InisBineest wrote:I prefer the satisfaction of making them for the price of the gas i use, but honestly, it took me about 3-5 hours to do 500 for my .38/357 so it is time intensive. I also powder coat, which allows nearly jacketed velocities without copper fouling (you can get plastic fouling but it seems to scrub out easier than copper). As for accuracy I honestly can't comment, I've never made serious comparisons and i don't benchrest with them. I'm sure there is information on that if you look. I'm happy to plink around with my loads and just enjoy them, that's the trick isn't it:D
There is something deeply satisfying with crafting a round that punches way above its price point - I get it, I've been there myself. But IMO cast bullets are more suited to pistol-cartridge velocitiies, where the explicit speed matches (
generally) what a lead bullet can tolerate. That way you can still achieve good case fill using the powders designed for that cartridge/gun. Keeping it nice and simple. I suppose that's why most lead bullets you see on the shelf are for pistol. Trail Boss certainly goes against the grain here - that's what makes it so unique, but Trail Boss velocities are slow, which can (obviously) be detrimental with a fluctuating crosswind.
There
is a stong argument for when the price difference between jacketed vs cast is substantial, for example a 30/30 bullet. But in Big Trevs's 7.62x39 example, the Berry's plated bullet is only 13c / round (excl. postage) - you'd be doing well to cast your own for a whole lot less than that. Not to mention the time and effort required to cast.
Accuracy does come into play her; for standing offhand shooting the bullet will usually outperform the shooter, making a lead bullet a good candidate for such disciplines as lever action metallic silhoutte, or perhaps even service rifle on the 100m mound. Or generally if you're simply into that kind of plinking. But Big Trev specifically talked about a "varmint" round; to me that seems more geared toward an accuracy shot from a supported position.
Dunno, perhaps I'm reading into it too much
In any case, the Berry's bullet has shot suprisingly accuratly for me, and they are extremely well priced.