Anyone here tried any of the Soft Cast Bullets from GT Bullets? They have an interesting line of bullets mostly soft cast hollow points. I really find the 180gr .38 Hollow Point interesting. I believe it is offered in soft and hard cast. Not sure you could get enough velocity from a .38 snub for much expansion but it looks bad. Like the fact that you can buy in 100 packs which would be a good way to test without breaking the bank. A whole lot less than the 100 packs from other bullet suppliers
GT Bullets. Anyone here tried them?
- Thread starter Eddietruett
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Alk8944
US Veteran
Never heard of them, but several very interesting styles! Definitely going to buy some. Thanks for posting this.
I have just recently started to use some of their bullets. So far I have been keeping them in the 1000 fps range and had good results. I have tried .430, .452, and .459s. I don't believe that pushing them hard would be the way to go. However, a review I have read on the .459 320GCHP bullet claims good results with 30gr/A2400 and that is pretty fast although it does have a GC.
Their prices are a little up there. Comparing .45-caliber 185-grain hollowpoint SWCs, GT apparently wants $56.75/500 plus shipping, while Zero (match-quality swaged) sells at $50.68/500 and no shipping charge.
On the bright side, GT offers some custom sizing, and even unsized.
On the bright side, GT offers some custom sizing, and even unsized.
SuperMan
Member
Can't really compare GT bullets to bulk commercially cast ones that come out of a Magma casting machine. All his are hand cast using mostly MeHic molds.
Compare his prices to Cast Performance, Penn, Western or Leadhead and I think you'll find they are much more reasonably priced...and where do you find hollow point cast bullets that you don't make yourself.
He also has more .41 bullets than anyone else...because .41 is his favorite caliber.
Bob
Compare his prices to Cast Performance, Penn, Western or Leadhead and I think you'll find they are much more reasonably priced...and where do you find hollow point cast bullets that you don't make yourself.
He also has more .41 bullets than anyone else...because .41 is his favorite caliber.
Bob
scattershot
Member
I have used them in .45 ACP, and just ordered another batch in .44. Good bullets, reasonably priced, with fast shipping. In fact, on my last order, I received notice that they had shipped my order the same day.
I'm not. Zero is an extremely popular manufacturer of jacketed and swaged bullets with Bullseye shooters. That's why I used them for comparison--their bullets are known for delivering accuracy at 50 yards.
The other companies you mention are, frankly, not in the same business.
As for hollowpoints:
Roze Distribution: 45 Acp (.452 Diameter) - 185 GR SWHP $ per 1000
Roze Distribution: 38 Special (.358 Diameter) - 158 GR SWCHP $ per 1000
Got them for 44spl GREAT!!!
SuperMan
Member
Zero bullets are massed produced on big machines, not cast..they are swaged. The companies I mentioned all make cast bullets by hand, just like GT does.
You also can't run a swaged lead bullet near as fast as a cast. I just just got done shooting a bunch of cast .41 165 grain HPs just like GT sells at over 1300 fps and zero leading...try that with a Zero swaged bullet... Those HP bullets you noted are SWAGED...not cast..whole different animal and much cheaper and faster to produce.
Last edited:
That's why I said "swaged" like twice.
They can cast them out of their ears. If it doesn't result in any better accuracy than another process, what was the point?
You seem a little hung-up on how fast you can shoot them. Swell. Super. Except any old hard-cast will do that, and usually do it just as accurately. So I can see the point of it in silhouette, and of course hunting (where price is largely irrelevant when it comes to ammunition), but for general shooting? Meh.
I mean, unless that little hole in the front is really that important to ya.
They can cast them out of their ears. If it doesn't result in any better accuracy than another process, what was the point?
You seem a little hung-up on how fast you can shoot them. Swell. Super. Except any old hard-cast will do that, and usually do it just as accurately. So I can see the point of it in silhouette, and of course hunting (where price is largely irrelevant when it comes to ammunition), but for general shooting? Meh.
I mean, unless that little hole in the front is really that important to ya.
Last edited:
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I have been casting bullets since about 1972, for use in many handgun calibers and in centerfire rifle cartridges from .30 caliber to .45 caliber and used in various 19th and 20th Century firearms. I have probably cast, loaded, and fired at least 50,000 bullets.
Several years back I found myself without the time required to cast all I wanted, with the sorting, sizing, lubing, gas checking, and everything else involved. I cut back on my casting, limiting my efforts to the antique rifle calibers, and started buying hard-cast pistol bullets from several sources (just about all of which provided very good service for range and practice uses).
A couple of years ago I found GT Bullets advertising on GunBroker.com, and I was impressed with their bullet designs. I have ordered several times to include HP cast bullets in 9mm, .38/357, and .45ACP. Quality has been excellent. Range performance has been consistently excellent.
Bottom line is this: $60 or $70 per thousand delivered to my door, excellent results, and every time I save 5 to 7 hours I would have spent producing my own. Reasonably priced, highest quality, what more can be said?
Absolutely love the .45ACP 200 RN-HP and the .38/357 145 RN-HP. Serious medicine, at a price that allows me to practice all I want with ammo I wouldn't hesitate to carry every day.
Several years back I found myself without the time required to cast all I wanted, with the sorting, sizing, lubing, gas checking, and everything else involved. I cut back on my casting, limiting my efforts to the antique rifle calibers, and started buying hard-cast pistol bullets from several sources (just about all of which provided very good service for range and practice uses).
A couple of years ago I found GT Bullets advertising on GunBroker.com, and I was impressed with their bullet designs. I have ordered several times to include HP cast bullets in 9mm, .38/357, and .45ACP. Quality has been excellent. Range performance has been consistently excellent.
Bottom line is this: $60 or $70 per thousand delivered to my door, excellent results, and every time I save 5 to 7 hours I would have spent producing my own. Reasonably priced, highest quality, what more can be said?
Absolutely love the .45ACP 200 RN-HP and the .38/357 145 RN-HP. Serious medicine, at a price that allows me to practice all I want with ammo I wouldn't hesitate to carry every day.
scattershot
Member
As stated above, I have used them in .45ACP, and have some .44s coming. Has anyone done any expansion tests on these?
I've tested the 225gr hps at 850-900 fps into water filled milk jugs. The bullets stopped in the third jug, expansion and retained weight were both excellent.
Attachments
old&slow
Member
I've used the GT .45, 225 gr. @ 830 fps in my 3" model 25 with the similar results as Andy52.
I've also used the 145 gr. .38 @ about 830 fps with good results.
If I remember right the .45 stopped in the 3rd gallon water jug and the .38 stopped in the 4th or 5th.
I didn't notice any leading. But the bullets are very soft and I don't think I would want to push the velocity much , if any higher.
I've also used the 145 gr. .38 @ about 830 fps with good results.
If I remember right the .45 stopped in the 3rd gallon water jug and the .38 stopped in the 4th or 5th.
I didn't notice any leading. But the bullets are very soft and I don't think I would want to push the velocity much , if any higher.
Attachments
Last edited:
These look like an excellent choice for making a bunch of reasonably priced "FBI load" rounds with good expansion at reasonably low velocities. Thanks for posting about them.
Last edited:
