Cast bullets for personal defense?

David LaPell · Dec 29, 2011

I know the hollowpoint is supposedly king for personal defense, but why not cast bullets too? I don't mean the old lead round nose jobs like the .38 Special's 158 grainer that the factory used to load, but how about some decent bullets like the #358156? The #358429? What about the #429421 in hollowpoint or cast in a .44 Special? What about the #452424 in .45 Colt? I would think all of these cast not too hard would be ideal for personal defense and would cost alot less than jacketed hollow points.

Doug M. · Dec 29, 2011

Go read Jim Cirillo's books. He advocated full WC and SWC for many such uses. I would certainly be comfortable with such.

Skip Sackett · Dec 30, 2011

I cast bullets. I have hollow point versions of a bunch of them. Guess what, if I cast it, I load it in my personal defense loads too.

In the 45ACP, here is what I use:

What do you think about that?

This is a solid clone of an RCBS 45-270SAA and throws a 280gr bullet. It is designed for the 45 Colt and though this picture is of a solid, there are hollow point pins available for this mould. I usually don't carry a 45 Colt for self defense, unless it is while I am hunting with a rifle. Here:

Those puppies loaded to 1000fps or more SURELY they would work for self defense. Even against bears!

Just sayin'

Ziptar · Dec 30, 2011

I have that same mold, I didn't order it with the pins as I prefer Solids. The 270-SAA is my favorite bullet. If I could only have one, it would be the 270-SAA. Loaded over 9 or 10 grains of Unique, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on anything 2 or 4 legged outside of African big game.

ronnie gore · Dec 30, 2011

bullets

i have been carrying my cast lead semi-wadcutters in 38-357 and 44 mag, 44 special, 45 colt, 45 auto rim, and 41 mag for years.
also after working homicides for 20 years it is my opinion that hollow points don't work most of the time, a semi-wadcuttter works the same every time.

Maximumbob54 · Dec 30, 2011

I'm thinking these in some downloaded .44 magnum or specials would ruin a BG's day...

I don't have any loaded right now, but they were great in the 29-5...

David Sinko · Dec 30, 2011

I agree completely with ronnie gore. Solids offer better and more reliable performance. From what I have seen on the street, the performance of the so-called modern hi-tech hollowpoints leaves much to be desired. I will add that this is mostly due to political considerations. Much of our modern ammo lacks velocity because the manufacturers are terrified of loading ammo that is actually capable of shooting through a human.

Dave Sinko

Shooting Padre · Dec 30, 2011

Heads up here. I would use nothing but a commercial self defense load. If you ever have to use your weapon, the prosecuting attorney will make self loaded rounds a huge issue.And there is huge chance you will wind up in some legal battle, criminal or civil. You all may think (including me) that we can produce the best rounds for our needs but remember, the shooting is only the first battle. The second round is fought in the courts. This was stressed at our CCW class. Just for your consideration. Thanks for the look.

Erich · Dec 30, 2011

I've discussed my use of my personal (cast bullet) handloads for defensive carry here many times, as well as my take as a lawyer on the legal issues that could accrue. Nutshell: I'm not concerned but I'm comfy in a courtroom; I gave my brother the same advice Mas gives and told him to carry factory loads.

All that aside, cast bullets are great for a lot of defensive purposes.

These bullets were a gift from our Mr. "Sacket"

And some from NKJ Nut's Tennessee Valley Bullets:

pete950 · Dec 30, 2011

Skip Sackett said:
I cast bullets. I have hollow point versions of a bunch of them. Guess what, if I cast it, I load it in my personal defense loads too.

In the 45ACP, here is what I use:

What do you think about that?

This is a solid clone of an RCBS 45-270SAA and throws a 280gr bullet. It is designed for the 45 Colt and though this picture is of a solid, there are hollow point pins available for this mould. I usually don't carry a 45 Colt for self defense, unless it is while I am hunting with a rifle. Here:

Those puppies loaded to 1000fps or more SURELY they would work for self defense. Even against bears!

Just sayin'

Skip
Those 45's look just like Win silver tips!!!

venomballistics · Dec 30, 2011

RN designs rank dead last for effective administration of heavy metal supplements.
you want a cast flat or hollow point.
about the only time I'd use a RN is if my SD gun was a picky eater and wont feed anything else .. but then, I'd get a different gun.

Rule3 · Dec 30, 2011

Erich said:
I've discussed my use of my personal (cast bullet) handloads for defensive carry here many times, as well as my take as a lawyer on the legal issues that could accrue. Nutshell: I'm not concerned but I'm comfy in a courtroom; I gave my brother the same advice Mas gives and told him to carry factory loads.

All that aside, cast bullets are great for a lot of defensive purposes.

These bullets were a gift from our Mr. "Sacket"

And some from NKJ Nut's Tennessee Valley Bullets:

Ewwww, they are so BIG!!!

Skip Sackett · Dec 30, 2011

pete950 said:
Skip
Those 45's look just like Win silver tips!!!

Thanks, Pete!

They shoot like a house afire! They even chamber and shoot to MOBG (minute of bad guy) @ 50 yards from my Thompson 1927-T1! Not only that, they look cooler than all get out at the range when you shoot it out of it too! Or maybe its me that looks cool shooting it! WHATEVER! haha

Skip Sackett · Dec 30, 2011

Erich said:
These bullets were a gift from our Mr. "Sacket"

I like those bullets too Erich! In fact, my daughter has a M637 with them in it right now, as we speak!

fredj338 · Dec 30, 2011

I would never load my own ammo for SD, except under a SHTF scenario or if I lived in a non HP state like NJ. If I did load my own, these would certainly do the job as well as any high tech JHP. FOr NJ, a soft lead FP w/ a large meplate would be a pretty good fight stopper, especially somethin like the 200grLFP from Lee.

venomballistics · Dec 30, 2011

Im rather torn on the issue of SD handloads versus factory.
back in the DC sniper thing, the Media did have a little with pointing out lethal combinations used to create the ammo used .... dont know if that ever made it into the court proceedings or not, but it is food for thought as it was given a good dishonest try.
then I look at what comes out of a factory box versus what comes off my press ... yeah the numbers differ a little ... mine are a little more potent, at least as reliable and all go into a smaller circle down range. which is enough to really torment me as I'd much rather carry this than factory.

gwalchmai · Dec 30, 2011

David LaPell said:
I know the hollowpoint is supposedly king for personal defense, but why not cast bullets too? I don't mean the old lead round nose jobs like the .38 Special's 158 grainer that the factory used to load...

You could ask Lee Harvey Oswald about the old 158gr LRN. Except he never regained consciousness.

jimkim · Dec 30, 2011

I'm glad I'm not the only one with frosty bullets. lol They look great to me. I have a Lyman 425374 four cavity mould I'm thinking of having hollow pointed. I think any bullet with a large meplat doesn't need it.

Rule3 · Dec 30, 2011

With projectiles in the 40 caliber range and the overall scheme of things does it really matter if it's lead, flat, hollow, fmj?? a 45 is a big hole either way. So to me a LSWC would work just fine.

mkk41 · Dec 30, 2011

Don't know how many self-defense shootings you guys get into on a regular basis , but 1 box of top shelf factory hollow points should last the average person a lifetime.

Cast bullets for personal defense?

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