Wear on rifling - Is lead better than copper?

G37

G37

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Hi all,

I will have a new Revolver in a few days... .357mag/.38spl

I noticed that almost all of the new .38spl ammunition is lead (being from the semi-auto world I am used to copper).

So my question is, is lead better for the long-term life of a barrel or does it matter? Why is lead used almost exclusively for the .38spl?

I'd like to have an easy time cleaning my revolver when done shooting so copper would be the natural selection here, but, if there is a reason for lead in revolvers... then I don't want to mess with a good thing (I just want to know what it is) :)

Thanks.
 
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At .38 Special pressures, you'll wear out the bore from cleaning before over use regardless of bullet material.

However, jacketed and +p can be harder on the forcing cone.

Shoot what you please. If you wear out a barrel, you owe yourself a new one.
 
At standard .38 special velocities and pressures well lubed bullets won't leave a noticable lead, and are cheap and very easy on the bore (.22 rimfire shooters generally consider barrel life at around 100,000 rounds).

Depending on the exact model of handgun, you could be looking at a very long life, even using real fire-breathing full-house magnum loads.
 
Nice... Ruger GP100 in Stainless.
.38spl for the cheapness factor (closest thing to 9mm prices) but I have the option of going .357magnum :D

Will post pics next week ;)
 
Lead is definitly easier on your barrel over jacketed. That said, if you shoot out a barrel then you certainly owe yourself a new gun if the nursing home allows them.

Take Care

Bob
 
The GP100 is a very durable design, mine withstood a few thousand rounds of "silhouette-power" reloads (above manual-max) and many thousands of rounds loaded to a power-factor of 210. The forcing cone still looked good and there was an almost comlete absence of gas cutting on the topstrap. It'd still hit a bowling pin 2 times out of six at 100 m

With cast bullets and light powder charges you'll be shooting ammo that will be approaching the price of .22 rf (if you don't factor in the time).
 
i have put thousands of rounds thru a s&w model 19 in 357.both lead and jacketed, althouth the timing is out and she is a little loose the rifleing looks great. i think the gun will wear out before the barrel, least mine has. it needs a tuneup.
 
I just bought 1000rnds of Winchester Winclean .38spl. - Now I will never have to clean the thing :D
Man, I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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justin1628 said:
Where did you buy the winclean and how much did you pay?
Click to expand...

Smoking Gun FX - $120 + Taxes for 500rnds (125gr Winchester Winclean - BEB)

However he is temporarily shutting down shop for a week or two - today was the last day open.

I bought 2 cases (I should only have bought one - spending way too much)
If I decide I spent too much in the next couple days I will PM you and see if you want to buy an unopened case at my cost (I still have receipt)

:)
 
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Splatter said:
At standard .38 special velocities and pressures well lubed bullets won't leave a noticable lead, and are cheap and very easy on the bore (.22 rimfire shooters generally consider barrel life at around 100,000 rounds).

Depending on the exact model of handgun, you could be looking at a very long life, even using real fire-breathing full-house magnum loads.
Click to expand...


With properly lubed lead you should not only have the life of a 22 rim, but you should never need to clean to
 
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