Cast Bullets through a polygonal barrel

[iareConfusE]

I know you're not supposed to shoot hard cast lead bullets out of a polygonal rifled barrel, but I'm a bit curious about how bad it really is.

The gun in question is a H&K USP45. I've fired moly coated lead through this barrel without any kind of fouling from any of the bullets. If I were to start casting my own lead bullets without any sort of external coating that covers the entire bullet like moly (just the typical cast bullet lube), would I be looking at some pretty terrible leading, even with the relatively low velocity of the .45ACP round? I'd probably be casting 230gr slugs (200gr if I can find a round nose mold in this weight), and assume that I've already gone through the proper steps of slugging the bore/resizing the bullet to prevent any leading due to incorrect size.

[bohoki]

you could give it a shot

i changed barrels in both my glock21 and baby eagle 45 to user my home cast just for peace of mind


i use the same lead formulation for 9mm and 45 acp but i notice more glitter coming out of my 45 barrels when i am scrubbing

[iareConfusE]

you could give it a shot

i changed barrels in both my glock21 and baby eagle 45 to user my home cast just for peace of mind


i use the same lead formulation for 9mm and 45 acp but i notice more glitter coming out of my 45 barrels when i am scrubbing

Oh yeah I forgot I had the option of changing out my barrel too... Hmm, but that's an additional $100+ for an H&K barrel made by some aftermarket company. Anybody know who makes barrels for H&Ks with traditional rifling?

[wtkaiser]

I have an old Handloader Cast Bullet special edition dated 1992, and in it there's an article "Cast Bullets Through a Polygonal Bore". It sums the whole subject up with a unqualified yes vote. No mention of any problems. Gun used was an HK P9S.

[oso grande]

I have an old Handloader Cast Bullet special edition dated 1992, and in it there's an article "Cast Bullets Through a Polygonal Bore". It sums the whole subject up with a unqualified yes vote. No mention of any problems. Gun used was an HK P9S.

Sir, What month was that?
Thanks,

OG

[XDRoX]

Super easy and safe to shoot lead through a factory Glock or HK. Especially if your casting your own boolits.

Slug barrel and cast/size to a perfect fit and you're GTG. Add into the equation a quality lube and any powder that isn't uber fast and you're golden.

And just to put a cherry on top, you will also have control of your velocity. Super easy to avoid any leading whatsoever with a little patience and trial and error.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Futurecollector]

Super easy and safe to shoot lead through a factory Glock or HK. Especially if your casting your own boolits.

Slug barrel and cast/size to a perfect fit and you're GTG. Add into the equation a quality lube and any powder that isn't uber fast and you're golden.

And just to put a cherry on top, you will also have control of your velocity. Super easy to avoid any leading whatsoever with a little patience and trial and error.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

The only downside is not really being able to tell when the poly is getting filled up with fouling... to much of a chance of it going KABOOOM...

[iareConfusE]

Super easy and safe to shoot lead through a factory Glock or HK. Especially if your casting your own boolits.

Slug barrel and cast/size to a perfect fit and you're GTG. Add into the equation a quality lube and any powder that isn't uber fast and you're golden.

And just to put a cherry on top, you will also have control of your velocity. Super easy to avoid any leading whatsoever with a little patience and trial and error.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thanks, I'm still considering all the startup equipment and material costs, especially considering I don't even shoot often enough to warrant the activity of casting my own bullets, but it does look fun/productive.

The only downside is not really being able to tell when the poly is getting filled up with fouling... to much of a chance of it going KABOOOM...

This is what I've read plenty of times, but now I've got a couple of experienced reloaders also telling me that it's 100% safe to do so. I don't know which is true, or if I should just purchase an aftermarket traditionally rifled barrel just to be safe, regardless of it being safe..

[Futurecollector]

Thanks, I'm still considering all the startup equipment and material costs, especially considering I don't even shoot often enough to warrant the activity of casting my own bullets, but it does look fun/productive.



This is what I've read plenty of times, but now I've got a couple of experienced reloaders also telling me that it's 100% safe to do so. I don't know which is true, or if I should just purchase an aftermarket traditionally rifled barrel just to be safe, regardless of it being safe..

in regards to your first part, dew it! you cans tart casting for under $150 and make your money back in no time at all.

I was going to start shooting my own cast boolits in my G22 but have since decided against it, to me its just not worth the risk especially since with the poly barrels it is hard to see the rifling anyways. I have seen guys who just clean there barrels a little more often and have not had any problems. in the back of my mind I just ask my self if its worth saving 4-6 bucks a box on ammo?

[iareConfusE]

in regards to your first part, dew it! you cans tart casting for under $150 and make your money back in no time at all.

I was going to start shooting my own cast boolits in my G22 but have since decided against it, to me its just not worth the risk especially since with the poly barrels it is hard to see the rifling anyways. I have seen guys who just clean there barrels a little more often and have not had any problems. in the back of my mind I just ask my self if its worth saving 4-6 bucks a box on ammo?

Would it help if I told you I clean my guns after every range trip, barrel included? Even if I shoot under 200 rounds, I always like to scrub and clean the barrel to a mirror shine after I shoot. Would that cleaning diligence remove the possible threat of a lead build up?

[Futurecollector]

Would it help if I told you I clean my guns after every range trip, barrel included? Even if I shoot under 200 rounds, I always like to scrub and clean the barrel to a mirror shine after I shoot. Would that cleaning diligence remove the possible threat of a lead build up?

Don't take anything I say as gospel truth, i'm not specifically giving you advice, im not an expert etc. etc.

200 rounds, and thoroughly cleaning it, I doubt you would ever end up having a problem, especially if you keep the FPS on the low side. Although, with anything I would keep an eye on it, maybe the first time out run a patch through it after 50 rounds, and then again at 100 rounds and see how it looks.

My only concern would be if you got a hold of pure lead without any tin in it. I have no clue how it would react with a super soft bullet.

[problemchild]

I have the hk45 and bought a rifled barrel for 100 and use that for cast or lead bullets. Solves the problem and doesnt break the bank.

[iareConfusE]

I have the hk45 and bought a rifled barrel for 100 and use that for cast or lead bullets. Solves the problem and doesnt break the bank.

What manufacturer did you get the barrel from? I only know of EFK, and their barrels are $150+

[Dark Mod]

I must say im looking forward to seeing your results if you end up just going for it.

[XDRoX]

The only downside is not really being able to tell when the poly is getting filled up with fouling... to much of a chance of it going KABOOOM...

A certain load is either going to lead or it's not. It's not like sometimes it will and sometimes it won't. Develop a load that doesn't lead and it's safe to shoot, simple as that. Do you need to check for leading while developing the load, of course.