Lead for PP Bullets

[ian45662]

Here are some 14:1 money bullets we shot into the pool a few days ago. I was a little surprised to see how much they are bumping up

ian,
i am not surprised.
i happily shoot 12: 1 for target shooting by choice.
if those bullets were mine i would use a longer patch, as there is exposed alloy with rifling marks on it.
potential leading.
as a rule of thumb, study the confetti to see if the patch is too long, and study the bullet to see if it is too short.
i have found that bullets breech seated with an airgap do not need the length of patch that fixed ammo with the bullet on a wad does.
some guys like kenny w short patch successfully, but they use sophisticated wad stacks that may well reduce setback a little.
i just use a single wad, usually 0.060, of veg or ldpe, which ever shoots best.
bruce.

Based on this test I did make them longer. This was the first time I had fired this particular bullet into the swimming pool and had no idea what to expect. This one bumps up more than the elliptical bullet that I use but I was basically patching these to the same length of the elliptical. If you zoom in and take a look at the bullet on the left you can see we drew a line where I think I might want the patches to end. I used these bullets at a shoot a couple weeks ago and I was having terrible fouling issues. I suspect this is why. I shot them last weekend with the longer patch and had no issues with fouling and accuracy was much better. I have a match coming up next week so I’ll know for sure after that

[Kurt]

When you get into the harder alloys for the PP bullets some factors come into play, like the patched diameter of the bullet and the wad composition. Soft felt and cork wads dampen the obturation. Antimony in the alloy even a small percentage will hold setback. I personally like antimony in my alloy but using it is not a guess when mixing it for a particular caliber or bullet profile.
These .40-65 caliber bullets below are at the limit of hardness for the diameter I had them patched and the wad material I used for these. The dimples are where the shank meets the ogive and that is where I hold the patch. They did not get much engraving with the lands but they are perfect holding the gas back and still getting full rotation and getting less drag. It might even reduce spin drift ?????
By the way they are not a DDPP bullet, they look like one the way they got hit by the wad when the powder got lit. The setback was less than .002"

IMG_3176.jpeg

[SSShooter]

Am just starting the the PP journey (waiting on a PP mold to arrive) and find the "book" useful, but also learn a great deal from these threads based on actual experience. Appreciate same, so keep the info coming. Much appreciated.

[Don McDowell]

On the long verses short patch thing, It's not unusual for bullets with a short patch to shoot 2-4 minutes less elevation at 1000 yards than a longer patch.
The recovered bullets I have, that have been picked up from behind the target at 1000 yards , don't show any more engraving on the nose than do bore riding grease grooves.

[BFD]

On the long verses short patch thing, It's not unusual for bullets with a short patch to shoot 2-4 minutes less elevation at 1000 yards than a longer patch.

That has not been my experience.

[Don McDowell]

Well Brent, that's what makes a horse race I suppose. I can shoot 1000 yards about any day I choose to,a quarter of a mile from my house and have tested many loads on the same day in the same basic conditions. So I can speak to what my rifles have shown, your mileage can and may vary..

[BFD]

Well, you ought to be a world champ then.

[Don McDowell]

Yeh well there's a ton of folks that ought to be but ain't... So I guess I'm in pretty good company

[desert deuce]

We are all in better company when Donnie Ray Rockslinger shows up at a match.

[SSShooter]

Does anyone bother with a grease cookie these days?
7:1 water-to-oil to wipe with and a diaper that keeps the lead off the bore good enough?

[johnl]

I use pure lead, however my range is only 300 yards

[mdeland]

I had a blessing come my way yesterday. A fella I put glass in for at North Star Cranes, down at the dock yard, asked me if I knew any one he could give 400 lbs of soft lead to for bullet making. I told him I did so will pick it up Monday AM. Wonder if it's a bunch of crap or good clean pure lead but the price is sure right!

[bobw]

Can't beat that with a stick mdeland, free lead is the best kind. Alloyed with tin and it is still way cheaper than certified foundry lead at $3.00 lb.. bobw

[beltfed]

Yes, Free lead is the best kind
Several months ago an acquaintance gave me 3 full 5 gal pails of Clip onWheel Wts
I think I am set for life now for my 9+1 COWW/Lino alloy.
BTW,
It does work. Worked yesterday at our gong match with my 'newer" 38-50. With my 371360 gr DDEPP bullet over 66 gr Swiss 3F.
Zeroed at 220yds, then went to 600. about 45 min up. A couple more shots, Centered on a gong,
then went for the "special target" - a bowling pin hung on a shepherd's hook.
One shot one splintered kill thru the mid belly of the bowling pin.
Then Jim K tried my rifle and also drilled the bowling pin.
The 9+1ww/lino alloy is not traditional, but it sure works. and No leading.
beltfed/arnie

[beltfed]

OH, 7 of 10 shooters at the gong match shot PP bullets. the two winners shot PP.
beltfed/arnie