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g.willikers · September 15, 2010, 03:33 PM

Yes, that's true.
Light loads require a softer lead for the bullet to be able to seal the chamber well.
Gases that aren't sealed well can escape around the base of the bullet and melt lead onto the barrel.
A higher velocity reload will, indeed, improve the leading problem.
The Hodgdon web site loading data page for 9mm says the minimum amount of powder for the 115 LRN is 4.3 grains and the max is 4.8.
So, your load is way, way light.
(Or use jacketed bullets, or gas checks on the base of the lead bullets, if you want to stay with really light loads).

September 15, 2010, 03:33 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Yes, that's true. Light loads require a softer lead for the bullet to be able to seal the chamber well. Gases that aren't sealed well can escape around the base of the bullet and melt lead onto the barrel. A higher velocity reload will, indeed, improve the leading problem. The Hodgdon web site loading data page for 9mm says the minimum amount of powder for the 115 LRN is 4.3 grains and the max is 4.8. So, your load is way, way light. (Or use jacketed bullets, or gas checks on the base of the lead bullets, if you want to stay with really light loads). Last edited by g.willikers; September 15, 2010 at 03:42 PM.