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Thread: Speer "Cold Formed" lead bullets?

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    Speer "Cold Formed" lead bullets?

    Any one had any experience with these? Specifically the .38/.357 Semi-wadcutter hollow points.

    Interested in; quality / lube?

    Thanks

    Mike

  2. #2
    Moderator



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    They're simply swaged lead bullets. Most of Speer's lead bullets are lubed with a dry tumble lube, and then sprinkled with a talcum type powder so they don't stick together when boxed. They're usually pretty soft, and when loaded accordingly, they work fine, but I'd much rather make my own..........

    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
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    Thanks Fred…. just looking at all the options for those of us who have neither the time or facilities to make our own.

  4. #4
    bhn22
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    Low velocity only. Magnums will lead the bore.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    I have used them and the do OK up to about 800 fps and then they start to lead badly. Some folks related higher velocities with them, but that has not been my experience. They are basically a waste of time, money and effort for anything other than plinking loads.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  6. #6
    Boolit Bub
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    Thanks Charles..

  7. #7
    Boolit Master



    ddixie884's Avatar
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    I load my FBI loads with this bullet. It has a crimp groove and a good sized hollow point......
    JMHO-YMMV
    dd884
    gary@2texastrucks.com
    Gary D. Peek

  8. #8
    Banned

    44man's Avatar
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    I never found a made boolit as good as you can cast except Cast Precision, Beartooth or Double Tap, maybe a few more.
    I bought many bulk boolits that were trash. Do not want Swaged stuff at all.
    If you have time to load ammo, you can find time to cast.

  9. #9
    bhn22
    Guest
    Rimrock Bullets offers a really well done 158 gr LHPGC you might look into. They have a great reputation, and I believe these are the bullets Buffalo Bore loads in their "FBI load" offering. Personally, I make my own (of course).
    http://rimrockbullets.net/premium-bu...p-per-100.html

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    If you don't exceed Speer's recommended loads for them in their handbook they are OK.
    It helps to give them an additional light lube coating of diluted Lee Liquid Alox or 45-45-10 if attempting +P in .38 Special
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  11. #11
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    The Speer Hollow Based WC was one of my favorite factory produced HBWC but I loaded those over light target charges. At slower target velocities they were fine. A soft, swaged SWC-HP would be a totally different situation. With that configuration, I would want the control over the diameter of the bullet and type of lube; in other words I would want to cast my own.
    Last edited by Petrol & Powder; 03-10-2015 at 05:01 AM.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check