lead ammo questions

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Llywelyn

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ok, so I know lead bullets are a lot cheaper to reload...but I've always heard that shooting lead can lead to build up in your barrel or damage and that its hard to clean out...does anyone have experience with this. I'd like to start reloading lead because I can then shoot so much cheaper..but I'd hate to ruin my barrel or do something that effects my accuracy to much...I'm mostly just shooting 9mm and .223 out of my AR.

If anyone can comment on this and clear my mind on these facts I would much appreciate it.

thanks
Llywelyn
 
Keep your velocity down or gas check your boolits and you shouldn't have any issues with the 9mm maybe ben could comment on the .223.I shoot 80 cast rds per week out of my .41 rem mag and just ordered a mold to make boolits for my .9mm
 
I shoot lead exclusively in my 9mm. I also experiment a fair amount with different powder combinations, lead hardnesses and velocities. Occasionally, I will get leading due to this experimenting.

I am lucky that my 9mm barrel is stainless steel. When I get leading, I immerse the barrel in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide which I keep in a mason jar. The lead melts right away in about 10 minutes. I then rinse the barrel under the tap and continue my normal cleaning routine.

The vinegar and hydrogen peroxide mix will also remove bluing or lube, so it can only be used on stainless or unfinished metal.
 
Most of the time, lead fouling can be removed with a piece of copper scouring pad wrapped around a bore brush. Use a magnet to make sure you are using all-cooper scoring pads, not plated steel.

That said, severe leading is generally caused by undersized bullets and/or unsuitable lube. You should be able to drive cast bullets out of the 9mm just as fast as jacketed bullets. Cast bullets for the .223 are used for reduced loads.
 
Or, the OP could use plated (not jacketed) bullets like CamPro, or Berry's in his 9mm. Not as cheap as lead, but not nearly as expensive as jacketed rounds.
And no leading issues.
 
M12shooter said:
Used to clean leading out of pistol barrels with mercury. Did a fine job.
Click to expand...

And still does.

The only thing I don't shoot lead in is .223 the other 9 handgun calibers and 11 rifle calibers all get a steady diet of lead. In fact the last time I bought jacketed bullets (other than the .223) Trudeau was till in office.
 
I can't comment on the .223 with lead bullets, other than I would be worried about lead fouling up the gas system...

As to 9mm and lead bullets, it is all I shoot out my Sig P226's and Beretta 92... I have not seen the need for gas checks as I keep the velocities down to around 900 fps with a 140 grain SWC... I cast out of a harder alloy similar to linotype with a Brinell hardness of about 24, and they are sized to .357 inches... I have tried bullets sized at .355 but they cause leading and the accuracy is very dismal in my pistols...

If lead is an issue, the previous mention of wrapping a bore brush with brass or copper scrub bad is the easiest and safest way to remove leading... Lead fowling will not damage your bore in the slightest...
 
I cast all my own handgun and rifle bullets. I shoot cast in 9 x 18 Mak. 9mm,38/357,45 ACP and in rifles 30-30,300 Sav. 7.62 x 39 and 54r.

Under normal circumstances leading doesn't have to be an issue,I only have one revolver that slightly leads due to the leads in the forcing cone being a little rough. It's a new gun and with some shooting over time that will take care of itself. Removing those lead flakes basically entails running a wet patch of Kroil Oil down the tube letting it set for about 30 min. and brushing it out with a bore brush wrapped with a tight fitting patch.

In the gas operated guns leading is not really an issue as long as you don't go through a lot of extend rapid fire secessions and super heat the rifle. One the gas piston type guns like my SKS rifles I can shoot a couple hundred rds. before fouling builds up on the face of the piston. That is easily removed using Kroil Oil,AFT fluid or Marvel Mystery Oil and some fine steel wool,coating the gas piston and inside of the gas tube with ATF or Marvel makes subsequent cleaning later much easier.

Here is a good explanation of leading and it's causes as well as how to keep it for happening in the first place. Click on the TOC bottom left and you can see the entire web book and download it for free if you like.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_7_Leading.htm
 
I found "Chore Boy" cleaning pads work well for de-leading. While on the topic of lead bullets....I cast my own bullets and so far, have been using 50/50 solder to blend out my alloys. Where can I find a reliable, (Canadian) source of tin ingots?
 
I searched even in the US for Chore Boy Copper pads and Johnsons Paste Wax. I found neither. Recently a local shop (Williams Arms) had copper pad repackaged in their gun cleaning section. I bought a bag.
 
hk33ka1 said:
I searched even in the US for Chore Boy Copper pads and Johnsons Paste Wax. I found neither. Recently a local shop (Williams Arms) had copper pad repackaged in their gun cleaning section. I bought a bag.
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What a coincidence. I was looking for the very same things when I was in the States. Also with no success.:bangHead:
 
hk33ka1 said:
I searched even in the US for Chore Boy Copper pads and Johnsons Paste Wax. I found neither. Recently a local shop (Williams Arms) had copper pad repackaged in their gun cleaning section. I bought a bag.
Click to expand...

I found copper pads at the dollar store last week in Edmonton and last can of Johnsons Paste wax I found at Canadian Tire just before Christmas and last spring at Home Depot.
 
bush1 said:
I heard that "Chore Boy pads worked well on lead fouling so I looked in a few stores today, & no luck. Where did you find yours?
Click to expand...

I was looking in all the wrong places but I finally found a source for the "Chore Boy, Copper Scrubbers"
Home Hardware has them stocked as Item# 4543-103 for $1.99 each.
 
I can only add that I haven't seen any molds that are Gas check for the 9mm, but I wouldn't shoot any handgun that couldn't use lead, you wouldn't be able to afford to practice! The .22 Centre fires make great cast bullet guns but velocities must be kept down for best accuracy, and the action may not cycle on semis. I have no experience with fouling gas ports on semis........
 
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