Noob to leading in 9mm

[editingfx]

OK, noob to lead here. Fairly new to handloading as well - just shot up my 1st 1k of plated, and with all the availability problems, decided to give some MBC lead a go. Got 125gr LRN, Brinell 18, .356 boolits. Using Accurate #5, 5.7 grains. (load calls for 5.4 - 6.0 from AA and 5.6 - 6.2 from Lee data. speeds right around 1000fps) OAL of 1.100. Shooting a M&P Pro 9mm, 5". Loaded 5.5, 5.7 and 6.2. Used 3 loads of 10 boolits each load. Very good accuracy at 5.7gr. Tried to chrono, but couldn't get the range's Chrony to play nice.

So after a good cleaning prior to shooting the lead, I inspected bore & all seemed factory-fresh. Just cleaned now, and found very light streaks of what I assume to be lead in mid to end bore. Both on grooves & rifling. Looks like long sort of broken-up streaks.

Question: assuming this is leading, and that it's near the muzzle end, it's probably from pushing the lead too fast when I used the higher-end load? (wish the chrono worked!) OR, is there always some leading associated with shooting lead boolits? That's really the info I'm after, I suppose.

My next test will be with a clean bore & the 5.7 load only.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[jcwit]

Bullet size and lube is also a big factor in leading. Also the softness or hardness makes a difference. The lead bullet must obliterate "seal" the bore and this helps to stop leading.

With all this said the 9mm has always given me trouble, and I reload and cast for 9 different handgun calibers.

 

[Eb1]

Now... How do we remove it? Hoppes does not work. At least not for me.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, going too fast or not enough/right lube. Back off a hair and see what happens. May just have to deal with it with that bullet.

You could try lubing them with Lee liquid Alox or Rooster jacket to supplement the factory lube. That will most likely stop any leading.

 

[jcwit]

Very easy to remove. Use some COPPER Chore Boy wrapped around an old bore brush, you don't need much, and a light pentrating oil such as Kroil, auto tranny fluid, even kerosene, or any of the expensive "GUN CLEANING" products. Just a few passes with this and you should be good to go.

 

[Eb1]

Thanks. I have had the same problem with my 9mm using lead bullets. They shoot great, but just hard to clean after a while.

I hope my post/question has helped the OP as well... Thank you.

 

[Matt Dillon]

The lead bullet must obliterate "seal" the bore and this helps to stop leading.

I believe the word is "obturate", not "obliterate"

 

[editingfx]

With all this said the 9mm has always given me trouble, and I reload and cast for 9 different handgun calibers.

Thanks jc! Yeah, that's the kind of feedback I was looking for, so that I wouldn't go tilting at windmills to resolve a problem that's next to impossible to fix.

After giving the Chore Boy "fix" a go, I'll see if it's worth the $40/1000 savings to shoot lead over plated. If it's "a couple quick passes down the bore & done", then OK, otherwise, back to plated for me & 9mm. (After I shoot up the 940 lead boolits left.)

 

[jcwit]

I believe the word is "obturate", not "obliterate"

Ya well I tried, at least most knew what I ment.

editingfx--You shouldn't have much problem removing the lead, not sure about 2 passes, but you won't have to sit there for 5 or 10 minutes scrubbing away. lol

BTW be sure you get the copper Chore Boy "use a magnet". Don't know why but brass bore brushes do not do the job like Chore Boy wrapped around a brush.

One other thing. Sometimes you have a barrel that just leads. I have a Smith & Wesson 22a that shoot just great, accurate and everything, but when I clean it lead comes out of the barrel in strips sometimes as long as 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Go figure????

 

[45ACPUSER]

Bullet size and lube is also a big factor in leading. Also the softness or hardness makes a difference. The lead bullet must obliterate "seal" the bore and this helps to stop leading.

Some one needs to learn what words meanhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/obliterate
vs.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/obturate

 

[lv2tinker]

9mm leading

editingfx:
Here is a link to another forum discussion on 9mm leading problems.
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=4069&forum_id=4
You'll find some good info and a couple of other links with some "great" info.
Shoud be helpfull.

Cheers....

 

[fecmech]

The "Nine" is not the most cast friendly round to load but it is not that hard really. As previous posters have mentioned use as large a bullet as will chamber( I used .358) with the "9's" I loaded for and medium range powders such as Herco, WSF, Longshot, Blue Dot, etc. The two best I've found for accuracy were Longshot followed closely by Blue Dot. In the 1100-1200 fps velocity range I have always gotten some very light streak leading but it never builds up.(one bullet leaves a light streak and the next takes that out and leaves one of its own and so on). As long as leading does not build up and accuracy is good it's not a problem IMO. The three 9's that I owned would all group in the 2-2.5" range at 25 yds with with cast wheel wt alloy bullets which is all the better they shot with jacketed.

 

[editingfx]

Thanks again, all!

I was telling my dad I can't imagine getting into something like this without the resource of forums. It's like having the best mentors in the country all in the same room.... just amazing.

 

[wally]

My best solution to leading in 9mm has been to switch to 147gr hard cast. These run at 1911 velocities (~900 fps) and shoot very cleanly in all my pistols.

--wally.