I have always wondered about using cast bullets in autos for this exact reason. Think about it- the "gold standard" load for the .38 special is the FBI load, a soft lead hollowpoint. Why not use the same for automatics? Yes, most autos will feed cast bullets just fine.
My way of thinking is, especially in sub-caliber guns, like the .380 and .32 ACP, soft cast bullets will expand at low velocities. Second, if you have two bullets of identical weight, with the same charge, the lead will always be faster than jacketed (less friction). So, the lead HP solves the expansion issue and the added velocity could solve the penetration issue.
Has anyone loaded some and tested them? Here are some examples I found:
32 caliber 100 grain hollow point round nose lead bullets [32-100-hp-313] - $10.19 : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets
88gr Hollow Point Cast Lead Bullets .356 [380-88-hp-356] - $9.71 : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets
Opinions?