Is FMJ harder on a forcing cone than lead?

[Ohen Cepel]

I expect FMJ to be a bit harder on a forcing cone than lead. However, in a Freedom Arms in .45acp will it really cause problems in a normal man's use?

I usually have FMJ around and lead .45acp is a bit harder to find it seems.

Thanks for advice/input

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In a word, no.

E.C. ("Ed") Harris claims that lead bullets build up higher pressure than jacketed bullets because they obdurate better (seal the bore better.) I have proved to my own satisfaction that he is right.

Neither lead nor jacketed bullets are "harder" than the barrel steel, by a long chalk. But the sudden pressure impact can both crack and erode steel over time.

In a Freedom Arms .45 ACP, I think you have nothing to worry about, regardless of the bullets you use.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Vern,
Thanks for the reply! Wouldn't have thought that lead might be worse, but I can see his point.

I didn't think it would make a real difference. However, that' why I like this board. Good, informed info.

 

[P0832177]

The word is obturate, not obdurate!

 

[Jim March]

Oblasterate .

Seriously, a Freedom Arms won't care either way.

I'm not 100% sure which is doing more pressure. You can get more bullet speed for the same weight with unjacketed lead...that's why Remington gets the same speed out of a LSWC-HP 38+P 158gr as Speer gets with a 135JHP.

I'm also not convinced pressure is "everything" in this specific question.

Consider: we know that magnum 125gr JHPs at full-house pressure ate early K-Frame 357s. We know why: it was all about the "hit speed" at the forcing cone. Run 158gr at the same pressure, even jacketed, and you soften the hit right there at the beginning of the barrel because the round isn't going all that fast YET at that key weak point on a K.

OK, now back up and use 125gr lead slugs at 1,400fps. Better gas-check 'em of course or leading will be a monster, and as a defense load that just doesn't make sense (going too fast if soft lead, no expansion if hard) but set that aside and let's say somebody shot scads of such silly things.

Would the lead hit the forcing cone lighter than copper jackets would?

I suspect so but no proof. I suspect the lead would deform more on impact with the key K-Frame weak point and hence not deliver as much hit to said weak spot. BUT I'm not sure and since the load is just silly we'll probably never know.

Interesting to ponder though.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The word is obturate, not obdurate!

Aaaaargh! The dreaded spelling flame!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I dropped Freedom Arms a line also. I'm of the mind that it probably won't make a big difference. However, I'm interested to see what they have to say on the issue.

 

[JohnKSa]

Elmer Keith believed that jacketed was harder on a revolver than lead. I think that he's probably right--I also think that the practical difference is probably pretty much negligible.

Besides, wearing out a forcing cone is far from a death sentence for a quality revolver. It's not an easy home repair, but it's certainly well within the capabilities of the factory or a decent gunsmith.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Answer from Freedom Arms

(My question is below)

Yes that is correct.

But. You need to use good quality lead bullets to prevent leading. With Jacket bullets you need to follow the manufacturers recommendations for velocity. They can provide you with this data.

The faster the load and the softer the bullet is the greater the rate of wear.

Regard,

Corey



----- Original Message -----

From:

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 3:19 PM

Subject: Question about lead vs. jacketed bullets


Hello,

I have one of your .454 revolvers with the spare .45acp cylinder.

I was told that lead bullets will not wear the forcing cone as fast as jacketed bullets.

Can you tell me if this is true and if so is the wear rate significant?

Thanks in advance,