Lead Ammo.Yes oe No

curley5

I have come apon alot of Lead ammo.I don't see many people useing it anymoe.I know it must be hard on gun barrels and chambers.I don't have anything in it.But do I even want to shoot it in my guns at practice? If I do what special cleaning should I do beside my regular bore cleaner? Thanks

Tailgunner1954

It works great in revolvers, and most pistols (exception being those with polyagonal rifling). Not to bad in the lower velocity class (under 2000fps) rifles either.
Lead is actualy easier on barrels & chambers than jacketed, and if a approperate lube is used than cleanup is the same as with jacketed ammo.
You may get some leading, if the combination of lead hardness/lube hardness/powder burn rate isn't correct, but it cleans out fairly easly by using a piece of "Scotchbrite" on your cleaning jag.
A lot of guys will make a big deal about how hard it is go get any lead out of the barrel, but those same guys think nothing about spending even more time getting all the copper (from jacketed bullets) out of their barrel.

perry shooter

Tail gunner has the correct answer I put about 5000-7500 rounds of lead bullets a year through my 45Acp target pistol rebarrel about ever 20 years because of barrel to frame lockup not any wear in barrel.

Xracer

Rule of thumb in pistols....in sub-sonic (less than 1100 fps) velocities, lead is fine (.45ACP, .44 Spl., .38 Spl. target loads). In faster cartridges (.357 Mag, .44 Mag, some 9mm, etc.) best to use jacketed bullets.

Many older rifles with fairly low velocity cartridges (less than about 2000 fps) used lead bullets almost exclusively, but IMO, anything faster than that (most modern rounds) should be jacketed.

But....remember, we're talking lead alloy here, Lyman #2 (a lead, tin & antimony alloy or wheel weights) etc.....not pure lead, which is too soft and should only be used in blackpowder rounds.

wcoxy2003

what is "polyagonal rifling"? ive read about polygonal. what is the difference in them? thanks

iwannausername

Instead of a cut "thread" sorta like what a screw would mate to, polygonal rifling is to take a rod shaped like a polygon, twist it slightly, and that is the inside of the barrel.

sig232

Most of my reloading is done with lead bullets. I will continue to use lead since its one heck of a lot cheaper to shoot and its much easier on the barrels.

I do understand the EPA is makeing its way around the ranges in the country to close them down due to lead exposure. If this happens to my current range I will switch to jackets bullets or just shoot in the woods. The EPA doesn't have enough staff to cover the whole state of Oregon, at least at this time. Give them time they will have a watchdog on every block.

Tailgunner1954

quote:Originally posted by wcoxy2003
what is "polyagonal rifling"? ive read about polygonal. what is the difference in them? thanks


My poor spelling [:I]

wcoxy2003

lol, ok "Tailgunner" thanks.

rsnyder55

Firearms that are gas operated should not be fired using lead bullets. Ruger 44 carbine (old model), HK P7's, Desert Eagles, come immediately to mind.

brier-49

xracer, I shoot only lead in my 357,have for years.Works fine, no leading at all.If using gas checked lead bullets just keep velocity below 2000/2200fps and you will be fine.I also use lead in my 44mag, have since I bought it for cast bullet silhoutes in 1980.no problems.