i've been casting some 225gr. round nose bullets cast bullets (http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000152670374) the lead is from wheel weights. they are sized to .451 and lubed with jakes bullet lube (http://cgi.ebay.com/Jakes-Purple-Ceresin-Cast-Bullet-Lube-5-Sticks-/380103519945?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item587fef6ec9) they look really good. the problem is that i'm getting a little leading in my barrel still. i was gonna try to cast some more and size them to .452 and see if that will help that out. also i'am not getting them to be as accurate as i would like. should i try to switch to a different bullet design? if i go to a semi waddcutter will it still feed reliably? just looking for a little help thanks

I would cast some more, size them to .452", lube as normal with Jake's, and see what happens. I presume this is for a 45 Auto?

For handguns you don't have to use that hard lube. The regular 50/50 lubes should work, although they are dirtier. It's normal to get a little bit of leading. Depends too what shape your bore is in, like it the barrel new? I using shoot jacketed through a new barrel to break it in. I size my 45 acp bullets at .452.

yes this is for a 45 ACP.

i tried some 50/50 in my 45 colt and it done fine but it was just a mess. i want to be able to size and lube several hundred and be able to store some with out them sticking to each other. how many rounds should it take to break a barrel in?

quote:

Originally posted by kacole:
yes this is for a 45 ACP.

i tried some 50/50 in my 45 colt and it done fine but it was just a mess. i want to be able to size and lube several hundred and be able to store some with out them sticking to each other. how many rounds should it take to break a barrel in?

If it's brand new 1911 you not only want to break the barrel in, but the pistol itself. I think in the order of 200 rounds, but as for the pistol itself, your cast loads will break it in. I'd say a box or two down the barrel should smooth it out. Remember to clean the jacketed fouling out of it and try your cast loads again.

What powder have you decided to use?

As for the semi wadcutter question it depends on what model 1911 you have. If it's a plain jane and copy of the original military 1911 you maybe need to polish the feed ramp and ramp and port the barrel (which I'd leave to a competent gunsmith knowledgeable in that area). If it's one of the newer Kimber, S&W, Springfields, Ruger, all the custom makers, it should feed the semi wadcutters. Next time you have it apart for cleaning take a look at the ramp on the bottom of the breech end of the barrel. If it's quite wide, not merely a wide groove, I'd say it has been ramped. If you have the bullet load up a couple magazines worth and give them a try. Remember OAL on the 45 acp can effect the feeding. Generally rule is to use your barrel as a case gauge. That is keep seating your bullet deeper until the head of the case is even or flush with the hood on the breech end of the barrel.

it's not a new 1911. it's probably had several hundred jacked bullets through it. it is a springfield 6" long slide with a polished ramped barrel. as for powder i haven't settled on a powder yet. i've tried 700x and was not impressed. then i tried unique and it got a little better but i think i should be able to get it a little better. if you know a powder that will perform just let me know. i would be happy to try it.

Something softer than Jakes and stiffer than 50-50 may work better for you. I use Carnauba Red for everything, but have many customers that are happy with BAC in the 45ACP.
I use 4.2gn 700X with a 230LRN and really like it. I hear that AA2 is not position sensitive and burns clean, it may be worth looking at.

Okay, it probably will feed semi wadcutters. I've used Unique and was a big user of Bullseye. WW 231 burns cleaner then those, but the Hodgdon's clays series shoots even cleaner. Generally the newer powders are very clean. Alliant has cleaned up some of their powders from what they use to be.

Lars lube is good stuff, you may try some his prices are really cheap. Another thing you can do when you cast is drop your bullets straight from the mold into a bucket of water which will harden them. I don't know if you know but you should let cast bullets age at the minimum of two weeks, especially the ones that you just drop on a towel to air cool.

It's not the lube, the bullets are likely too small. The cast majority of barrels like a lead bullet 0.001" minimum larger than groove dia. Add the small bullet size to a hard alloy, it's likely going to lead in the first 2" or so of the bbl. So either size to 0.452" or shoot a softer bullet that will bump up. You will still get some leading, but not as much going to a softer bullet.