Polygonal rifling and reload's!

[brooTool]

I want to reload .45 acp for my HK45, I heard reloads are bad for polygonal rifling barrels. Does this only relate to lead bullets or is copper jacketed reloads bad for polygonal rifling. Also, can't I just clean the barrel every time I fire reloads? Why is it actually bad to shoot reloads through polygonal rifling.

[Varg Vikernes]

Pretty sure it was lead because of fouling that can make pressures pretty high

[Peter.Steele]

Pretty sure it was lead because of fouling that can make pressures pretty high

That's my understanding as well.

Jacketed rounds are just fine, the way I understand it.

[brooTool]

so can't I just clean my barrel very well after I shoot? which I clean my firearms after every time I shoot anyways?

[devster55]

Just use plated or jacketed bullets and don't worry about it. The price is not that much different between lead and plated

[brooTool]

i just wanted to make my own bullets too LOL no biggie though, thanks

[hermosabeach]

A friend shoots lead from his Glock 22. Getting the lead out of the barrel is his solution.


The latest trend is to powder coat bullets.
You can then load them to 2,600 fps without leading


Or buy an aftermarket barrel for your reloads.

(If they exist for your platform)

[brooTool]

meh, too much hassle and not worth the money.

[kengotit]

I've shot plenty of SWC lead bullet on my g23 with no problem
but then again i load light side, i just clean every the barrel often

[9mmepiphany]

You're fine shooting reloads in a polygonal barrel...especially an H&K one. You're likely even ok with most lead reloads, but I wouldn't make a blanket statement about them since there is a lot of variance between the hardness of lead bullets.

What you do need to do is clean your barrel well after each session.

Most of what you'll hear about polygonal barrels and lead not getting along come from folks shooting lead in Glocks. Glocks barrels aren't polygonal like H&K barrels, they are more of a hybird rifling and tend to foul more.

The reason you shouldn't shoot lead reloads in a H&K P-7's has more to do with fouling the gas port than the polygonal rifling

[brooTool]

You're fine shooting reloads in a polygonal barrel...especially an H&K one. You're likely even ok with most lead reloads, but I wouldn't make a blanket statement about them since there is a lot of variance between the hardness of lead bullets.

What you do need to do is clean your barrel well after each session.

Most of what you'll hear about polygonal barrels and lead not getting along come from folks shooting lead in Glocks. Glocks barrels aren't polygonal like H&K barrels, they are more of a hybird rifling and tend to foul more.

The reason you shouldn't shoot lead reloads in a H&K P-7's has more to do with fouling the gas port than the polygonal rifling

thanks exactly what I wanted to hear !

[CK_32]

Pretty sure it was lead because of fouling that can make pressures pretty high

This, due to the facto poly rifling already has higher pressures and speeds due to the design and contact with the bullet, fill that already tight space with fouling and your just adding to the already increased FPS/PSI.


It's not that it can't be done but do so at your own risk and know if something does to south, that have already CYA and it's all on you.

[Carcassonne]

so can't I just clean my barrel very well after I shoot? which I clean my firearms after every time I shoot anyways?

I shoot cardcast lead bullets out of my Glock (semi-polygonal) and Steyr GB (true polygonal), and have no problems with leading. I run a brush and patch down the barrel every 50 to 100 rounds just to be on the safe side. I have not noticed any major leading on the patch. True polygonal barrels are very easy to clean.

[Bill Steele]

I shoot lead reloads out of all my Glocks, pretty much exclusively.

I have only seen one instance where my Glock barrel leaded any more than a similar traditional rifling. It was with some nuclear 45 Super loads. I was shooting MBC 225gr LTC out of my G21SF and 1911. The G21SF started to have really bad accuracy. When I checked the barrel the leading was really bad. Those same loads out of my 1911 barrel had only light leading. Otherwise, many tens of thousands of lead rounds with no ill effects in 9mm, 40S&W, 10mm, 45 ACP, 45 Super.

I do load coated lead bullets these days (SNS Casting and Bayou Bullets). No leading ever, but the carbon from the burned paint still needs to be cleaned. Solvent and a bore brush is all that is required.

If you are just starting out in reloading, I recommend just buying Xtreme plated bullets. There are a few complexities when loading lead with some guns that are reduced when loading plated bullets (i.e. plated will be a little more forgiving to load in some guns and chambers).

Good luck.