Lead Ammo Question?

cmb · September 24th, 2009, 05:35 PM

I am having trouble finding reasonably priced 45 auto. (aren't we all) found some lead rounds at the range I shoot at that the owner reloads. They will be shot in a Springfield 45. Any Issues, Comments or Recommendation?

Astute · September 24th, 2009, 06:13 PM

Should be fine if you trust the reloader to know what he's doing.

automatic slim · September 24th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Plan on scrubbing that barrel. I don't care how hard the alloy or how slow the velocity, Lead always leaves a barrel trashed.

Majorlk · September 24th, 2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automatic slim

Plan on scrubbing that barrel. I don't care how hard the alloy or how slow the velocity, Lead always leaves a barrel trashed.

That's somewhat of an exaggeration. Yes, even with hard cast, there is some leading, especially if one is pushing the velocity envelope. Loads in a .45 ACP kept under about 800 fps will not severely lead a barrel, especially one that have been broken in with a couple of thousand jacketed rounds. A virgin barrel is another matter.

At any rate, a couple of minutes with a Lewis Lead Remover will take care of any leading that accumulates. FWIW, except in virgin barrels, it takes a couple of hundred rounds before leading begins to adversely affect accuracy.

LouisianaMan · September 24th, 2009, 10:08 PM

There are LOTS of additional variables in shooting lead bullets. Lube, fit of bullet to your barrel, velocity vs. Brinell hardness of alloy. . .Sometimes you get leading b/c alloy's too soft, sometimes b/c it's too hard. Tough to generalize.

IMO, try 'em out if you trust the reloader. There's a good chance you'll be fine--you don't have some of the problems of revolvers with varying chamber sizes, forcing cones and the like.

If you do have a problem with leading, get some Chore Boy (pure) copper pot scrubbers from the grocery or hardware store, wrap some around a cleaning brush for a snug fit in your barrel, and scrub it out w/some solvent and w/o much trouble. If it comes to that, don't buy copper-covered steel pot scrubbers--could scratch up your bore. If in doubt, check with a magnet. I've always heard good things about the Lewis Lead Remover, but the Chore Boy solution is widely used by cast bullet shooters, and it's worked for me as I've experimented with casting & loads recently.

Majorlk · September 24th, 2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisianaMan

If you do have a problem with leading, get some Chore Boy (pure) copper pot scrubbers from the grocery or hardware store, wrap some around a cleaning brush for a snug fit in your barrel, and scrub it out w/some solvent and w/o much trouble. If it comes to that, don't buy copper-covered steel pot scrubbers--could scratch up your bore. If in doubt, check with a magnet. I've always heard good things about the Lewis Lead Remover, but the Chore Boy solution is widely used by cast bullet shooters, and it's worked for me as I've experimented with casting & loads recently.

I just learned a new trick to removing lead. Thanks!

nn · September 25th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisianaMan

There are LOTS of additional variables in shooting lead bullets. Lube, fit of bullet to your barrel, velocity vs. Brinell hardness of alloy. . .Sometimes you get leading b/c alloy's too soft, sometimes b/c it's too hard. Tough to generalize.

IMO, try 'em out if you trust the reloader. There's a good chance you'll be fine--you don't have some of the problems of revolvers with varying chamber sizes, forcing cones and the like.

If you do have a problem with leading, get some Chore Boy (pure) copper pot scrubbers from the grocery or hardware store, wrap some around a cleaning brush for a snug fit in your barrel, and scrub it out w/some solvent and w/o much trouble. If it comes to that, don't buy copper-covered steel pot scrubbers--could scratch up your bore. If in doubt, check with a magnet. I've always heard good things about the Lewis Lead Remover, but the Chore Boy solution is widely used by cast bullet shooters, and it's worked for me as I've experimented with casting & loads recently.

+1 0n the chore boy method

Superhouse 15 · September 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM

Shooting other people's reloads is rarely a good idea.

JerryM · September 26th, 2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisianaMan

There are LOTS of additional variables in shooting lead bullets. Lube, fit of bullet to your barrel, velocity vs. Brinell hardness of alloy. . .Sometimes you get leading b/c alloy's too soft, sometimes b/c it's too hard. Tough to generalize.

IMO, try 'em out if you trust the reloader. There's a good chance you'll be fine--you don't have some of the problems of revolvers with varying chamber sizes, forcing cones and the like.

If you do have a problem with leading, get some Chore Boy (pure) copper pot scrubbers from the grocery or hardware store, wrap some around a cleaning brush for a snug fit in your barrel, and scrub it out w/some solvent and w/o much trouble. If it comes to that, don't buy copper-covered steel pot scrubbers--could scratch up your bore. If in doubt, check with a magnet. I've always heard good things about the Lewis Lead Remover, but the Chore Boy solution is widely used by cast bullet shooters, and it's worked for me as I've experimented with casting & loads recently.

Chore Boy works for me.
Jerry

gottabkiddin · September 26th, 2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automatic slim

Plan on scrubbing that barrel. I don't care how hard the alloy or how slow the velocity, Lead always leaves a barrel trashed.

+1

September 24th, 2009, 05:35 PM	#1
cmb Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: florida Posts: 371	Lead Ammo Question? I am having trouble finding reasonably priced 45 auto. (aren't we all) found some lead rounds at the range I shoot at that the owner reloads. They will be shot in a Springfield 45. Any Issues, Comments or Recommendation?

September 24th, 2009, 06:13 PM	#2
Astute Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Posts: 146	Should be fine if you trust the reloader to know what he's doing. __________________ GOOD LUCK!!! John http://www.packing4life.com

September 24th, 2009, 07:24 PM	#3
automatic slim Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The western edge of The Confederacy Posts: 1,223	Plan on scrubbing that barrel. I don't care how hard the alloy or how slow the velocity, Lead always leaves a barrel trashed. __________________ "First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand." Edge of Darkness

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September 24th, 2009, 10:08 PM	#5
LouisianaMan Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Francisville, LA Posts: 48	There are LOTS of additional variables in shooting lead bullets. Lube, fit of bullet to your barrel, velocity vs. Brinell hardness of alloy. . .Sometimes you get leading b/c alloy's too soft, sometimes b/c it's too hard. Tough to generalize. IMO, try 'em out if you trust the reloader. There's a good chance you'll be fine--you don't have some of the problems of revolvers with varying chamber sizes, forcing cones and the like. If you do have a problem with leading, get some Chore Boy (pure) copper pot scrubbers from the grocery or hardware store, wrap some around a cleaning brush for a snug fit in your barrel, and scrub it out w/some solvent and w/o much trouble. If it comes to that, don't buy copper-covered steel pot scrubbers--could scratch up your bore. If in doubt, check with a magnet. I've always heard good things about the Lewis Lead Remover, but the Chore Boy solution is widely used by cast bullet shooters, and it's worked for me as I've experimented with casting & loads recently.

September 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM	#8
Superhouse 15 Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,509	Shooting other people's reloads is rarely a good idea.