Excessive/premature wear: copper solid on rifling

[desrt2]

If we eventually move to copper solid projectiles, will it cause excessive or premature wear on the bore and rifling of a barrel?

Not having a jacket, would it be as malleable?

The copper jacket presses into a lead core to some small degree... I think.
Solid copper wouldn't have anywhere to go except lengthening.

I have no knowledge of metallurgy. I flunked Alchemy in college...

[as_rocketman]

No. Copper is an excellent "self-lubricating" metal.

Having said that, it is usually alloyed slightly to reduce fouling. Copper doesn't foul as quickly as lead (higher melting point and less reactive), but it eventually will, and takes some effort to clean.

I've been shooting Barnes solid copper hunting bullets in .270 for decades -- one of my rifles particularly likes them. No problems. Apart from higher cost, that is, and the fact that copper projectiles of the same weight tend to be a bit longer than their traditional equivalents.

[desrt2]

I didn't think about the length of the projectile making up for the weight. That's a big relief. The only downside is if it causes feeding problems in magazines.
Can you seat the bullet deeper in the case? Does it require additional powder?

[toby]

Just don't use the crap.

[as_rocketman]

I didn't think about the length of the projectile making up for the weight. That's a big relief. The only downside is if it causes feeding problems in magazines.
Can you seat the bullet deeper in the case? Does it require additional powder?

Depends on the caliber. Some projectiles are already pushing COAL (Cartridge Overall Length) issues -- in something like .300 Blackout, for instance, copper only would limit you to relatively light loads. But for more flexible calibers like 5.56x45 (or my .270 Win example) it's really a non-issue.

There's no magazine feeding issue. Externally the catridge dimensions will be practically identical. All that changes from a form-factor perspective is seating depth.

Barnes has long offered copper solids in many calibers, including 9mm Parabellum defensive loads. I also have a stock of Cor-Bon copper solid hunting ammunition in .30-'06 (168 grain), and Federal is now offering similar ammunition. Originally this was intended for heavy game where core bonding is an issue -- no core, no core bonding problem! -- but in this modern age of condor sanctuaries and EPA regulations, they've found wider applications.

Except, again, they are pretty expensive. I've never seen copper solid "plinking ammo" and probably won't. But the ones I've shot have performed very, very well apart from price.

[Vlad 11]

Bi metal jacketed ammo is very commonly used. Wolf - tulaamo - various surplus ammo etc

This is steel on steel. While there is no doubt some more wear it is hardly excessive.

I wouldnt worry about copper jackets, the only thing that will prematurely wear out from these is your bank account

[Divernhunter]

If you use barnes bullets be sure to use barnes data. It is different than lead core bullets.
Hornady GMX is made with a copper alloy and can be loaded with the same data as the lead core bullets.
Nosler E-tip is much like the old barnes without the grooves in them for a place to allow the material to flow into. They also are a harder copper alloy. Nosler says to only use the mid range load used for their partition bullets. I like Nosler bullets but they need to step it up and do a better job with this bullet.
The all copper bullets act like a lead core bullet 30% heavier. So you can(should sometimes) reduce the weight of the bullet used.
Speed is the friend of the copper bullets. The faster you push them the better they work(expand).
The TTSX bullets open faster and more consistantly than the TSX bullets.
The people I have spoke with that have had problems with barnes bullet performance have had 2 conditions all most all the time. 1)too heavy a bullet for the cartridge/game and 2) had the bullet moving too slow.

We have taken deer/hogs and pronghorn with the barnes TTSX bullets with excellent performance.

[ja308]

Premature wear is most common with extremely high velocity loads .

The varmint guys are said to burn barrels fast !

[FLIGHT762]

Bi metal jacketed ammo is very commonly used. Wolf - tulaamo - various surplus ammo etc

This is steel on steel. While there is no doubt some more wear it is hardly excessive.

I wouldnt worry about copper jackets, the only thing that will prematurely wear out from these is your bank account

Very good article from earlier this year on the Bi Metal bullet subject:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/

[smle-man]

Copper is soft. The French made ball rounds out of solid brass so I doubt copper is a worry. The only problem with solid copper rounds will be the price. We won't be able to afford to shoot any! Copper is a hot item in today's electronic society. Something else than solid copper will be needed for mass production projectiles.