switching from lead to copper

[Hunt]

Anyone know if there are accuracy problems from a rifle that has been shooting copper jacketed lead bullets then later switches to solid copper bullets. Does something change in the rifling? I have a low round count on my Tikka T3 I also have a bunch of Amax bullets I want to use up but am concerned this may affect the accuracy at a later date when the lead ban is finalized.

[NapalmCheese]

Jacketed lead bullets are jacketed in gilding metal.

Copper bullets (barnes) are solid copper, which is similar to gilding metal. It's like a copper bullet with a copper jacket.

Gliding metal bullets (GMX) are solid gilding metal, the same stuff on the outside of your jacketed lead bullets.

It stands to reason that you won't have any issues, though some have found that they get more copper fouling with the barnes bullets, or at least they used to.

[M1NM]

Jacketed lead bullets are jacketed in gilding metal..

Jacketed bullets are formed from copper punched and extruded from copper sheet. Plated bullets have a wash of whatever gilding metal they want to use - usually copper and only a couple thousandths thick.

[LynnJr]

When you make the switch if your accuracy is way off try jumping the solid bullets 0.050- 0.070 more than your copper/lead bullets.

[NapalmCheese]

Jacketed bullets are formed from copper punched and extruded from copper sheet. Plated bullets have a wash of whatever gilding metal they want to use - usually copper and only a couple thousandths thick.

It would seem Sierra (at least) uses gilding metal.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/products/bullet-jackets/index.cfm

[as_rocketman]

The only potential issue is that solid copper / gilding metal bullets may be longer for the same bullet weight, simply because copper is less dense than lead. A longer bullet may require tighter rifling. So it is possible that your rifle may not be accurate with lead-free bullets if you choose the wrong ones.

Properly sized copper solid bullets will not damage your rifling in any way. About the worst thing that could happen is faster copper fouling, but even that can be cleaned out, nor is it unique to copper solid bullets. Shoot with confidence.

[Divernhunter]

Just clean the rifle real good using a copper solvent(read NOT Hoppies #9) before switching back and forth.
The jackets on Swift bullets are copper. Nosler/sierra/speer/hornady/win/fed/rem etc are not a pure copper. They are guilding metal. Hornady GMX and Nosler E-Tip(solid expanding) are guilding metal also
Barnes are copper only.
When using the Barnes type(also GMX and E-Tip) select a bullet weight less than the lead core bullets you are using and drive them as fast as you can(safely) for best performance.

[ar15barrels]

I am using Hornady GMX with excellent accuracy results in my 18" barreled Remington 788.

[Whiterabbit]

Anyone know if there are accuracy problems from a rifle that has been shooting copper jacketed lead bullets then later switches to solid copper bullets. Does something change in the rifling? .

no.

[GSF44Mag]

I am using Hornady GMX with excellent accuracy results in my 18" barreled Remington 788.

I would like to know of this load recipe. Barnes lied and sold us down the river, I try not to buy any of their products. I do have some 80GMX and have found a few so-so loads in 6mm. Please share your experiences. Barnes screwed us.! I have also tried their bullets in .22 cal. OK, but nothing near the accuracy of lead, and this is in a 1/8 twist. They helped to pass the lead ban. Please tell your friends. In my 243 I have achieved about 1 1/2" accuracy with the 80 GMX. The 18" barrel really makes me wonder. Can you post pics of the target you shot? And what twist is the barrel?

[toby]

Why fix what aint broke?

[Hunt]

thanks for the replies, I think the reports I hear about loss of accuracy is coming from a rifling twist issue as the copper bullets will be longer for the same weight. I do have the tighter rifling in 7-08 for heavier bullets thanks to Tikka's foresight.

[ar15barrels]

I would like to know of this load recipe. Barnes lied and sold us down the river, I try not to buy any of their products. I do have some 80GMX and have found a few so-so loads in 6mm. Please share your experiences. Barnes screwed us.! I have also tried their bullets in .22 cal. OK, but nothing near the accuracy of lead, and this is in a 1/8 twist. They helped to pass the lead ban. Please tell your friends. In my 243 I have achieved about 1 1/2" accuracy with the 80 GMX. The 18" barrel really makes me wonder. Can you post pics of the target you shot? And what twist is the barrel?

I'm shooting the 165gmx over varget in a 308.
I don't recall the load.
It's written on the label on the ammo box though.

[dskit]

Jacketed bullets are formed from copper punched and extruded from copper sheet. Plated bullets have a wash of whatever gilding metal they want to use - usually copper and only a couple thousandths thick.

I've never seen a plated rifle bullet...nor 100% copper bullet jackets. I'm curious as to who makes them.

[mif_slim]

Why fix what aint broke?

Im thinking maybe he hunts hence the name "hunt". And in 2019 we got to phase out all lead bullets. But thats my assumption.