bullet materials ?

[moooose102]

i have been doing a little reading on bullets, the book mentioned this, but did not get very elaborate. what the heck is "guilding metal" and how does it differ from copper? also, of all the bullet materials, which fouls the rifle, or hangun barrel the least? thanks,d.s.

 

[GunTech]

Traditionally, gilding metal is 95% copper and 5% zinc.

 

[rcmodel]

Plain lead grease lubricated bullets at low velocity foul a barrel the least.
And they also provide the least wear from friction.

Todays gliding metal, or similar slightly modified alloys used by bullet manufactures in America and most of the NATO countries is perhaps as good as it gets with todays technology.

Many of the Com-Block countries still use steel jacketed bullets for economic & home-grown copper supply reasons. That works, but is rougher on barrels then gliding metal.


rcmodel

 

[moooose102]

GREASE lubricated??? i dont think i have ever heard of that? sounds quite messy to me, i know grease is an excellent lubricant, but i cant help think it would make a mess of a semi-automatic firearm!

 

[esheato]

Hornady does a criss-cross knurling pattern on their lead pistol bullets. It holds wax (lubricant any way you look at it) to increase lubricity and therefor reduce leading.

Per their website:

Special Knurling and Grease Ring
The knurling system holds an even distribution of lubricating wax over the bearing surface of the Cowboy bullet. The grease ring catches wax as the bullet travels through the barrel. The result is less leading.

Lastly, it's GILDING metal...not guilding or gliding.

Ed