I need some help with these lead bullets. I reload, but seldom do I reload non jacketed bullets, I have loaded a few cast bullets but those had lube in them.

Do the bullets shown here (158gr) need any prep before loading them? I see other lead bullets that don't have "traditional" lube rings (w/lube) either.

Any precautions when loading and working up loads for bullets like these?




Thanks in advance,

It "looks" like they are coated. I went to the Lapua website but found no information on the coating. you might try LASC or cast boolits for more knowledgeable loaders than me.

Probably very soft swaged lead, not cast from a harder alloy. Looks like it has a thin coating of wax like the Speer and Hornady bullets, but sometimes that all goes away with time. If there is no wax you could buy some Lee Liquid Alox and tumble lube them.

Don't try for maximum velocities.

those look like swaged bullets to me, not cast. If so probably have a thin layer of wax on them for lube, kind of like you would find on some .22lr ammo.
I bought a bunch of 240grain .44 hornady's a few years ago that were similar. It is soft lead, so i would be aware of higher velocities and leading.

I think you guys are right, very soft swaged lead and wax coated like .22 rimfire.

Restrict these to very low pressure loads if you use them. Personally I wouldn't waste the powder and primers on them.

Yeah, loaded to .38 Special target velocities (6-800 fps with, like, 2-2½grains Bullseye) they should work ok IMO. They won't lead the barrel if they fit the throats of the cylinder chambers nicely. Load them up to .357 Magnum levels, without at least re-lubing with a quality lube, and all bets are off in terms of leading. Your mileage may vary though- I'm speaking from personal experience with factory swaged dry-lubed bullets.

Shot some of that kind in my 45acp and had to spend a lot of my life getting the lead out.

I cast my own now and still have some of those speer bullets somewhere.
Also was given some for the 380 and when they are found they will the pot treatment as well.

a few years ago i got for not much money about 1500 of those hornady 44caliber 240 grain swc swaged bullets.
shot a few through a 44magnum, not any more, really leaded it up.
I just loaded a couple hundred in 44special with light loads for busting tin cans. About 700fps, they seem to work all right.
They are kind of a pain in the butt, i think.
I was reading the comments section on these bullets on midwayusa and people were talking about the leading issues. They evidently were designed for low velocity shooting like cowboy shooting events etc.