Lead bullets

[mediocrewhiteguy]

I just joined a gun club with an indoor range. The clubs policy at the indoor range is, "No jacketed ammunition, Lead bullets only". I don't have much experience with ammunition, so I wanted to pose a couple of questions. Is there anything extra that I need to take into consideration when firing lead ammunition? Does it shoot as accurately as jacketed ammo?
Thanks

[forsberg-21]

I shoot lead alloy bullets that I have cast often and have few complaints. The only thing I would recommend is to use a good solvent to help remove the lead deposits from you barrel after a round of shooting. There are a ba-zillion on the market. I like the Hoppes lead removing kit. Leaves things pretty clean.

[mediocrewhiteguy]

Judging by your response, I take it the soft lead leaves particles in the barrel? Can that cause long term damage to your barrel?

[Gos]

I just joined a gun club with an indoor range. The clubs policy at the indoor range is, "No jacketed ammunition, Lead bullets only". I don't have much experience with ammunition, so I wanted to pose a couple of questions. Is there anything extra that I need to take into consideration when firing lead ammunition? Does it shoot as accurately as jacketed ammo?
Thanks

My indoor range doesn't allow steel jacketed ammunition, or any ammunition that attracts a magnet on any part of the bullet or case.

I'm guessing that's what they're trying to ban, for a variety of good and bad reasons. You should check with them. If they don't allow FMJ/ball ammo, that's gonna be a PITA. FMJ/ball ammo is a lead bullet inside a copper jacket. Copper is soft, and shouldn't cause any issues with backstops etc.

[mediocrewhiteguy]

Good point Gos! I'll have to ask them. Thanks

[HK SD9 Tactical]

I just joined a gun club with an indoor range. The clubs policy at the indoor range is, "No jacketed ammunition, Lead bullets only". I don't have much experience with ammunition, so I wanted to pose a couple of questions. Is there anything extra that I need to take into consideration when firing lead ammunition? Does it shoot as accurately as jacketed ammo?
Thanks

It's good ammo. Only thing is that it has limits on it as far as velocity is concerned. Some lead will start to come apart at certain speeds. The phenonomon that you are describing is called "Leading" and when using lead ammo, you can bet a build-up of lead on the lands and groves. This can lead to a narrowing of the barrel and a potential high pressure event. You need to keep your barrel clean after every time you shoot and if you shoot alot in one day (alot alot), you may have to clean it more than once.

Just keep an eye on it. You are aware of it now so you know what to look for.

[Visceral_Malice]

There's nothing wrong with shooting lead. Its perfectly accurate as long as you get good quality. Just make sure to scrub out your barrel as lead will remain in the rifling. You can use Hoppe's No. 9 solvent or any decent gun solvent and scrub with a brass brush and you'll be fine. If you don't clean it frequently, leading can get compacted into your rifling and its a pain to get out.

[mediocrewhiteguy]

Thanks for the info guys. I was having a hard time locating lead bullets at my local stores. The club directed me to these guys Welcome to Mastercast Bullet Co.,Inc. I went there and bought 500rds of 125gr 9mm for $111.15. Does this sound like a decent price? Do you guys know of another good source for lead bullets?

[forsberg-21]

Lead does leave deposits in the barrel, as does copper jacketed, and I don't believe it causes harm to the barrel such as rust would cause corrosion. I think it primarily decreases accuracy as in, "Wow! Why are those rounds landing over there all of the sudden?" If I've shot lead I clean with a good lead cleaning solution. The same applies if I've shot a significant amount of copper jacket. I use a good copper solvent. I try to refrain from using any metal barrel brushes and if I really have to scrub I use a nylon brush with a good solvent. Copper doesn't seem to stay in the barrel as much as lead. That's just my 2 cents worth though.

[Visceral_Malice]

Firstclassbulletsandbrass.com has some of the best prices for hard cast lead bullets. Plinking bullets in general are cheap as hell from them.