Lead fouling question

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Sin City Shootist

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Ok guy's, I know this has been asked before because I've read it here but I can't find it again to save my life.

I'm getting very light leading near the breach and no leading at all at the muzzle. What do I need to do to tweak my loads? Powder is clay's and the bullets are Missouri hardness 18.
 
Bullets are too hard for the pressure and/or are undersized. For light target loads with Clays the 18 BHN are too hard unless they are .001 to .002 over bore diameter. Even then they have to get out of the chamber/throat area without gas cutting. The 12 BHN should do well with that same load.
 
I guess I'll try lighter loads because its almost nonexistent. Thanks Walkalong.
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I think what Walkalong meant was to get a softer bullet, not a lighter load.

Soft bullet= slower
Hard bullet= faster

There are a bunch of other things to consider though. YMMV.
 
+1 to Walkalong - if you don't want to increase the charge, use the softer 12 BHN to better "bump" the base to seal better against the rifling and minimize lead fouling near the chamber end from gas cutting.

I would recommend a different powder, but what caliber/bullet weight are you shooting?
 
I would recommend a different powder, but what caliber/bullet weight are you shooting?
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What would you recommend? I'm having the same problem using both Unique and Clays. Bumble Bee (hardness unknown but they seem pretty hard to my thumbnail) 240 gr. SWC BB. The last batch was using 10gr. Unique. What a mess.
 
+1 to Walkalong - if you don't want to increase the charge, use the softer 12 BHN to better "bump" the base to seal better against the rifling and minimize lead fouling near the chamber end from gas cutting.

I would recommend a different powder, but what caliber/bullet weight are you shooting?
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That makes sense. I was reading the info at Missouri and he was saying more pressure. I have some room for an increase in pressure. I'm no where near max.

Two seperate rounds. 1, 200 grn .45 acp and 2, 180grn .40 S&W
 
For what you are describing, I'd either bump up the charge or go to a faster powder. Of course, you could just get the softer bullets.
 
I have some room for an increase in pressure. I'm no where near max.

Two seperate rounds. 200 grn .45 acp and 180grn .40 S&W
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Try working up the load to mid range and see if the leading decreases. If leading decreases, you are on the right track.
What would you recommend? I'm having the same problem using both Unique and Clays. Bumble Bee (hardness unknown but they seem pretty hard to my thumbnail) 240 gr. SWC BB. The last batch was using 10gr. Unique. What a mess.
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Missouri Bullet 18 BHN:
200 gr SWC 45ACP bullets - about 5.0 gr of W231/HP38 produces no leading in stainless 3"-5" Kimber barrels (None). I get minimal leading in stainless Taurus Mil Pro PT145 at chamber end (leading readily taken out with 15 minute WD40 soak and copper scrubber on bore rod). I will pick up my new M&P45 in 2 weeks so I will report back on leading using the same load.

180 gr TCFP 40S&W - 4.3-4.5 gr of W231/HP38 produces minimal leading in G22/G27 with Lone Wolf barrels and M&P40 with factory barrel.

125 gr RN 9mm - 3.8-4.0 gr of W231/HP38 produces minimal leading in G22/G27 with Lone Wolf barrels.

Note: Kimber and Lone Wolf barrels used were all stainless barrels with polished rifling from the factory. I have noted more leading in other factory semi-auto barrels (M&P40/Taurus PT145) that have less "polished" rifling finish, but leading is readily taken out with 15 minute WD40 soak and copper scrubber on bore rod.

Disclaimer: Above results were from specified factory/after-market barrels I used. Results from your pistols/barrels using different OALs may vary (especially shorter than typical OAL).

Of course, you could just get the softer bullets.
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I have shot 24 BHN bullets that a local bullet caster made for the past decade. He's retired and when my supply ran low, I tried MBC bullets and I am getting less leading with 18 BHN bullets. I haven't tried 12 BHN bullets, but I am quite happy with 18 BHN bullet results.
 
Looks as if I need to rethink my problem. The 45 had no noticeable lead at all and the 40 had a ton. As I was cleaning the lead out, under some pretty bright light I noticed crap in the barrel that just didn't want to come out. It was copper fouling. I believe this is the reason the lead is fouling so bad. It was simply scraping the lead as it went by the copper. Looks like I need to pickup some Sweet's.
 
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