Cast Bullets in Subguns

Barry in IN · 07-02-2008

Does anyone shoot cast bullets in their subguns?

I've shot a couple thousand through my Reising (all of it 230 RN), and they've done fine...if a little smoky!

But since I never cared for cast in the 9mm, I haven't tried any through my S&W 76. Besides, 9mm FMJ bullets were cheap enough that I saw no need to bother.

But now, cheaper bullets are looking better, especially for subgun appetites.
So I was wondering if anyone was using them, or switched recently.

I loaded up about 400 cast 122 TCFPs today, and will give them a try on Independence Day.

VUPDblue · 07-02-2008

I only shoot FMJ's through mine. That's not to say that I see any inherent problem with cast, but I am trying to keep the lead out of my suppressors. If I weren't going to shoot suppressed I would have no problem using cast, provided that they fed correctly.

rkba_net · 07-02-2008

I would not recommend cast bullets esp in an open-bolt SMG...

Barry in IN · 07-03-2008

Why? Particularly the open bolt part.

rkba_net · 07-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry in IN

Why? Particularly the open bolt part.

Because open-bolt guns as a rule use a fixed firing pin. Anything that can increase the resistance of the rd chambering such as using lead bullets or bullets other than FMJ can increase the chance of the weapon firing out of battery...

Barry in IN · 07-04-2008

Hmmmm, good point.
I'm using a pretty slick feeding bullet design, and they are cast really hard, but I will load up a few with no primer and powder and see how they feed.

I always used hard cast round noses in the cast .45 loads I've used in the Reisiing, which feed like ball in it.

4sarge · 07-04-2008

My open bolt 9mm did not like them but it didn't like much of anything and was a jam o matic so I sold it

Barry in IN · 07-05-2008

Well it mostly worked.
It worked with the magazine loaded with 32 rounds instead of 36.
That's not ideal, but I'll give up four rounds per mag for the savings.

marv · 07-09-2008

After a few rounds the chamber will accumilate enough lead that the open bolt gun will fire out of battery. If the gun does not have a substantial shield around the bolt/breech area, you WILL get a face full of shrapnel. Trust me, I know.

Barry in IN · 07-10-2008

I think I'm done with that experiment anyway.
Thanks.

07-02-2008	#1 (permalink)
Barry in IN Plinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 243	Cast Bullets in Subguns Does anyone shoot cast bullets in their subguns? I've shot a couple thousand through my Reising (all of it 230 RN), and they've done fine...if a little smoky! But since I never cared for cast in the 9mm, I haven't tried any through my S&W 76. Besides, 9mm FMJ bullets were cheap enough that I saw no need to bother. But now, cheaper bullets are looking better, especially for subgun appetites. So I was wondering if anyone was using them, or switched recently. I loaded up about 400 cast 122 TCFPs today, and will give them a try on Independence Day.

07-02-2008	#2 (permalink)
VUPDblue NFA User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wayne Township Posts: 547	I only shoot FMJ's through mine. That's not to say that I see any inherent problem with cast, but I am trying to keep the lead out of my suppressors. If I weren't going to shoot suppressed I would have no problem using cast, provided that they fed correctly. __________________ Silencers have *never* been illegal!

07-04-2008	#7 (permalink)
4sarge stamus contra malum Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Indiana Posts: 808	My open bolt 9mm did not like them but it didn't like much of anything and was a jam o matic so I sold it __________________ JOIN NRA!!!, JOIN GOA!!!, but DO SOMETHING!!! Admit NOTHING Deny EVERYTHING Demand PROOF "We must all hang together or we shall surely hang separately." Ben Franklin Just Another Bitter American Clinging to my Glock 19

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07-02-2008	#3 (permalink)
rkba_net Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 28	I would not recommend cast bullets esp in an open-bolt SMG...

07-03-2008	#4 (permalink)
Barry in IN Plinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 243	Why? Particularly the open bolt part.

07-04-2008	#6 (permalink)
Barry in IN Plinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 243	Hmmmm, good point. I'm using a pretty slick feeding bullet design, and they are cast really hard, but I will load up a few with no primer and powder and see how they feed. I always used hard cast round noses in the cast .45 loads I've used in the Reisiing, which feed like ball in it.

07-05-2008	#8 (permalink)
Barry in IN Plinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 243	Well it mostly worked. It worked with the magazine loaded with 32 rounds instead of 36. That's not ideal, but I'll give up four rounds per mag for the savings.

07-09-2008	#9 (permalink)
marv Plinker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gatchel, IN Posts: 10	After a few rounds the chamber will accumilate enough lead that the open bolt gun will fire out of battery. If the gun does not have a substantial shield around the bolt/breech area, you WILL get a face full of shrapnel. Trust me, I know.

07-10-2008	#10 (permalink)
Barry in IN Plinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 243	I think I'm done with that experiment anyway. Thanks.