bullet question, quick answer if you know. - Page 2

Stevew · October 24th, 2009, 06:56 PM

Lead bullets are very popular with folks that shoot a lot. Lead fouling of the barrel can become a problem if velocity is over 1100 fps. If shooting a Glock replace the barrel with after market barrel (BARSTO is the only one I have used). Alot of the ammo sold at gun shows here is handloaded. I load my own and have never purchased someone elses hand loads, but I have friends that do it all the time. For auto I like to know for sure that the gun the brass was shot in had a fully supported chamber.

jem102 · October 24th, 2009, 07:42 PM

The original "Hardball" load for the 1911 was lead at IIRC 825 fps. I have cast my own and shot 1,000's. If you want to find out just how accurate your 1911 can be load up some Federal cases with their #150 primers, 8.6 gr. of Blue Dot and a well formed cast or Speer swaged bullet in the 200-230 range. If you have a half way decent gun it can be scary the groups you can shoot. I have never had a leading problem in the 5 1911's I have owned with that load and good bullets. It chrono's right @ 850 fps. The magic speed for the standard 1911 twist rate and rifling style.

LouisianaMan · October 25th, 2009, 12:58 AM

Lots of people shoot lead in autos & revolvers w/o problems, but sometimes the rounds cause leading & you have to shoot them to see if that happens for you. . . .

Frankly, it gets into ALL KINDS of possibilities--far more than some other posters have pointed out. Sometimes bullets lead because they are too hard--not soft. A common cause is size--usually they do best when about .001 larger than bore size of YOUR GUN, which you won't know unless you slug the barrel. If bullets are too small, they'll probably lead your barrel. On & on it goes--powder type, smoothness of your barrel, how the lead hardness matches the pressure of your load, etc.

If you want a well-articulated list of issues, look up Fryxell's articles on NRA - IHMSA Handgun, Rifle, Air Pistol Silhouette Shooting. The Excitement Of Reactive Steel Targets At The Los Angeles Silhouette Club.

But even after reading that, you won't know the answer until you try 'em! If they are quality reloads, they're worth a try & there is no reason to be afraid of them. As to how well they perform, Fryxell & other experts could probably make a ton of measurements & give you a fairly accurate prediction, but even they would eventually have to shoot 'em to find out for sure.

If they lead your barrel, scrub it out & decide if it's too much hassle. It won't ruin your gun.

Beans · October 25th, 2009, 12:52 PM

I have used only lead bullets for the last 40 years. I would hate to have to guess how many lead bulllets I have put down range. In the mid 80's I was shooting over 50,000 per year. Since the primer shortage I have slowed way down..

No problems so far.

For my SD loads I only use factory loads. No debate here just personal prefence

coffeecup · October 29th, 2009, 10:41 AM

Hummmm. Now you have me thinking that if I didnt shoot lead bullets my powder and primer bills wouldnt be so high.

Do ya think I should sell my casting equipment?

October 24th, 2009, 06:56 PM	#11
Stevew Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mississippi Posts: 343	Lead bullets are very popular with folks that shoot a lot. Lead fouling of the barrel can become a problem if velocity is over 1100 fps. If shooting a Glock replace the barrel with after market barrel (BARSTO is the only one I have used). Alot of the ammo sold at gun shows here is handloaded. I load my own and have never purchased someone elses hand loads, but I have friends that do it all the time. For auto I like to know for sure that the gun the brass was shot in had a fully supported chamber. __________________ Glock 22, GP100, S&W mod 60, Colt Delta Elite, Colt Govt 380, Ruger Single Six, Ruger Bearcat, Colt New Police

October 25th, 2009, 12:58 AM	#13
LouisianaMan Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Francisville, LA Posts: 48	If you trust the reloader, try them out. . . Lots of people shoot lead in autos & revolvers w/o problems, but sometimes the rounds cause leading & you have to shoot them to see if that happens for you. . . . Frankly, it gets into ALL KINDS of possibilities--far more than some other posters have pointed out. Sometimes bullets lead because they are too hard--not soft. A common cause is size--usually they do best when about .001 larger than bore size of YOUR GUN, which you won't know unless you slug the barrel. If bullets are too small, they'll probably lead your barrel. On & on it goes--powder type, smoothness of your barrel, how the lead hardness matches the pressure of your load, etc. If you want a well-articulated list of issues, look up Fryxell's articles on NRA - IHMSA Handgun, Rifle, Air Pistol Silhouette Shooting. The Excitement Of Reactive Steel Targets At The Los Angeles Silhouette Club. But even after reading that, you won't know the answer until you try 'em! If they are quality reloads, they're worth a try & there is no reason to be afraid of them. As to how well they perform, Fryxell & other experts could probably make a ton of measurements & give you a fairly accurate prediction, but even they would eventually have to shoot 'em to find out for sure. If they lead your barrel, scrub it out & decide if it's too much hassle. It won't ruin your gun.

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October 24th, 2009, 07:42 PM	#12
jem102 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jefferson County TN Posts: 150	The original "Hardball" load for the 1911 was lead at IIRC 825 fps. I have cast my own and shot 1,000's. If you want to find out just how accurate your 1911 can be load up some Federal cases with their #150 primers, 8.6 gr. of Blue Dot and a well formed cast or Speer swaged bullet in the 200-230 range. If you have a half way decent gun it can be scary the groups you can shoot. I have never had a leading problem in the 5 1911's I have owned with that load and good bullets. It chrono's right @ 850 fps. The magic speed for the standard 1911 twist rate and rifling style.

October 25th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#14
Beans Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: AZ Territory, Border County Posts: 417	I have used only lead bullets for the last 40 years. I would hate to have to guess how many lead bulllets I have put down range. In the mid 80's I was shooting over 50,000 per year. Since the primer shortage I have slowed way down.. No problems so far. For my SD loads I only use factory loads. No debate here just personal prefence

October 29th, 2009, 10:41 AM	#15
coffeecup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cadiz,Ky Posts: 780	Hummmm. Now you have me thinking that if I didnt shoot lead bullets my powder and primer bills wouldnt be so high. Do ya think I should sell my casting equipment?