Leading the barrel with GC cast bullets
- Thread starter pacobillie
- Start date
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Not really. There are too many variables for any blanket rules.
Bore condition, bullet fit in the barrel, lead alloy composition, etc. The Lee reloading book has a couple of chapters with details on figuring out some theoretical guidelines for relating chamber pressure to lead hardness but in the end you have to do the testing with your particular gun and variables.
Bore condition, bullet fit in the barrel, lead alloy composition, etc. The Lee reloading book has a couple of chapters with details on figuring out some theoretical guidelines for relating chamber pressure to lead hardness but in the end you have to do the testing with your particular gun and variables.
I tried to make "rule of thumb" on my website, but it's very general. Cast Bullet FAQ (jetbullets.com)
I never got much real-life correlation with the Lee alloy strength vs pressure calculations, especially with gas check bullets. In some cases a too-hard bullet will lead more than a softer alloy. A sure way to lead up a barrel is to shoot an undersize very hard bullet - might as well pour molten lead in the muzzle.
If everything is right with bullet sizing, alloy, load, bore condition - you should be able to expect +1800 fps, and many (most?) rifles would do over 2000 fps without significant leading. That said, I've also noticed some rifles will have peak accuracy drop off at the higher velocities. I've noticed many of my rifles have a sweet spot between 1650-1850 fps with best accuracy and no leading.
I never got much real-life correlation with the Lee alloy strength vs pressure calculations, especially with gas check bullets. In some cases a too-hard bullet will lead more than a softer alloy. A sure way to lead up a barrel is to shoot an undersize very hard bullet - might as well pour molten lead in the muzzle.
If everything is right with bullet sizing, alloy, load, bore condition - you should be able to expect +1800 fps, and many (most?) rifles would do over 2000 fps without significant leading. That said, I've also noticed some rifles will have peak accuracy drop off at the higher velocities. I've noticed many of my rifles have a sweet spot between 1650-1850 fps with best accuracy and no leading.
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Thanks! This is very helpful.
