Brass Quality; Barrel Fowling - 45 ACP

[RobW]

I have a large batch of once fired ARMSCOR .45 ACP brass for reloading (headstamp AP 03).

A "reloading-expert" told me to throw them away, the brass is "...too soft".

I thought brittle brass is a problem, not soft.

The same "expert" told me that I shouldn't use lead bullets because lead "...fouling is harder to remove than copper or brass (I reload to about 850fps).

Isn't copper and brass harder than lead?

What are your opinions?

 

[actionflies]

45 acp is a low pressure round so I load any brass that is loadable. Lead bullets does require more cleaning due to lube burning which gunk up your gun and you will get lead fouling in your barrel. The trick is to clean it often so it's not too bad. I don't shoot lead bullets anymore because of my recent event with elevated blood lead level (check my other post) and tired of cleaning my 1911's. Not a big deal if you only have one gun but I have 20+ guns and cleaning gets old after a while.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I think you need to find another "reloading expert". I've loaded thousands of rounds of Armscor brass in .45 acp and .38 Super, plus a few rounds of .38 and others. There is nothing wrong with the brass, but there is with the advice.......

As for lead bullets, bullseye shooters have been shooting lead bullets for more years than all of us have been alive. You just clean your guns. I've put about 10,000 rounds of lead bullets downrange in SASS shooting this year, and my wife has put almost that much. If there was really a problem with shooting lead bullets, I think I would have become aware of it over the last 45 years of shooting them.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ranger335v]

I'll just echo Fred's comment, you need a better "expert." Follow your own logic, you are doing ok by yourself.

 

[eflatminor]

Your expert is not I suspect. Could that particular type of brass not stand up to many reloadings vs other brands? Maybe, but that's no reason to throw it away. As far as lead fouling, your expert is just wrong. Lead is far easier to remove from the barrel than copper and requires no chemicals to do so. On the other hand, there is more cleaning required throughout the gun with lead vs copper but when you shoot as much .45 as I do (30k+ per year), there is no way I'm going to pay for copper jacketed bullets. Just clean the gun every 300 to 500 rounds and you're fine. BTW, bullets are never made of brass.

 

[The Bushmaster]

+1 for Fred...Besides I have around 500 cases of AP 98 brass in my inventory. Loads good and shoots great...Have you thought of getting another reloading expert?

 

[Walkalong]

Commonly available cast bullets for the .45 will normally not lead a .45ACP at all. It's one of the easiest calibers to load for. A great one to start with.

 

[evan price]

The only caveat I have is that you need to stick to typical velocities. 230 grains and 850 fps are the .45's sweet spot. Go over that and if you are using soft bullets you can get leading. The trick is to not use too hard or too soft of bullets for your load.

Your "expert" has probably never really loaded much lead himself.

 

[rcmodel]

Need to ask your "expert" what about the .22 LR?

It's a 1,200+ FPS lead bullet load, and they almost never ever lead at all!

rcmodel

 

[tkendrick]

Your "expert" needs to go back to a field he is qualified for.

I am sure he could find good employment in either the food service or housekeeping industry. I also think, at least locally, the carwashes are always hiring.

 

[TEDDY]

45acp

what horse trash:my load is 200 gr swc 3.6 gr of 700X or 3.6 of bullseye.I clean once a season.my long slide takes any thing.50 ft clover leaf.and will stay in X ring at 50 yrds.it not me,right now I dont know as 83 takes its toll.
I will find out as some as rain stops and it stays dry.-----