergun rifles all the time, at speeds of 1350-1800 fps and have never had any leading problems. As one poster said, you can buy the appropriate lead bullet (with the right hardness, tin content, etc.) for 9mm speeds that will not lead-up at all -- just don't use pure, soft lead.

Ghuqu2 · October 16th, 2009, 04:23 PM

The only problem you might run into is if your barrel is polygonal rifled instead of standard rifling. DO NOT shoot lead through PG rifled barrels. They will lead up quickly, and cause high pressures. Glocks and the PM line of Kahrs are PG rifled. I know of aftermarket barrels standard rifled for the Glocks, but not the Kahrs.

HotGuns · October 16th, 2009, 04:26 PM

HK's have polygonal rifling too.

Majorlk · October 16th, 2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnitak

I shoot lead all the time in my 9mm. The general rule of thumb (read somewhere, can't quote the source) is that leading is not an issue until you start going above 1100+ fps. I do know that I shoot cast bullets in my levergun rifles all the time, at speeds of 1350-1800 fps and have never had any leading problems. As one poster said, you can buy the appropriate lead bullet (with the right hardness, tin content, etc.) for 9mm speeds that will not lead-up at all -- just don't use pure, soft lead.

You want hard cast, and not swaged.

October 15th, 2009, 11:49 PM	#1
Freedomofchoice Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 473	9mm lead bullets? I was thinking of loading some 9mm lead bullets, but I was wondering if 9mm loads are too fast for lead. Do they create leading problems? __________________ Don't make it easy for a thief, secure your firearm when not in use!

October 15th, 2009, 11:55 PM	#2
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,582	Not really. Most lead bullet loads are pretty mild and you shouldnt notice any leading until you have shot a few hundred rounds. Its a cheap way to shoot and I use a lot of lead. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

October 16th, 2009, 05:45 AM	#3
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6,383	I been shooting lead 9mm for years and never have a problem __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

October 16th, 2009, 06:18 AM	#4
automatic slim Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The western edge of The Confederacy Posts: 1,222	I tried this once in a S&W 5906. After a few rounds lead started building up on the feed ramp causing FTF problems. Maybe it was just that particular gun, but I've stuck to jacketed since. __________________ "First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand." Edge of Darkness

October 16th, 2009, 08:01 AM	#5
frankmako VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 2,488	i reload 9mm and never had a problem. one thing about reloading you can work up some good loads for the 9. remember you don't have to run them hot. __________________ An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. Red State State of Mind

October 16th, 2009, 11:46 AM	#7
alnitak Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 258	I shoot lead all the time in my 9mm. The general rule of thumb (read somewhere, can't quote the source) is that leading is not an issue until you start going above 1100+ fps. I do know that I shoot cast bullets in my levergun rifles all the time, at speeds of 1350-1800 fps and have never had any leading problems. As one poster said, you can buy the appropriate lead bullet (with the right hardness, tin content, etc.) for 9mm speeds that will not lead-up at all -- just don't use pure, soft lead.

October 16th, 2009, 04:23 PM	#8
Ghuqu2 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 288	The only problem you might run into is if your barrel is polygonal rifled instead of standard rifling. DO NOT shoot lead through PG rifled barrels. They will lead up quickly, and cause high pressures. Glocks and the PM line of Kahrs are PG rifled. I know of aftermarket barrels standard rifled for the Glocks, but not the Kahrs. __________________ "The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us." Patrick Henry 1775 Vegetarian: Indian for inept hunter.

October 16th, 2009, 04:26 PM	#9
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,582	HK's have polygonal rifling too. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

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