Copper Plated vs. Lead
- Thread starter rwj777
- Start date
It all depends, some pistols just arnt as accurate with lead, so jacketed is the way to go! If your gun likes lead just as well as jacketed then shoot lead. It may be a bit dirtier but it will likely be cheaper as well!
Generally button rifled barrels have sharph corners on the lands which tend to cut through the the soft thin copper plating as the bullet traverses the bore, and the plating can then separate from the bullet in flight. Some button rifled barrels will shoot them ok (not great...just ok) and some won't, but you don't know until you try. Lead bullets generally shoot more accurately out of these barrels but then you have the problem of smoke and fouling to deal with, so that leaves you with jacketed bullets. Polygonal barrels are usually ok to shoot plated with since there are no sharp corners to contend with.
For pistols there are different qualities of plated bullets. I have some Excel plated and I load them when I just want something to go "bang". Accuracy is generally "on the target" as long as the target is not too far away. (I have been told that they have now upgraded their equipment for better quality control)
Other plated bullets have thick plating and are very good accuracy wise, and I have not seen the "peeling away" of the copper plating as mentioned above. (If someone has a picture of a plated bullet with the plating peeled away, please post it)
Does plating reduce fowling compared to lead, yes. Note that some of the smoke from lead bullets is the lubricant and atomized lead from the base of the bullet, both caused by the flame from burning powder.
If you are shooting outdoors, it is not going to make much of a difference, but indoors, the difference is noticeable.
Other plated bullets have thick plating and are very good accuracy wise, and I have not seen the "peeling away" of the copper plating as mentioned above. (If someone has a picture of a plated bullet with the plating peeled away, please post it)
Does plating reduce fowling compared to lead, yes. Note that some of the smoke from lead bullets is the lubricant and atomized lead from the base of the bullet, both caused by the flame from burning powder.
If you are shooting outdoors, it is not going to make much of a difference, but indoors, the difference is noticeable.
"...but lead bullets do...." Only if you're casting in a poorly ventilated space. Otherwise, the chances of being lead poisoned from handling cast bullets are slim.
"...worse for 'fouling'?..." Lead bullets being driven too fast will cause leading in your barrel. All lead bullet require lubing too.
"...worse for 'fouling'?..." Lead bullets being driven too fast will cause leading in your barrel. All lead bullet require lubing too.
Fouling with lead bullets should not occur or be a problem if they are the proper size for your bore, and cast as hard as required for the velocity you plan to reach. Bullets that have multiple or large grooves that hold alot of lube will work much better to mitigate against fouling then the "one small groove-hard lube" designs that machine casters sell. For higher velocities; bullets cast from Linotype and with a gas check can be used with good effect.
Sorry Sunray, but you are mis-informed. I have never cast bullets in my life. As for reloading, I've been reloading since 1986, since then I've had 3 bad bouts of elevated blood lead levels. In each case the Base Medical Officer restricted(read that disallowed) my shooting for a 6 month period while the blood lead level returned to normal. Some people have considered wearing mask while shooting indoors, if so go to a certified safety supply store and purchase a mask that is rated as effective in stopping lead airborne contaminent. Most lead on indoor ranges is made airborne by your feet as you walk down the indoor range. While I was in the service, part of retaining my RSO qualification for indoor ranges was that I had to get a blood test every 6 months.
Elevated blood lead levels are nothing to f*ck around with they can cause serious damage to your body. Loss of co-ordination, loss of memory, mood swings, etc. It can really screw relationships up badly. Since I retired I only shoot outdoors which helps minimize airborne lead contaminent. A PMed tech I used to shoot with also let me in on a secret, during the reloading process on a single stage press, you can handle a single round 5-6 times. Your skin absorbs a lot of lead this way. When reloading I now wear latex surgical gloves and since they are cheap, use them in bulk. 4 boxes of 50 gloves each for $13.00 at Superstore. This way the only time my hands actually touch lead is when I load and fire the firearm. I shot IPSC for 10 years and Cowboy action now for another 11 years and I am a high volume shooter!
Elevated blood lead levels are nothing to f*ck around with they can cause serious damage to your body. Loss of co-ordination, loss of memory, mood swings, etc. It can really screw relationships up badly. Since I retired I only shoot outdoors which helps minimize airborne lead contaminent. A PMed tech I used to shoot with also let me in on a secret, during the reloading process on a single stage press, you can handle a single round 5-6 times. Your skin absorbs a lot of lead this way. When reloading I now wear latex surgical gloves and since they are cheap, use them in bulk. 4 boxes of 50 gloves each for $13.00 at Superstore. This way the only time my hands actually touch lead is when I load and fire the firearm. I shot IPSC for 10 years and Cowboy action now for another 11 years and I am a high volume shooter!
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Ive had couple people tell me that the Barnes Copper plated bullets are bad for barrels because of fouling etc. etc. I always thought that it was a problem with the old stock of bullets but this had been solved.
Bull#### ?
Bull#### ?
Funny you should ask this. I am currently going to buy some Lewis lead removal for my barrel since all I have been shooting is lead. I guess I should have been cleaning my barrel better right when I get home after every shoot because I tried for two hours yesterday to remove some lead out of my barrel and nothing would do it. I will never shoot lead again. FMJ from now on.
Properly made and sized and lubed, and of good design, cast bullets should not lead up your barrel much. They should be accurate and inexpensive, and casting them should not be a problem either as,from what I've read: the temperatures used in casting are not high enough to cause lead fume problems, however, shooting indoors is a dif. matter. Lead gets in the air, even with j-word bullets, and can/does enter into your lungs and you will ingest lead which is not good! After shooting inside I can feel a dif. in my breathing/lungs so I try to limit my indoor shooting.
