The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

AlaskaMike · April 17, 2012, 02:36 PM

High velocity isn't the problem. Plain based cast bullets are routinely pushed to 1400+ fps without leading. You can actually cause leading by driving a hard bullet too slowly--what happens is that the pressure isn't sufficient to cause the bullet to "slug up" and seal the bore. Most commercial cast bullets are actually much harder than necessary, but that's because the manufacturer wants the bullets to reach the customer intact and not all beat up and deformed from the gentle, loving hands of shippers like UPS/Fedex.

I'd suspect you might just need to work up to a higher pressure load to eliminate or minimize your leading, but you really should measure the bullets and your barrel as the other guys suggest.

April 17, 2012, 02:36 PM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	High velocity isn't the problem. Plain based cast bullets are routinely pushed to 1400+ fps without leading. You can actually cause leading by driving a hard bullet too slowly--what happens is that the pressure isn't sufficient to cause the bullet to "slug up" and seal the bore. Most commercial cast bullets are actually much harder than necessary, but that's because the manufacturer wants the bullets to reach the customer intact and not all beat up and deformed from the gentle, loving hands of shippers like UPS/Fedex. I'd suspect you might just need to work up to a higher pressure load to eliminate or minimize your leading, but you really should measure the bullets and your barrel as the other guys suggest. Last edited by AlaskaMike; April 17, 2012 at 02:43 PM.