ccjcc81
12-30-2015, 12:06 AM
Hello guys,
I’m new to casting, and I’ve got a few questions, mainly regarding shooting cast powder coated bullets through 9mm Glock factory barrels. I’ve been reading and researching for weeks now, and I’ve found a wealth of valuable information, but there are some specific things that I can’t find answers to.
1: What BNH do I need to cast to shoot a properly coated cast bullet through a factory 9mm Glock polygonal barrel? Can I get away with Antimonial Lead, pure lead with 5% antimony at BNH 13? I really hope so, because I have a virtually endless supply of 5% Antimony lead on tap, and if I can avoid changing that alloy, I want to. If 5% is too soft, would quenching get me where I need to be?
2: Hollowpoint casts. I see a 124 gr hollowpoint mold that Lyman puts out, and I wonder if I can make it work with a Glock with the alloy I mentioned above. From what I’ve read, 5% Antimony is a soft alloy, but will the powder coat provide enough structural rigidity to help soft cast hollowpoints run through a semi-auto pistol or CZ Scorpion without beating the hollowpoint up too badly?
3: Bullet sizing. I have read that .357 is an optimal size for 9mm. I have a Lee .356 sizing die. Do you think this will be big enough for a polygonal 9mm Glock barrel? Should I cast then powder coat, then use the .356 die, or should I cast, then resize to .356, then powder coat? Or do I need to go ahead and buy a .357 sizer and use it after powder coating?
I have a little bit of experience casting. My uncles used to make me cast bullets with them, I think I’ve thrown maybe 2000 rounds. Not a lot by any means, but I did learn a little. I’ve been pouring through this forum looking for info, and have learned a lot about what I can expect, and about safety and moisture when casting. I must say, I’m quite excited to begin the process. The only reloading I’ve done has been under the instruction and supervision of my uncles, and to meet their specs, and they cast hard for everything. I’m only just venturing out to load my own.
Also, I know that many of you will recommend replacing my factory barrel with an aftermarket one. I’m more interested in keeping the original barrel, and using the $250 I’d spend to buy a KKM or Bar-Sto barrel for more reloading supplies. I really want to keep the factory barrel in my Glock. I understand that powder coating should make this a non-issue.
Any other advice you guys want to share is welcome. I know you guys probably get sick of answering the same old questions, but we appreciate it.
Thanks guys.
I’m new to casting, and I’ve got a few questions, mainly regarding shooting cast powder coated bullets through 9mm Glock factory barrels. I’ve been reading and researching for weeks now, and I’ve found a wealth of valuable information, but there are some specific things that I can’t find answers to.
1: What BNH do I need to cast to shoot a properly coated cast bullet through a factory 9mm Glock polygonal barrel? Can I get away with Antimonial Lead, pure lead with 5% antimony at BNH 13? I really hope so, because I have a virtually endless supply of 5% Antimony lead on tap, and if I can avoid changing that alloy, I want to. If 5% is too soft, would quenching get me where I need to be?
2: Hollowpoint casts. I see a 124 gr hollowpoint mold that Lyman puts out, and I wonder if I can make it work with a Glock with the alloy I mentioned above. From what I’ve read, 5% Antimony is a soft alloy, but will the powder coat provide enough structural rigidity to help soft cast hollowpoints run through a semi-auto pistol or CZ Scorpion without beating the hollowpoint up too badly?
3: Bullet sizing. I have read that .357 is an optimal size for 9mm. I have a Lee .356 sizing die. Do you think this will be big enough for a polygonal 9mm Glock barrel? Should I cast then powder coat, then use the .356 die, or should I cast, then resize to .356, then powder coat? Or do I need to go ahead and buy a .357 sizer and use it after powder coating?
I have a little bit of experience casting. My uncles used to make me cast bullets with them, I think I’ve thrown maybe 2000 rounds. Not a lot by any means, but I did learn a little. I’ve been pouring through this forum looking for info, and have learned a lot about what I can expect, and about safety and moisture when casting. I must say, I’m quite excited to begin the process. The only reloading I’ve done has been under the instruction and supervision of my uncles, and to meet their specs, and they cast hard for everything. I’m only just venturing out to load my own.
Also, I know that many of you will recommend replacing my factory barrel with an aftermarket one. I’m more interested in keeping the original barrel, and using the $250 I’d spend to buy a KKM or Bar-Sto barrel for more reloading supplies. I really want to keep the factory barrel in my Glock. I understand that powder coating should make this a non-issue.
Any other advice you guys want to share is welcome. I know you guys probably get sick of answering the same old questions, but we appreciate it.
Thanks guys.