Why cant I shoot lead bullets through polygonal barrel?

[000Buck]

I have a 357 Desert Eagle and have read not to shoot hardcast bullets through it. I have also read this on Glocks. They both have polygonal rifling, why is it not good for lead bullets?

 

[rcmodel]

Because soft lead bullets will strip out in the lack of real land & groove rifling and cause leading.
Truly "hard-cast" bullets should & do work fine in Glocks.

In the case of the Desert Eagle though, it is because you may get lead fouling in the gas system that is very difficult to clean out.


rcmodel

 

[Rembrandt]

Regarding lead through Desert Eagles....it's not due to polygonal rifleing, shooting lead or full-metal jacket with an open lead base will not only foul the recoil spring assembly crosspiece and the rods, but it will also carbon and lead-foul the piston and solder it to the barrel.

 

[lordgroom]

Would the same be true, i.e. fouling in the gas system, if using a gas check?

 

[rcmodel]

Probably.

You are going to get a certain amount of lead shaved off of the driving bands when they run over the gas port in the barrel.

You are also going to get a lot of carbon & crud from the bullet lube.


rcmodel

 

[000Buck]

In the case of the Desert Eagle though, it is because you may get lead fouling in the gas system that is very difficult to clean out.

Great point, I will look into some Berrys plated and see if I can save some money there. Thanks

 

[drannor]

I'd be careful using Berry's bullets for hot magnum loads. They don't recommend pushing them very hard, and you mentioned maxing out loads in your other posts. I don't know the minimum velocity needed to cycle a .357 DE but I imagine it borders on the limits Berrys outlines. (I've shot 1000's of Berry's plated bullets in .45, .44, and .357 but at below 1100fps.)

I'm using Sierra FMJ flat points in my .44 DE with Accurate Arms #7. Accurate has specific .44 loads for the Desert Eagle listed on their site, unfortunately they don't seem to have the same thing for .357....

From Berry's site:

*How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets?
Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads.

*How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I've had good luck with Precision Bullets in my USPc. They're hardcast and coated in some sort of nylon shell. I've shot about 700 moderate handloads from my USPc and have yet to see any excessive buildup that didn't get brushed out while cleaning.

I would not run with softer cast bullets that are intended for a .45LC cowboy revolver.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I've had good luck with Precision Bullets in my USPc. They're hardcast and coated in some sort of nylon shell. I've shot about 700 moderate handloads from my USPc and have yet to see any excessive buildup that didn't get brushed out while cleaning.

I would not run with softer cast bullets that are intended for a .45LC cowboy revolver.

 

[APIT50]

don't know about the DE but with glocks its because the transition from the front of the chamber where the round headspaces to the 'lands" is more severe than most and you can get a lot of leading and pressure problems.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't tell my Glock 23 that!

It's had lead shot in it for 11 years or so now.

If there is a problem, I think it is due to leading & fouling building up in the front of the chamber, which holds the slide out of battery slightly.

And Glocks have a propensity for firing slightly out of battery quite unlike other guns.

rcmodel

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If there is a problem, I think it is due to leading & fouling building up in the front of the chamber, which holds the slide out of battery slightly.

And Glocks have a propensity for firing slightly out of battery quite unlike other guns.

You put your finger on it -- if you use lead in Glocks, clean throughly and often. And in long shooting sessions, check the area at the chamber throat carefully.

Polygonal barrels are very sensitive to lead hardness. Too soft and they lead up (and you get the out-of-battery condition.) Too hard, and the bullet won't upset to fill the bore, gas squirts by in the "corners" and you get gas cutting, lead build-up and out of battery condition.

 

[trickyasafox]

I'm not familiar with D. Eagles- but

shooting cast in glocks is just like shooting cast in a lot of other firearms. Each firearm will like a specific hardness, sizing, and powder for the best accuracy. Vern is totally spot on with frequent cleanings. I go 250-300 rounds comfortably with a dreaded glock 23 shooting eveeeeel lead.