The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Slugging Barrels for Lead Boolits Really Necessary?

Edward429451 · August 24, 2012, 10:20 AM

We all know that boolit fit to barrel is king if one wants to reduce or eliminate leading in their gun and enjoy the benefits of cast. No question on that. So go slug that barrel and see what you have, then oversize .001 or .002 and you're there.

Slugging a barrel sounds like a pain in the butt. I admit to never having done it though. I have cheated and skipped the slugging and simply went to a larger size from nominal jacketed size. This has worked for me, but am I wrong for doing so? If so why?

I think that newbs getting into cast lead loading may be discouraged somewhat by the advice to slug the barrel. Why not just suggest going .002 over nominal, and begin with a start load, working up the load in your gun?

This seems to me to be a perfectly safe alternative to slugging as long as they really begin with a start load and do not reduce a max load by whatever to start. Increasing diameter will increase pressure so beginning with a start load would be the critical element, yes?

I'm ready to learn if I am wrong. What say ye?

August 24, 2012, 10:20 AM	#1
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Slugging Barrels for Lead Boolits Really Necessary? We all know that boolit fit to barrel is king if one wants to reduce or eliminate leading in their gun and enjoy the benefits of cast. No question on that. So go slug that barrel and see what you have, then oversize .001 or .002 and you're there. Slugging a barrel sounds like a pain in the butt. I admit to never having done it though. I have cheated and skipped the slugging and simply went to a larger size from nominal jacketed size. This has worked for me, but am I wrong for doing so? If so why? I think that newbs getting into cast lead loading may be discouraged somewhat by the advice to slug the barrel. Why not just suggest going .002 over nominal, and begin with a start load, working up the load in your gun? This seems to me to be a perfectly safe alternative to slugging as long as they really begin with a start load and do not reduce a max load by whatever to start. Increasing diameter will increase pressure so beginning with a start load would be the critical element, yes? I'm ready to learn if I am wrong. What say ye?