..such as white box winchester USA....used it in my Colt OP and had the worst leading you can imagine....frustratingly awful to brush it clean...now I only use a load that has a lubricated bullet..world of difference..don't like to use jacketed bullets in my 38s...I always use a lead RN..but only a good quality load...esp like the 148 match wadcutters to shoot at targets...
stay away from cheap lead 38 special ammo
- Thread starter aspen1964
- Start date
22-rimfire
New member
Heavy leading is usually cased by soft lead bullets shot at high velocity.
lead .38 ammunition
I primarily use lead reloads as practice ammunition in all of my revolvers.
On a normal trip to the range, I'll take 100 rounds of Lead SWC reloads and a 50 round box of GI spec 130 grn FMJ-RN .38s.
Most of my practice courses are either 30 or 60 rounds long. After about 4 cylinders full of the reloads I shoot a cylinder full of the ball ammo. I finish up with whatever ball ammo is left over. That seems to keep the lead cleaned out of the bore pretty well.
Shooter's Choice also makes a specific solvent for lead removal that works pretty well. www.shooters-choice.com.
I primarily use lead reloads as practice ammunition in all of my revolvers.
On a normal trip to the range, I'll take 100 rounds of Lead SWC reloads and a 50 round box of GI spec 130 grn FMJ-RN .38s.
Most of my practice courses are either 30 or 60 rounds long. After about 4 cylinders full of the reloads I shoot a cylinder full of the ball ammo. I finish up with whatever ball ammo is left over. That seems to keep the lead cleaned out of the bore pretty well.
Shooter's Choice also makes a specific solvent for lead removal that works pretty well. www.shooters-choice.com.
Yes.
Lyman is (IMNSHO) the best source for what you'll need.
Nobody does lead like Lyman.
Leading is caused by:
1.) Improper and/or insufficient lube
2.) Improper powder - slower burning is better
3.) Improperly sized bullets - .002 over is generally best.
4.) Gas blow by at the base of the bullet.
Hardness of the bullet and velocity have little effect on the tendancy of an otherwise properly loaded lead bullet to leave lead deposits.
I regularly drive very soft swaged lead bullets (.430 dia .44Mag) at velocities which approach 1500/1600 fps out of my Winchester Trapper with no leading whatsoever.
Most commercial lead reloads violate all three of the major causes of leading:
1.) They use a lube which is cheap, sticks well in the grooves for shipping and is easy to apply. This is great for shipping, but not so great as a bullet lube.
2.) Faster burning powders require less powder, therefore are more economical. eg. ~ 8 gr of Bullesye will deliver the same velocity as ~ 17 gr of 2400. when used behind a 240 gr cast or swaged lead .430 dia .44 Mag.
That figures out to a considerable savings since it almost halves the cost of a prime component of mfg. For the average Joe Handloader it isn't a big deal. for a commercial loader that loads millions of rounds a year, it's a huge savings.
3.) One size fits all theory of mfg. Bore sizes are fairly constant across all brands of revolvers. Chamber mouths OTOH, vary considerably.
Don't think so?
Slug you bores and each chamber and see for yourself. Smith's (as a rule) aren't too bad. Colt and Ruger OTOH can be terrible - especially in the .45 Colt.
Anyhow - I'm out of any further discussion of leading. This is the last time I post about it. Why? It's useless to even try to point out the real cause. Sure as shootin, come a week or two and someone will be quick to point out that "going above 1000 fps will cause leading".
*sigh*
I have two Smith wheel guns that both have over 2000 rounds of lead
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
I have two Smith wheel guns that both have over 2000 rounds of lead
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
I have two Smith wheel guns that both have over 2000 rounds of lead
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
I have two Smith wheel guns that both have over 2000 rounds of lead
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
I have two Smith wheel guns that both have over 2000 rounds of lead
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
To say that lead is bad for a gun is insane.
To shoot lead at to high a speed will cause leading but so what. That is why we clean guns.
I have a friend that make lead bullets for a business (Supplies bullets to all the gun shops in town) They will shot as well as any jacket bullet you can purchase and do it for 1/3 the price.
Yes they are hard and he uses a very high grade of lub and they work.
I do not care for factory lead becouse they are normaly made for VERY low speed for cowboy shooting.
I agree with Hal, I have pushed 44 mag lead bullets with gas checks at over 1500 fps with no leading out of a contender.
One smith gun that I own a Mod 24 in 44 sp has over 3000 rounds of lead through it. I know this becouse I am on my 7 box of his bullets and they come in 500 round wooden boxes.
the amount of lead that this gun has in it has never been more than a slight trace just forward of the forcing cone and its always been easy to remove.
Gas checks
O-man, you sure are repetative!
I agree that gas checks would help the problem but the bullets still come lubed, from my experience. Or you could try some of those lead bullets that have the thin plating on them. Looks kinda like a jacket but is much thinner. No exposed lead. You can see any flaws in the bullets thru it. And I think they are cheaper than jacketed too. I just bought a nice .38 and had to scrub and scrub for days to get most of the lead out. Even useing the lead remover stuff they mentioned above. The thing was used for training classes and apparently fired with constant low power or wadcutter loads? And never cleaned properly.
O-man, you sure are repetative!
I agree that gas checks would help the problem but the bullets still come lubed, from my experience. Or you could try some of those lead bullets that have the thin plating on them. Looks kinda like a jacket but is much thinner. No exposed lead. You can see any flaws in the bullets thru it. And I think they are cheaper than jacketed too. I just bought a nice .38 and had to scrub and scrub for days to get most of the lead out. Even useing the lead remover stuff they mentioned above. The thing was used for training classes and apparently fired with constant low power or wadcutter loads? And never cleaned properly.I use lead SWCs at a rate of about 8-10 to 1 to jacketed bullets in my S&W 629 .44 Magnum. My local supply of bullets has dried up currently and I lack space to cast properly, but I am considering going ahead and ordering up some Oregon Trails from Cabela's or similar.
So far I have noticed that the Carroll bullets I had been using have thick, sticky lube and are undersize at only about .429" or so. They lead pretty badly if I try to push them. About 1000-1100 fps is all they will take before the Lewis Lead Remover has to come out every cleaning. I've also fired some gas-checked 300gr LBTs with heavy loads and been left with a squeaky clean barrel. I can't recall the diameter of the LBTs but I think it is in the .430-.431" range.
Besides, for the price difference between lead and jacketed, I will gladly clean a little harder if needed because I get to fire 3-4 times as many rounds!
So far I have noticed that the Carroll bullets I had been using have thick, sticky lube and are undersize at only about .429" or so. They lead pretty badly if I try to push them. About 1000-1100 fps is all they will take before the Lewis Lead Remover has to come out every cleaning. I've also fired some gas-checked 300gr LBTs with heavy loads and been left with a squeaky clean barrel. I can't recall the diameter of the LBTs but I think it is in the .430-.431" range.
Besides, for the price difference between lead and jacketed, I will gladly clean a little harder if needed because I get to fire 3-4 times as many rounds!
If you are going to shoot lead often, get the Lewis lead remover and be done with cleaning it out. Outters has a simular device.
Please don't shoot jacketed after shooting lead and think the lead is gone, it's not and is now covered over by copper. If you choose to shoot lead, clean before going over to jacketed and vice versa. Stainless pistols and lead don't mix the best but....see above.
Lead is cheap and not that big of deal if you take care of what needs to be taken care of. I shoot mostly lead out of my 1911's and only shoot lead in my 38/357's once in awhile.
Please don't shoot jacketed after shooting lead and think the lead is gone, it's not and is now covered over by copper. If you choose to shoot lead, clean before going over to jacketed and vice versa. Stainless pistols and lead don't mix the best but....see above.
Lead is cheap and not that big of deal if you take care of what needs to be taken care of. I shoot mostly lead out of my 1911's and only shoot lead in my 38/357's once in awhile.