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Ammo and Reloading Factory Ammunition, Reloading, Components, Load Data and more. |
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#1
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S&W SD40VE barrel wear and cast bullets, need help from the pro's...
I have a S&W SD40E with significant barrel wear that causes shots to go all very the place, even from 5 yards. This is with factory ammo. Before I go ahead and replace the barrel (we can assume it is worn, I asked a gunsmith), I thought I would ask for help with the reloaders.
I haven't reloaded in a few years but I have all the equipment and supplies. My thought was to cast something a little bigger then the factory 40sw spec to take up a little more room in the barrel using mold .401/75 from LEE. I would NOT resize the bullet after casting. The lead I have is on the harder side but I have access to really soft lead if needed. Generally, I usally powder coat as well. I am thinking the thickness of the powder coating will help with bullet sealing for this application. Would this work? What should I change? Is it just easier to replace the barrel? I am willing to spend some time casting bullets if it means I can still use the worn barrel since a new barrel isnt on a priority list and if I can cast bullets to work, then thats would I would like to do. Thank you |
#2
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I can't remember if my old SD40VE had the "electro" process rifling as some S&W's have where the rifling doesn't have a predominant edge, but is smoother and less pronounced.
IIRC, it was cut rifling. I would do what your gut is telling you and find a larger size bullet or mold cast. That alone may be the issue. I can't imagine the barrel becoming worn like that with factory ammo. How many rounds are through the gun? |
#3
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Op,
How many rounds through the sw? I had one in 40. Shot pretty good. Ran about 3000 rounds before I sold it. Hard to believe one could wear out a barrel? 401 isnt that big btw. Maybe 402? Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk
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Never enough reloading stuff |
#4
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^The statement on electro rifling: that is understood. I do notice the rifling is not pronounced as other barrels. Thank you, perhaps the gunsmith was mistaken. BTW, I didnt pay for the service, it was just counter talk at a shop.
Basically, my problem is that the gun is inaccurate as heck, and no, its not just bad form. I wouldn't be able to hit a dinner plate target at 5 yards. The spread is not predicable but usually below 0 degrees horizontal, almost like the bullet is catching no particular rifling grove and being directed downrange at weird angles. @Dononrai: Unknown shots but the gun seems to be in good condition. Mechanical are all tight, solid trigger pull and striker action. Nothing abnormal inside. Barrel itself, to me seems normal. Ramp and muzzle look used but no major material wear. Do you have a particular Lee Mold or other type of mold you think may work? I dont know if Lee even makes a 402.... Thank you guys |
#5
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Is the barrel clean?
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Lynn Dragoman, Jr. Southwest Regional Director Unlimited Range Shooters Association (URSA) www.unlimitedrange.org Not a commercial business. URSA - Competition starts at 2000 yards! |
#6
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I got my 402 mould, but it was NOT a lee. Cost was alot more. Got a nice brass NOE off of Cb forum. I would send you some to try but all I have is 401 from a lee mould. Pm me and I can send some for you to test. Have not used the 402 yet. Dont like to cast when rain is in the forecast Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk
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Never enough reloading stuff |
#7
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Any considerstion to slugging that barrel first to see if a worn bore is really the issue?
IIWM I'd pull a factory projectile from the ammo I was using, mark and mic the diameter in two or three places radially, force it through the barrel, and repeat measurements. That would tell you if your barrel is worn bad enough to cause the spray pattern op described. |
#9
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SLUG YOUR BARREL. You'll never know if the bullet is not engaging the rifling unless you do this or shoot bullets into a pool and recover them. Just find a pure lead sinker that is of the right size or melt the lead sinker into a fired 40 S&W case and use a kinetic bullet puller to whack it out. It will be slightly tapered so it should fit in the barrel from the muzzle. Lube the bullet/barrel well and drive the slug until it's flush with the muzzle, then drive it back out and measure the land and groove diameter. The fattest part of the bullet (a little touch to measure with calipers on 5 groove rifling, but doable) should be 0.400". The narrowest part of the indentations had better be considerably less or else the lands are not grabbing the bullet. Also carefully inspect the crown of the barrel. I hope you haven't been ramming a cleaning rod down the muzzle. A damaged crown can turn a rifle in to a shotgun or a modern pistol into not much more than a smootbore in terms of accuracy. |
#10
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I took the advice and did a standard cleaning but there is some material in the barrel that isn't coming off with Cleaning Solution. I don't want to jack up the rifling, any advice on a better method to get the rest of the material out of the barrel? Here are some pics:
Last edited by ansan12001; 12-04-2018 at 10:08 AM.. Reason: added pictures |
#11
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I doubt your barrel is worn out at all. It could just be damaged from poor cleaning practices or being dropped on the muzzle or really fouled.
__________________
Randall Rausch AR work: www.ar15barrels.com Bolt actions: www.700barrels.com Foreign Semi Autos: www.akbarrels.com Barrel, sight and trigger work on most pistols and shotguns. Most work performed while-you-wait, evening and saturday appointments available. Last edited by ar15barrels; 12-04-2018 at 11:48 AM.. |
#12
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Quote:
The rifling is still sharp at the throat. There sure looks like some lead fouling down the barrel though. Get a lewis lead remover and clean out the barrel.
__________________
Randall Rausch AR work: www.ar15barrels.com Bolt actions: www.700barrels.com Foreign Semi Autos: www.akbarrels.com Barrel, sight and trigger work on most pistols and shotguns. Most work performed while-you-wait, evening and saturday appointments available. |
#15
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I wish the barrels on some of my old Single Action Army's looked that "bad".
The gunsmith that told you that barrel is worn out needs to find another line of work. Is it machined out of tolerance? The bore too large? Maybe. Slugging the bore will tell you. Then size your cast bullets .002" over the groove diameter. The leading that you see is not bad. Most of my 1911's have that. They are very accurate. I quit worrying about little things like that 20 years ago. Steve in N CA |
#17
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Agree with the last few posts. In my opinion, if the barrel won't shoot decent groups with factory ammo then replace it. On a defensive, non-target gun, I'm not interested in finding a lead round that will shoot great. This is not part of its purpose. Just my 2 cents. On a defensive handgun, I will tolerate 4 to 6 inch groups at 25 yards with any pistol and any load - standing and unsupported. I'm not working up a load for plinking shooting. Now target guns are a much different story.
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#18
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Beat me to it. I was thinking bad/damaged crown too.
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NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun and Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor California DOJ Certified Fingerprint Roller Ventura County approved CCW Instructor Utah CCW Instructor Offering low cost multi state CCW, private basic shooting and reloading classes for calgunners. CCW SAFE MEMBERSHIPS HERE KM6WLV |
#19
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Update:
I cleaned the hell out of the barrel. Tried something new and different, since I was already planning on a new barrel (70.00). I have used Seafoam on many applications that involve metal so I went ahead and soaked the barrel in some of that. After 15 mins, I used a copper wire gun brush and was able to get the barrel very nice and clean. Afterwards, I used dish soap to get the seafoam off and then light coat of gun oil. Took to the SDPD range (25yards, 10 bucks all day lane) since I had the day off. I was surprised at how well the gun shot, admittedly I dont have a good aim but did hit the target, perhaps 2 foot spread. I consider this a huge success and I appreciate all the helpful advice, saved me from a making a needless purchase. Last edited by ansan12001; 12-05-2018 at 7:34 PM.. |
#21
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Quote:
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#22
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Maybe it's the photography but I'm a little concerned about the picture that shows the muzzle end of the barrel. Most guns I have show distinct groove edges at the crown. The picture is fuzzy and maybe the blurriness smooths over the rifling edges.
Are there distinct edges of the rifling on the muzzle end of the barrel? |
#23
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40sw
Quote:
As far as crown, I think the picture is blurry. It will be interesting how Seafoam works in other firearm applications. |
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