Cast Bullets in Subguns

[Barry in IN]

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]

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]

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

 

[Barry in IN]

Why? Particularly the open bolt part.

 

[rkba_net]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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