I have a Classic Model 29, 4", loading 240 gr. Hornady swadged lead bullet. Manuals say this is about 750 fps, and I'm getting a good biat of barrel leading. Can anyone tell me about Missouri Bullets that are cast and their experience with leading. I know they are harder. I'm lazy and just don't want to scrub like ****. Or, if anyone knows of a good cleaning system other than the Lewis? Thanks.

Cheycast.com has hard cast bullets that have given me no leading at 900 fps.A piece of copper wool wrapped around an old cleaning brush will take that lead right out.

I've had good luck with the following

Alpha Bullets

Missouri Bullet Company

Velocity Bullet Company - Premium Quality Lead Cast Bullets For Reloading Pistol and Rifle Ammunition

Chore Boy is the brand of Scrubber I use. Just a couple pieces around your bore brush will do

With lead bullets, leading is rarely an alloy hardness issue but bullet fit. Where is the leading, early, all the way or just the end? A hard bullet that is too small will still lead early, the first 1" or so of the bbl. Slug or pin gage your cyl throats, then slug the bbl. Many S&W have large cyl throats, way over groove dia & they will lead badly as the now over size bullet is smeared into the forcing cone. I shoot a very soft 25-1 LHP in my 4" M29, runs along about 1000fps, expands beautifully & doesn't lead. The cyl throat are 0.430" & I size to 0.431".

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

In .44 Special I've had good luck with Mastercast Bullets and Missouri Bullets. I also wouldn't hesitate to order cast bullets from Tennessee Valley, Leadheads, or Dardas.

I usually load a 200gr LRNFP bullet in .44 Special, because some of my .44 Special revolvers are on the light side (like 18oz empty), and the 200gr bullets are less likely to jump my firm roll crimps upon firing.

I buy my bullets from PENN BULLETS.

Welcome To Penn Bullets INC. - Prices are a little out of date.

Great quality, Great price, Great service.

Thanks so much for the replies people. Just what I'm looking for. Leading is mostly and the forcing cone area, then sporadically about 3/4 the length of the barrel. I'll measure tne throats, but the harder bullets i would think should help. Don't really want to use jacketed or plated bullets due to expense, but will if need be. The wool is a great idea, too, why didn't i think of that! Hats off to you folks, even an old dog can learn some new tricks. Great forum.

Where a harder bullet leads is when the bullet is too small, should be at least 0.001" larger than groove dia. The smaller bullet hits the forcing cone & gas escapes from around the base & up the sides flame cutting & melting the lead. Then, if the bullet is too hard & the pressure not enough to obturate the base, it continues to lead as it sort of wobbles down the bbl. That is only being 0.001" smaller. That's why small cyl throats are bad as they size the bullet before it even gets to the forcing cone. You can shoot a very soft lead bullet at speed well in excess fo 1100fps if it fits properly.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I notice you too are in WV. I'm in Fairmont. I'm not "commercial" but I do cast original 429421 Keith Bullets if you're interested. Hit me up with a PM.