Cast Bullets through a polygonal barrel

[r3dn3ck]

moving cast lead too fast accelerates leading. Keep velocities modest and enjoy. I shoot lead from my glock and hk usp 45's but clean with a bit of lead wipe away on a jag and a brush after every box. My cast loads are mild enough to barely cycle the actions.

[XDRoX]

Leading is caused by gas escaping by the bullet as it travels down the barrel. Loading too light can also cause leading because there may not be enough pressure to force the bullet to form to the barrel. If you're not getting leading with low velocities chances are you are using very soft bullets and maybe a quick powder.

Of course the best defense against leading is a proper bullet to barrel fit. Too small of a bullet and gas will escape no matter how much pressure you load to. Always best to slug your barrel first and then size accordingly.

I only shoot lead through my revolvers. I use properly sized bullets for my barrel.
If I'm shooting my mouse fart loads, 650fps, I use bullets of hardness 10.
My normal velocity loads of 1000fps, I use hardness 12.
With my magnum loads, over 1250fps, I use hardness 18.
Again, with proper sized bullets I don't get any leading at all.

[Bill Steele]

I shoot lead out of all my guns. When I first started shooting lead out of my Glock, I was so paranoid I checked after each shot, after a while each magazine, etc.

I am amazed when others state they get no leading at all. It is very rare for me to get zero leading. Even when shooting my 1911's where I have spent a fair amount of time working to get things dialed, after a long range session, I will usually have a little leading down near the chamber. The only bullets I have ever reliably got zero leading from were tumble lube style (moly) and I don't like those for other reasons.

I think if you decide to give lead a try in your stock H&K, I would just go slow and check very frequently. I also think, to some degree, leading can be kind of a downward spiral thing. So if you don't see any leading for a while, then start to see some, maybe revert to checking more frequently to verify it is not gaining momentum.

Good luck, have fun.

[problemchild]

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

Its a Jarvis "O" ring barrel and it shoots just as good as the HK if not better. Both will shoot one hole groups and I have terrible eyes for shooting pistols with the short site radius.

Jarvis barrel with O ring


HK barrel

HK barrel


Here is the Jarvis barrel see the O ring near the front end.


I also dropped an HK match trigger into my gun. Man is it sweet.

[r3dn3ck]

If you're not getting leading with low velocities chances are you are using very soft bullets and maybe a quick powder.

note to self. and yeah, both are true to different degrees. unique and unlubed moly coated moderately soft swc's. Don't remember the hardness but they weren't anywhere near "hard cast". I bought hard cast too at one point but short those all up with full power loads. Shocking to find out I was doing it right.

[Futurecollector]

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.

Do you check your hardness after every new pot of lead?
My only concern is say going from wheel weights to pure lead.

[XDRoX]

Do you check your hardness after every new pot of lead?
My only concern is say going from wheel weights to pure lead.

If I was going to shoot lead out of a Glock or HK, ya I'd check every batch. I'd really just have a recipe for the lead and always hold to it.

But to really answer your question I don't cast. I have and own the equipment, I just don't have the time. Right now all the lead I shoot I order from Missouri Bullet Company. They make awesome bullets and specify the hardness.

[Futurecollector]

If I was going to shoot lead out of a Glock or HK, ya I'd check every batch. I'd really just have a recipe for the lead and always hold to it.

But to really answer your question I don't cast. I have and own the equipment, I just don't have the time. Right now all the lead I shoot I order from Missouri Bullet Company. They make awesome bullets and specify the hardness.

Got it, My cast bullets are just so cheap I want to shoot them. But I will just be sticking with rifled barrels, it seems to be the smartest way to go, ya know?