Cast Bullets For Semi-Autos

Guns Magazine, March, 2001 by John Taffin

Savvy handloaders can turn their defensive pistols into enjoyable plinkers or even serious hunting handguns with these unconventional loading techniques.

While common sense demands factory jacketed loads in semi-automatics for self-defensive use, there is nothing that says we have to use the same ammunition for practice. In fact, we will probably be more inclined to practice with our defensive pistols if we can keep the cost down. This is where cast bullets enter into the equation. With a little experimentation, we can tailor our loads to come very close to giving the same recoil as the chosen factory loads, as well as hitting the same point of aim.

For most of us, the vast majority of our shooting falls into that all-covering category of "plinking." Cast bullets from semi-automatics can hit sticks or pop cans and the like with the best of them. With the proper bullet selection as to shape and weight, you can also take a lot of small game - perhaps even big game - with a semi-auto using cast bullets.

The Handloading Commandments

Whether you are reloading for bolt guns, leverguns, sixguns or semi-automatics, there are certain rules - call them commandments if you wish - that must be followed. Deviate, and problems arise. It is impossible, however, to come up with a single set of guidelines that will cover all categories, as each is unique and requires its own set of rules.

Bullets

A sixgun will digest almost any bullet if it will fit the cylinder, but semi-automatics are a little more selective. At first, nearly everyone surmised that round-nosed was the only proper bullet shape for reliability in semi-automatics. This was probably due to the fact that military hard ball was round-nosed, and many semi-autos were set up to reliably feed only this shape. As we began to experiment with semi-wadcutters in semi-autos, we found that they would either work or could be made to work with a little polishing of the feed ramp.

Bullet hardness is also a critical factor for two reasons. Many semi-automatic barrels are cut to primarily be used with jacketed bullets, while sixguns are designed for cast bullets. That is, the semi-auto barrels may have shallower lands and grooves for biting into relatively hard-jacketed bullets, while the sixgun has deeper grooves for the use of the relatively softer cast bullets.

Having a good supply of linotype metal, most of our cast bullets destined to be used in semi-automatics are cast from this hard alloy. When we mix our own, we most always use a 1:10 ratio of tin to lead. Type metal is about 22 on the Brinnell scale of hardness, while the mixture comes in at around 12.

Wheel weights vary a lot, but our supply is around 10 on the scale and also works well in many semi-automatics. We have also had good results with the relatively hard, machine-cast bullets offered by both Bull-X and Oregon Trail. By buying these bullets in bulk, the cost of shooting can be kept very low. Most semi-automatics, like most sixguns, have a personality all their own, and experimenting wilt help find what works the best or is at least acceptable.

Sizing Cases

All cases for semi-automatics must be fully re-sized, not only for ease of functioning, but also for bullet tension. The latter is even more important than the former. Bullets for any sixgun load are always crimped heavily to prevent their jumping the crimp and tying up the cylinder.

Semi-automatic cases cannot be crimped, as the case mouth headspaces on a ledge in the chamber. If this is crimped, the case can slide right by. Some factory loads use a "kiss of a crimp," while others are taper-crimped. Most reloading dies are designed to taper-crimp cast bullets for semi-automatics.

The taper crimp in a semi-automatic keeps the bullet from pushing back in the case as it makes its perilous journey from the magazine, up the feed ramp and into the barrel. If the bullet is shoved back into the case but the round still chambers, pressures can accelerate very quickly.

If bullets are not tight enough in any semi-automatic case, the solution is a tighter sizing die, larger diameter bullets or a combination of both.

Seating Bullets

Overall length of the loaded round is usually more critical in pistols than in sixguns. Magazines limit the length, and this usually means that when SWC bullets are used, all bands and the shoulder must be seated inside the case.

We prefer to assemble dummy rounds first and leave as much of the front shoulder outside the case mouth as possible. It just seems to aid in feeding and also looks better. Using the dummy round, we set the bullet with about 1/16" of shoulder above the case mouth and see if it will feed. If not, we adjust accordingly. Even if it works, feed an test fire a few live rounds from the magazine before loading several hundred cartridges.

Data & Details

When we test several semi-autos with several loads, we take a hand press such as the Lyman or Lee along when shooting so that we can re-seat bullets a little deeper if necessary. With all of the basics in mind, let us look at some favored loads and bullets for semi-automatics.