Cast lead through my BD

[Chris B]

Hello, just joined the board.

I've had my BD for about 8 years, and the last two have seen thousands of my cast lead reloads down the barrel.  I've gleaned a few pieces of knowledge doing this, and will be more than happy to answer any questions as it is a bit tricky with the 75. 

[Wobbly]

Hey, Chris! Welcome aboard.

Questions about lead come up all the time. Your knowledge will be very helpful.

Thanks for your kind offer.

 

[Chris B]

Thanks, and sorry about the post misplacement.  Gotta pay attention to how the board works!

[armoredman]

Welcome, and no worries. Ive been shooting cast lead through my CZ pistols for a little while, myself, fun and dirt cheap.

[Chris B]

Armoredman, had no idea you were an admin on here...very cool.

Got a question about the 97.  I can't get my Lee 452-230-1R to chamber at all, even down at 1.19oal.  A seasoned caster/reloader at the range suggested I press it down even further, to about 1.17 or so and try using my FCD that hasn't been needed to this point.

I was using these in my Glock but we all know how tight the leade is on the CZ so I'm starting back to square one with the new addition. 

Suggestions?

[armoredman]

Have you tried the primitive drop test, dropping a dummy with a seated bullet into the dismounted barrel see where the leade is? It's not 100%, but it's a good start. If you need to go shorter than factory recommended, make sure you back off your starting load a bit, and check with the chronograph what your actual velocity is, if you can. if not, watch for signs of overpressure, and you should be good.

[waratah]

Very late to the party.

I've just ordered my first CZ (a new edition, for practical pistol, and a bit of fun metallic sillouette). Very excited.

I plan to reload , have a fair bit of experience with 257/38, 308 and 45-70 but this is my frst semi auto. I'm looking to cast projectiles and looking for recommendation for a bullet 120gr to 135gr that suits CZ well.


Considering Lee molds

120  -TC
124 - 2R
124 - TC
125 - 2R


and from the 358 line

125 - RF

I have slight preference for the 358 as it would suit my 357 better and i'm fine sizing it down a bit if needed to suit the 9mm.

But open to any experiences.

(I'm very excited about my CZ to by the way!!!)

[Wobbly]

I'm looking to cast projectiles and looking for recommendation for a bullet 120gr to 135gr that suits CZ well.

Before you cast your own, you'll want to try some factory made to "get your feet wet". Keep it simple and make sure they 1) seal well, and are 2) RN to short cut a lot of loading issues.

I can recommend Missouri Bullet Co IPD#8 coated. These are 135gr RN in 0.357" dia with HiTek coating. Click Here

Lots of load info here....  https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=96152.msg739645#msg739645

Hope this helps.

[waratah]

Thanks Wobby, you're probably right, factory is pretty cheep and gives me brass as a bi product.

I do love casting though...

[Wobbly]

Thanks Wobby, you're probably right, factory is pretty cheep and gives me brass as a bi product.

I do love casting though...

Two thoughts....

? Casting is a hobby unto itself. It's going to take just as much time and investment as reloading. With an auto pistol you can go through piles of ammunition, so if you shoot any where near the volumes I do, then you're going to be casting pretty much full time.... unless you have a factory cast bullet you can order up and keep around for 'rush' periods, or times when the weather simply won't allow you to get out and cast.

? MBC sells cast bullets. You won't be getting any brass with the IDP#8 bullet I recommended. If you want bulk reloaded ammo, then that is certainly available. Find a vendor on our list that's near to you. See Reply #1 on THIS list.

Hope this helps.

[redbaron]

Very late to the party.

I've just ordered my first CZ (a new edition, for practical pistol, and a bit of fun metallic sillouette). Very excited.

I plan to reload , have a fair bit of experience with 257/38, 308 and 45-70 but this is my frst semi auto. I'm looking to cast projectiles and looking for recommendation for a bullet 120gr to 135gr that suits CZ well.


Considering Lee molds

120  -TC
124 - 2R
124 - TC
125 - 2R


and from the 358 line

125 - RF

I have slight preference for the 358 as it would suit my 357 better and i'm fine sizing it down a bit if needed to suit the 9mm.

But open to any experiences.

(I'm very excited about my CZ to by the way!!!)

I've tried a few of those Lee molds with my SP01, and all worked fine. I'd say that going up to something that casts around .358 would be the best place to start, as it allows you to size down to what your particular pistol likes. Personally, all my cast 9mm loads are sized to .358, and I'm loading for around 6 different semi auto handguns and one PCC.

Since you sound like you already have some experience with casting, you likely know most of the places where things can go wrong. For the 9mm, it's particularly tricky getting cast to work, but it's possible. Biggest things to watch out for are accidentally swaging your bullets down, either by not expanding the brass enough before seating, or by using a crimp die that may be accidentally swaging things down, too. Do a bunch of dummies and check for reliable feeding with the COL you settle on, and pull them so you know you're not sizing those bullets down during the loading process.

If you ever want to move on to a mold with a little more quality in construction, MP Molds, out of Slovenia, sells a 125gr 9mm hollow point brass mold that is the nicest mold I've ever cast with and makes some of the best 9mm bullets I've ever used.

[JRR]

I'm one of those neuros that cast for all my handgun shooting.
I have developed a system for 9mm that works great for my CZs.  It is TIME CONSUMING!  Turret press.

NOE Moulds has a very good selection to choose from.  The 358-128-SWC is very accurate.  The 358-136-FN with gas check or without is exceptional.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=34

Size and de-prime and clean normally.  Prime.
Initial inside sizing using a 38sp die.  .002" oversized compared to 9mm.
This eliminates funnel sticking in the case for smoother powder drop
Next, I use the Dillon powder measure with normal 9mm powder funnel to flair and drop the charge.  Use enough flair to just fit into the seating die.

Cast bullets for my two 9mm CZ barrels are sized to .358", no smaller.  Minimal leading.  Use a high quality lube like Carnauba Red.  Lyman #2 is the best lead alloy if you can afford it.  5 parts clip on wheel weights to one part 40/60 bar solder is also good.  I water drop.  Bullets are culled for quality several times yielding approx. 2-5% rejects.  Back to the melt pot.

Use a crimp die that is smooth and gradual to straighten out the bell.
I have tried many different powders.  My main choice is Win 231 at around 3.8 grains for both. 
My OAL for the 128swc is 1.097".  for the 136fp it is 1.1".  These work in my barrels.  Your barrel may be different.

Next, drop check loaded rounds in your barrel.  It's good to have a clean rag dampened with mineral spirits or kerosene to wipe off any errant lube from around the crimp area or elsewhere.

These rounds fit in the chamber a bit snugger that factory jacketed rounds.  It is my speculation that this increases precision a bit, especially for bullseye type shooting.

[waratah]

I'm one of those neuros that cast for all my handgun shooting.
I have developed a system for 9mm that works great for my CZs.  It is TIME CONSUMING!  Turret press.

NOE Moulds has a very good selection to choose from.  The 358-128-SWC is very accurate.  The 358-136-FN with gas check or without is exceptional.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=34

Size and de-prime and clean normally.  Prime.
Initial inside sizing using a 38sp die.  .002" oversized compared to 9mm.
This eliminates funnel sticking in the case for smoother powder drop
Next, I use the Dillon powder measure with normal 9mm powder funnel to flair and drop the charge.  Use enough flair to just fit into the seating die.

Cast bullets for my two 9mm CZ barrels are sized to .358", no smaller.  Minimal leading.  Use a high quality lube like Carnauba Red.  Lyman #2 is the best lead alloy if you can afford it.  5 parts clip on wheel weights to one part 40/60 bar solder is also good.  I water drop.  Bullets are culled for quality several times yielding approx. 2-5% rejects.  Back to the melt pot.

Use a crimp die that is smooth and gradual to straighten out the bell.
I have tried many different powders.  My main choice is Win 231 at around 3.8 grains for both. 
My OAL for the 128swc is 1.097".  for the 136fp it is 1.1".  These work in my barrels.  Your barrel may be different.

Next, drop check loaded rounds in your barrel.  It's good to have a clean rag dampened with mineral spirits or kerosene to wipe off any errant lube from around the crimp area or elsewhere.

These rounds fit in the chamber a bit snugger that factory jacketed rounds.  It is my speculation that this increases precision a bit, especially for bullseye type shooting.

Thank you for your thought. I never would have though of using 38 special for inside sizing. Just so happen I have one of those.

Was going to use Bullseye powder, or AP70N (Australian), but I'll look into the W 231 or AP50N (roughly the same).

Best wishes from Oz.

[waratah]

I've tried a few of those Lee molds with my SP01, and all worked fine. I'd say that going up to something that casts around .358 would be the best place to start, as it allows you to size down to what your particular pistol likes. Personally, all my cast 9mm loads are sized to .358, and I'm loading for around 6 different semi auto handguns and one PCC.

Since you sound like you already have some experience with casting, you likely know most of the places where things can go wrong. For the 9mm, it's particularly tricky getting cast to work, but it's possible. Biggest things to watch out for are accidentally swaging your bullets down, either by not expanding the brass enough before seating, or by using a crimp die that may be accidentally swaging things down, too. Do a bunch of dummies and check for reliable feeding with the COL you settle on, and pull them so you know you're not sizing those bullets down during the loading process.

If you ever want to move on to a mold with a little more quality in construction, MP Molds, out of Slovenia, sells a 125gr 9mm hollow point brass mold that is the nicest mold I've ever cast with and makes some of the best 9mm bullets I've ever used.

Thanks for your thoughts, I'll watch for swaging down. Hasn't been an issue with 357 but this is new territory .

Cheers.