[coframer]

I recently came across some 124gr Laser Cast bullets, Oregon Trail Company. Haven't loaded with yet. Just curious, do these load the same as a FMJ bullet or should I change the load up a liitle. Currently with 124gr. FMJ I am using 4.5grs of Win 231 and a OAL of 1.125 with Win, Rem primers. Don't know if it makes a difference. Would appreciate any info. Thanks

[Cy Soto]

I see you went to Sportsman's Warehouse!

In my experience, if you are looking to achieve the same PF as with FMJ bullets, you will have to lower the amount of powder you use. I have never used Win 231 but, when using WSF, it took me 5.0gr to make ~130PF with FMJ and only 4.6gr with LRN bullets.

[rhett45acp]

I shoot a lot of Laser Cast in 45 acp.

In somewhat general rule, lead bullets produce more velocity than jacketed. I think the basis is lead is softer and makes a better gas seal.

For example: Here is some data from my logs.

Kimber 1911 in 45ACP

W231 5.5 grs WLP LaserCast 200 LSWC Average velocity 889 10 shot string

W231 5.5 grs WLP Speer 200 JHP. Average velocity 838 10 shot string

80F and at 12:00PM


From Oregon Trail's Manual for 9x19 1st edition

124 Round Nose Lead
W231 4.0 grs 1020
W231 4.4 grs 1094


From Speer's Manual for 9x19 13th edition

124 SP/GD-HP Jacketed
W231 4.0 grs 887
W231 4.5 grs 998

125 Grain Speer L-RN
W231 3.8 grs 911
W231 4.1 grs 982

So, as you can see, there is a big difference between cast lead and jacketed.

I would get a good reloading manual and follow the rules: Start low - work your way up.

[BMartens]

Try Hodgdon's web site for W231 loads. Lead normally takes less powder to achieve the same results compared to jacketed.

I shot a lot of LaserCast bullets until their price went through the roof.

Hodgdon Powder

[calishootr]

2 reasons of the top of my head for lead running a lighter powder charge for a given velocity, depending on the lead, you will get better obturation ofthe base ofthe bullet which will seal the gases better, hence morevelocity than jacketed, and 2. less friction to deal with, most if not all lead bullets are softerthan most if not all jacketed materials, lead's advantages 'were' they were cheaperthan jacketed(key word being were) now?? well its a toss up as to what you use, i still run jacketed onlythur my open guns(am sooooo done with cleaning lead out of a comp) but shoot a mix of lead for practice and jacketed for a match thru my limited guns....

[Baer45]

I use a lot of Laser Cast and they are my favorite lead bullets. I shoot the 45 acp with their 200 gr. SWC over 4.4 of VV N-310 for a one holer...
Currently I am shooting their 124 gr. LRN over 4.5 of HP-38. If you ask Laser Cast they have recipes for all of their bullets and I am sure you will find one there that will work....

[Baer45]

O yeah...I forgot...Laser Cast is a much harder lead then most on market so that does come into play with powder choices, etc. Harder does make for a little less mess. Ask them to mail you their recipes and you will find one that works...

[mike4045]

The first loads I made with 231 was really smoky. I went to WSF, some smoke. So far they have been pretty accurate. No leading is a big plus.

[Cy Soto]

mike4045, on Oct 2 2009, 08:37 PM, said:

The first loads I made with 231 was really smoky. I went to WSF, some smoke. So far they have been pretty accurate. No leading is a big plus.

WST or SOLO 1000 will produce even less smoke than WSF (with bare lead bullets).

[coframer]

Cy Soto, on Oct 2 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

mike4045, on Oct 2 2009, 08:37 PM, said:

The first loads I made with 231 was really smoky. I went to WSF, some smoke. So far they have been pretty accurate. No leading is a big plus.

WST or SOLO 1000 will produce even less smoke than WSF (with bare lead bullets).

I have noticed some smoke with the 231 also. Are the WSF and SOLO faster burning? What causes the 231 to be a smokey powder?

[Joe4d]

Not so much the powder as Laser Casts lube, I think they perfected the smoke generating lube.