[twoclones]

I'm handloading cast bullets and need to learn how to identify barrel leading. What should I expect to see if my barrel is leading?

[Fumbler]

There is a separate forum for handloading. If you post future handloading questions there then you'll get more responses.

As far as leading goes, often it looks like white or light grey streaks in the barrel. If the leading is bad enough you can actually see the texture difference between the lead and steel and you can sometimes scrape the lead off the barrel (like if you shot rifled slugs in a shotgun).

It's easiest to see if you use a flashlight and look at it in different angles. I have a fiber optic cord that attaches to the end of a mini maglite that is helpful when looking down barrels.
If the leading is near the muzzle (or forcing cones on revolvers) then sometimes you can see it well simply by looking at the bore from the side.

Good luck in your handloading. :)

[GP100man]

if lead is at forcing cone the boolit was too small & then swaged to fit the barrel with pressure.
at the muzzle your lube is giving out or up .
all the way the alloy is too weak for the load & the lands are stripping lead off trying to spin the boolit .
all the time hot gases are spewing by any little crack they can & it`ll look smeared.
easily removed by soaking with favorite solvent & wrappin copper choreboy pot scrubbers around an old brush & a few passes lead be gone .
i don`t even use my lewis lead remover any more!!!
wanted to add since ive succomed to the silver stream i`ve purchased a hardness tester & it helps in determining how much pressure i can put under a boolit. ,hince saving alot of scrubbin !!!!
go here for a wealth of info & some topshelf fellers to talk to www.castboolits.gunloads.com/


GP100man

[243winxb]

Real leading will give very poor accuracy on the target, if you can hit the target at all.

[Iron Sight]

Doesnt seem to matter how I load. If I shoot lead in my handguns...There will be traces of it observed in the barrel. I use a Lewis lead remover.

[jcwit]

Iron Sight are you loading on the heavy side? I understand pressure will cause leading. What cal. are you loading for?

Only cal. I have trouble with leading is 9mm. No trouble at all with 38's or 45's.