Which bullets to satrt with

[MikeACP]

Now that I have filled my head with smelting info. I'm almost ready to start. Now I want to look ahead to what bullets to cast when I start casting. (caliber not style)I know I will start with .45 ACP, My fav. and .38sp. How about 40. S&W and 9mm? 9mm being a higher veloicty might be different.

[casterofboolits]

45 AP and 38 Spe are two of the best aliber to cast for. 9mm and 40 S&W are not as forgiving and you must adjust to your alloy to your guns. I use a very close match to Lyman #2 alloy for the 9mm and 40.

[RobS]

The firearms you intend to load for, i.e. 1911, XD, Glock, S&W snub nose etc. as well as your intended use (plinking, paper punching, bullseye, competition) would help in our boolit type/style recommendations.

[lylejb]

+1 caster

Start with the 38 and / or the 45. Get the hang of it first. Lots of little things to figure out, and you will, with some practice.

Save the 9mm and 40 for later, after you get a good handle on the basics.

I think I've seen more "problem" threads about 9mm than any other caliber, which doesn't mean you can't cast for it, just that it takes more effort / work to get it right.

[MikeACP]

They will be for plinking/paper punching for the most part. Some IDPA type shoots.

[RobS]

Well if you have a 1911 or other 45 auto that will feed a SWC reliably then a 200 grain boolit would be good option. Lee has a decent 200 grain SWC but has a bevel base which some like but I don't. Lyman has a classic SWC standby with their 452460 however the current quality control at Lyman is terrible and it's up in the air if you'll receive a mold that will cast out at intended diameter (SMALL). As for the 38 special then a good light load could be the Lee 105 grain SWC actually closer to 110 grains from WW alloy with most Lee molds. If you want to double up on a 38 special mold and a 9mm this isn't too bad of an option however the weight may be too light and may shoot low in the 9mm as well as have possible feeding problems in the semi-auto. The Lee 358-125-RF is a great double purpose mold for 38 special/9mm and has been proven accurate in both for many people. There is of course custom mold makers that can make just about anything you want as well, but will be more expensive.

[mdi]

Start with the tried-and-true design. 230 gr. LRN for your .45 ACP (this one should feed in all 45 ACP guns!), and a 158 gr. LSWC for the 38. I have read, on this forum, of many problems with beginners casting for 9mm, so I'd save that one for later, once you get the hang of dropping good boolits.

[MikeACP]

So is the issue with 9mm and 40 just getting the propper hardness to prevent leading?

[mpmarty]

So is the issue with 9mm and 40 just getting the propper hardness to prevent leading?
Proper hardness may or may not have anything to do with leading. Typical problems with 9 and 10 mm (40) cast is a total lack of accuracy, keyholing and severe leading. There are many threads here to read that expound on this problem. That said, I personally shoot a 10mm 170gr LEE boolit with no problems at all. Just dumb luck I think.

[Jailer]

I've had good luck so far with Lee 452-230-TC. Should feed in just about any semi auto. The TL452-230-2R I tried functioned great but had so so accuracy.