Reloading for the G36...

Kapuna · 07-15-2011, 11:42

Hello all.... FNG here...

My son has a nice progressive, so I'm considering reloading for my G36...
Question is:
Should I buy plated bullets at the extra expense, or get a Lone Wolf barrel and buy lead bullets at a lower cost???...
I already have brass and a good LGS for primers and powder...

Just would appreciate a little experience/knowledge from some reloading old-timers...

Many thanks...

Boxerglocker · 07-15-2011, 12:11

With the current prices of plated bullets I would skip all together and load FMJ from Precision Delta.
Lead is an option with a aftermarket barrel. However in my experience with a G27, short barreled Glocks are a PITA to get a good lead load that moves fast enough to reliably cycle the dual recoil spring / slide and get minimal leading.
With PD fmj you'll be able to load as hot as you want or light as you need to run the gun without issues. YMMV.

ron59 · 07-15-2011, 12:40

I've had great success running 230gr fmj. PD through my G30sf. 730fps and very accurate... softer than WWB 230gr factory which was close to 800fps.

fredj338 · 07-15-2011, 12:43

You can save about $40/K shooting lead. So if you shoot 3K rounds, you'll pay for the LW bbl. Some will even tell you to go ahead & just run lead thru the stock bbl. It can be done eaily enough in the 45acp, just clean it frequently.

VictimNoMore · 07-15-2011, 12:58

I reload and shoot both lead and plated 230grn RN bullets through my G36. Never a problem. Barrel is squeaky clean.
Have at it.

sdelam · 07-15-2011, 13:56

If u go lead, bullet selection is critical. You want a round nose with no shoulder. I use the lyman 452-374. It seems to be the best of what I found. If your not casting your own, Mo bullet company makes a 200g round nose flat point that works well. Good luck.

Kapuna · 07-16-2011, 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdelam

If u go lead, bullet selection is critical. You want a round nose with no shoulder. ..Mo bullet company makes a 200g round nose flat point that works well...

Seems to be a consensus building that shooting lead bullets in a Glock .45 is acceptable... Use a good quality bullet...clean often to avoid buildup...
Now THAT is food for thought...

Appreciate everyone's contribution on the thread...

gasboffer · 07-16-2011, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdelam

If u go lead, bullet selection is critical. You want a round nose with no shoulder. I use the lyman 452-374. It seems to be the best of what I found. If your not casting your own, Mo bullet company makes a 200g round nose flat point that works well. Good luck.

What he said. Mine won't feed semi-wadcutters, truncated cone tumble lube (has a shoulder), round-nose tumble lube (has a shoulder), round nose flat point is problematical. Go with roundnose.

sdelam · 07-16-2011, 10:16

Forgot to mention, I am useing an aftermarket barrel. Its not marked and dont remeber which brand it is.

buckshotshorty · 07-16-2011, 13:30

I reload either Precision Delta 230 FMJ, Zero 230 FMJ, or Berry's plated 230 depending on what kind of deal I can get when I order. All are round nose and work fine. All prices include shipping.

Berry's: http://www.tjconevera.com/bullets.html
Precision Delta: http://www.precisiondelta.com/product.php
Zero Bullets: http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?

Glock21sf-miami · 07-16-2011, 20:26

Surprised nobody mentioned Montana Gold. My go-to load is 5 grs of WST pushing a 200gr Montana Gold JFP.

Feels just like factory Winchester 230gr FMJs

I load for a G36

Colorado4Wheel · 07-16-2011, 20:46

Start with a FMJ, learn the ropes. LW barrels can be hit or miss. Lead can be a PITA. Not saying either is a bad choice but start simple to build confidence and enjoy success to start with.

Kapuna · 07-17-2011, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

Start with a FMJ, learn the ropes....start simple to build confidence and enjoy success to start with.

More good food for thought...
Thanks....

tjpet · 07-18-2011, 11:29

Regardless of what bullet material used stick with a RN or RNFP (aka "cowboy style") and you'll have no feeding problems.

LW barrels run well. The folks I've seen that had problems didn't resize cases enough/seat bullets deep enough. Other then that they shot very accurately and to POA, the same as the factory barrel.

G36_Me · 07-18-2011, 15:04

I load a ton for the G36. Easiest and best is 230 gr FMJ type bullet.

My goto accuracy load for indoor GSSF is 185gr LSWC. Shoots easy, soft and deadly accurate. These are the short/flat LSWC, not the long nose SWC. They function flawlessly.

I did buy a Lone Wolf barrel for my G36 and have had terrible trouble with it, so I just use my factory barrel. It's like new in the case it came in. Many people seem to have great luck, I didn't. Of course the LW barrel eats the 230 gr FMJ, but that's not what I bought it for.

I keep really good records of my reloads if you want to compare notes.

AZson · 07-19-2011, 17:23

I use Bear Creek lead molly coated bullets in my stock G37 with very very little leading.
They are about $37 for 500. I use 4.6grs of Titegroup powder.

G36_Me · 07-20-2011, 14:33

One of you good guys sent me an email about what kind of 185gr LSWC I have good luck with. Of course, I lost the email, so I'm posting this here.

The bullet on the right (both are 185gr LSWC) shoots great out of my G36, factory barrel. The one on the left doesn't work well at all.

Both bullets are from a local caster: Vance Bullets. Only the #130 works in my G36. I don't really know what the #130 means. Tried to do some research on the internet and think it has something to do with the mold, but could never exactly find the facts.

The one on the left works fine in my 1911s. In fact, both work fine in my 1911s.

gasboffer · 07-21-2011, 08:18

That #130 is a Seaco mould. Thanks for posting the picture. I'm gonna get me one!

AZson · 07-21-2011, 09:02

I use the round nose flat tip bullet in mine. Never had a single jam.

njl · 07-21-2011, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock21sf-miami

Surprised nobody mentioned Montana Gold. My go-to load is 5 grs of WST pushing a 200gr Montana Gold JFP.

Feels just like factory Winchester 230gr FMJs

I load for a G36

For some reason, in .45acp, MG's prices tend to be quite a bit higher than either PD or Zero.

cole · 07-21-2011, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

Start with a FMJ, learn the ropes. LW barrels can be hit or miss. Lead can be a PITA. Not saying either is a bad choice but start simple to build confidence and enjoy success to start with.

Agreed.

I run LRN in my G30 with a LWD barrel. No issues. I prefer to save money over FMJ. Plated is not worth it at current prices.

HarveyatPC · 07-22-2011, 04:54

Regardless of what bullet material used stick with a RN or RNFP (aka "cowboy style") and you'll have no feeding problems.

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG in lone wolf barrel.

The only lead bullet to function was 230 gr, round nose in my lone wolf barrel, but the others ( 185 and 200 - LDSWC or RNFP) function perfect in the glock barrel and also my 1911. I use Berry Bullets with No Problems.

I have to other lone wolf barrels 40 to 9mm for a G22 and 357sig for G35 and have use all weight of bullets and all have worked well. I love the 357 sig barrel, it's a fire breathing dragon!!!