Georgia Arms 125 gr Lead .38?

[Gearhead Jim]

I've given up reloading 9mm, the savings over cheap factory ammo isn't worth the time.

But .38 Special is different, especially because I need a light practice load for my 340PD. The Georgia Arms 125 gr lead bullet at a nominal 750 fps sounds like a good idea- soft shooting and cheap. But...

A few years ago i bought 500 rds of Georgia Arms lead bullet reloads and tried them in my Browning Hi Power, a gun with a very polished bore. The leading from the reloads was unbelievable, 50 rds would require a serious session with the lead remover or an hour of scrubbing with a brass brush. Totally unacceptable.

Has anyone tried the GA 125 gr lead .38, or similar loads; to see if the leading is acceptable?

Thanks!

 

[pff]

Hello,

I just picked up another thousand-plus of their .38 Special loads. They lead a little once you get past 40 or 50 rds. Not excessive IMO. I mostly get their 158gr SWC, which is currently running $210 per 1000, minus a $35 credit for brass turn-in. Plus tax of course.

I occasionally get the plated variant for use in the 342 with its Ti cylinder.

I have used the 125gr cowboy load in the past and don't recall any particular problems with it. Since it somewhat mimics the JHP profile its handy for speedloader training.

9MM lead loads need a slightly slower twist that the stock HP has, according to Mr. Camp.

Hope this helps a little.


Regards,

Pat

 

[APS]

Though I can't comment on the GA stuff, I will say that I was reluctant to use lead bullets until I read on here about Chore Boy. It's a copper scrubbing pad for dishwashing and you just cut a strip off and wrap it around a bore brush. A couple of passes through the bore and all my lead is out. I am still on the same box that I bought over a year ago with more than half left. I think it cost me $6 from Food Lion.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Well, I just did some more homework and the numbers are not encouraging.

GA wants $220 per thou, plus $22 shipping. That comes to $242 per thou.

I can buy WWB 130 FMJ at Walmart for about $300 per thou including tax. Or reload 125 jhp myself for about $200/thou. One of those will be my answer, I think the GA lead bullet stuff is too expensive for what you get.