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Posted: 9/22/2009 7:34:53 AM EDT
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I have been loading .45acp. Using 230gr. LRN bullet by Missouri Bullet Company (they say a 18 on the Brinell), over 4.8 grains of IMR 700X.
I worked this load up for my Kimber Stainless Target II and found it groups great and works well. I also use this load in a Glock 30SF ( I change out the barrel to shoot lead) Both guns cycle and group these rounds very well. The only problem is I am getting a good amount of leading on both. I want to reduce or if possible eliminate this from happening. Second question....I am going to start casting this weekend, what if anything should i do to prevent the same issue from occurring using bullets i cast myself. Thanks everyone for your help! |
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One of the biggest myths concerning shooting cast bullet loads is the belief that leading is a function of alloy hardness, ie. that softer alloy will lead the barrel and a hard alloy will not. The primary cause of leading is poor bullet fit, specifically shooting a bullet that is under size for the bore. That is why slugging the bore ( driving a soft lead slug through the barel ) is so important. That tells you what the correct diameter of the cast bullet in that gun should be. The bullet should be .001 over groove diameter.
Many commercial bullets are undersize. In my Kimber 1911 I shoot a .452 diameter bullet and do not get lead and I shoot a 50/50 mix of WW and lead. The 45 ACP is great cartridge for shooting cast because it operates at low pressure. ( relatively speaking ) What diameter are your commerical bullets? |
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been using the same .452
I had also used .452 diameter LSWC and while i did get a small amount of leading it was minimal at best....I changed to round nose so i could shoot the same load from both guns (SWC would not run in the glock) And since i have changed to round nose i have had this problem. |
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It is possible, but seems unlikely. I Believe them to be as clean as i can get them ( I am also using a lead remover). Certainly no visible signs of leading remain when i am finished cleaning the barrel. But i guess it is possible that some leading remains.
Have not measured them myself. If they are mis-marked they have been mis-marked on more then one box...again it is possible. |
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So assuming the barrels clean and the bullets are indeed .452, there are two things you can try to stop the leading and use up the commercial cast you have. First, try a different powder. A different burn speed sometimes makes a leading situation go away.
Second, many commercial cast use a crappy hard wax lube. ( not familiar with what you have as I cast my own ) Get a bottle of Lee Liquid alox and lube with that right over the existing lube. Sometimes that will stop a leading situation also. Good luck. |
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From my experience..........
Many factors affect leading. Hardness of the bullet. (Yes, it makes a difference.) Bullet style, size and lube grooves. What lube you're using. Velocity of the bullet. Condition of the bore. Gas check bullet or not. Etc........... So, depending on how far you want to take this.........some stuff you can control and some stuff you are less likely to have control over. One of the easiest ways to lessen the lead in your bore..........is to lower your velocity and/or go with a harder bullet. If you really wanted to go fast........why not just use a jacketed bullet? If you want "defense ammo"........buy it. There are many reasons for that advice, take it or leave it. STORY TIME. I once went looking for a sizer die for my home cast .38 special bullets. The regular die is .358". But, I wanted a die .357". To make a long story short...........well, it took awhile til I got it. Aloha, Mark |
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Quoted:
I have been loading .45acp. Using 230gr. LRN bullet by Missouri Bullet Company (they say a 18 on the Brinell), over 4.8 grains of IMR 700X. I worked this load up for my Kimber Stainless Target II and found it groups great and works well. I also use this load in a Glock 30SF ( I change out the barrel to shoot lead) Both guns cycle and group these rounds very well. The only problem is I am getting a good amount of leading on both. I want to reduce or if possible eliminate this from happening. Second question....I am going to start casting this weekend, what if anything should i do to prevent the same issue from occurring using bullets i cast myself. Thanks everyone for your help! I have shot the .452, 185 gr SWC from Missouri Bullet Co. in my Kimber. I used the soft alloy bullets and loaded them to 750 fps. I have used Titegroup and my favorite Clays. (plain Clays) 
They work for me with no leading. Read the write up on MBC website about bullet alloy. eta, here is the Link. |
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Quoted:
So assuming the barrels clean and the bullets are indeed .452, there are two things you can try to stop the leading and use up the commercial cast you have. First, try a different powder. A different burn speed sometimes makes a leading situation go away. Second, many commercial cast use a crappy hard wax lube. ( not familiar with what you have as I cast my own ) Get a bottle of Lee Liquid alox and lube with that right over the existing lube. Sometimes that will stop a leading situation also. Good luck. +1 on the Lee Liquid Alox I cast and shoot 9 mm all the time no leading at all. Next casting .308 with a gas check. 
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