HARD CAST is not a gimmick

[627PCFan]

+1 on MBC. Im running 158grain 18bhn's @ 1450 FPS and I get little, little leading. Face it, your going to get some leading, and its unacceptable, go back to jacketed-

 

[LiveLife]

Jinzoningen80, this is THR.

Most posters here are genuinely interested in "objectively" solving reloading related problems and will often debunk "subjective" myths or inaccurate posting (believe me, I have been corrected quickly many times when I posted inaccurate information ). An example of this is the myth of powder breakdown when tumbling loaded rounds. I have read in several other gun forums the notion that tumbling loaded rounds will break the powder down and create detonation dangers.

Several THR posters took on the challenge and tumbled loaded rounds continuously for 24-72 hours and took close up photos. Well, the powder did not break down and put to rest this myth for good based on "objective" findings, at least here on THR.

I'm am merely using this open forum to relay MY specific experiences with MY specific guns using SEVERAL missouri bullets ... I tried 5 different types of their bullets. I've used them in 3 different guns ... I'm not trying to overexaggerate the discrepency here either - yes i HAVE gotten leading from other brands of bullets and yes i HAVE minimized leading with missouri but it was a lot harder to do and it is always present

As I've said, i have no quantitative measurements of hardness or anything else. I base my assumptions on my experiences.

Well, I heard assumptions are the mother of all mess-ups. I would estimate that various comments about Missouri Bullets posted on THR are based on hundreds of posters who have used quite a number of bullet/powder/charge combinations and fired them in hundreds of different firearms. Statistically, I think this is large enough sample size to "objectively" evaluate leading issue of 18/12 BHN MBC bullets.

In fact, leading with MBC bullets has been discussed in various threads to resolutions that produced minimal leading or eliminated leading. Variables that often causes leading were addressed (barrel size, bullet to bore fit, powder charge, etc. to include bullet hardness and alloy strength) depending on the particular firearms used.

I want to help the new reloader who might come here looking for guidance and find your site and try your bullets. He may invest in your product and spend a lot of time and money trying to get them to work and end up like me, with a lot of lead to clean. He may then get frustrated with lead bullets and give up.

Recommendations that reduce/eliminate leading are often posted based on actual experience with particular pistol/caliber/bullet weight/bullet profile/powder charge/OAL to help the reloaders requesting information.

guys i've come here to seek answers not bash missouri ... I now believe “hardness optimized” is the real gimmick.

No comment.

 

[LiveLife]

Here are some related articles on lead bullet hardness and leading:

A Few Comments on Cast Bullet Alloys By: Glen E. Fryxell

Cast bullet hardness, specifically the hardness of the various alloys used to make cast bullets, has raised a lot of questions and confusion lately. A very common misconception is that leading is caused by the bullet being too soft and the lead gets stripped off or abraded away from the bullet's bearing surface as it passes down the bore. This misguided belief leads many new bullet casters to turn to expensive alloys like linotype, and/or elaborate heat treating methods to harden their bullets, thinking that this is the only way to prevent leading.

There are very, very few revolver applications that require a BHN of over 20. In my experience, revolver leading can almost always be traced to some other factor (inadequate lubrication, improper sizing, barrel/frame constriction, etc.). Only very rarely is barrel leading caused by the bullet being too soft. In support of this claim, let me point out that many muzzle loaders prefer bullets cast from 30-to-1 alloy (which is quite soft, BHN of about 9) and these smokepole slugs are routinely driven to 1300-1400 fps. In addition, high-velocity .22 Long Rifle ammo uses an even softer bullet at over 1200 fps (and if a .22 leads, it's a gun problem, not an ammo problem). Elmer Keith's favorite cast bullet alloy was 16-to-1 lead/tin, which has a BHN of only 11. This is the alloy that gave a roaring birth to the .44 Magnum using plain-based cast bullets loaded to 1400+ fps. Properly loaded and lubed, Elmer's alloy will leave a magnum revolver barrel shiny and clean after a long day shooting.

Cast Bullet Alloys and Obturation - http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCBAlloyObturation.htm

LASC Cast Bullet Notes Page (lead bullet compositions and hardness testing) - http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

 

[Lead Head]

I have to say I have the same problem as Jinzoningen80 is having. I stumbled upon some 9 MM Missouri Bullets loading three different powders from max to under minimum loads and they all leaded up my barrel such as to spend a good hour cleaning it out. I have never in more than 40 years experienced leading like that.

 

[LiveLife]

loading three different powders from max to under minimum loads and they all leaded up my barrel

Lead Head, did you shoot the different powder/charge loads at the same time? What pistol, powders and charges were you using? This information may help us help you decrease the leading in your barrel.

When I initially tested MBC 9mm 125 gr SmallBall bullets last year, I got leading at near max load data in Glock 22/27 with Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrels with W231/HP38. When I decreased the powder charge, the leading decreased. Currently, I get minimal leading with mid-range load data.

 

[Lead Head]

I beat a path between my house and the range, there is no question it was the bullets that caused the leading problem. When I switched to my usual supplier the problem went away with any of the loads. Unfortunately I bought a gun I really shouldn't have at the time I bought it and a buddy helped me out lending me some bullets since at Christmas I was broke and that's how I got the problemed MB's.