.500 LEAD BULLETS QUESTION

[NEURON]

"While the bore diameter of .4880 in (12.40 mm) is consistent with other firearms which fire a .500 in (12.7 mm) diameter bullet, the groove diameter of .4983 in (12.66 mm) is an oddity as most firearms which fire a .500 in (12.7 mm) will have a groove diameter of equal to the diameter of the bullet.[8] For this reason regular cast lead bullets should not be fired in the revolver as excessive leading of the forcing cone and barrel will occur, leading to excessive pressures or the deposited lead acting as an obstruction in the barrel or forcing cone."

I guess hard casting the bullets would alleviate this problem,anyone experiment with different hardness?

 

[Andyd]

Hardcasting is just a part of the solution, proper sizing is most important. A gas check can reduce leading as well as coating.

A link from an amazing site:

Easy to build gas checkmaker

 

[colt_saa]

"While the bore diameter of .4880 in (12.40 mm) is consistent with other firearms which fire a .500 in (12.7 mm) diameter bullet, the groove diameter of .4983 in (12.66 mm) is an oddity as most firearms which fire a .500 in (12.7 mm) will have a groove diameter of equal to the diameter of the bullet.[8] For this reason regular cast lead bullets should not be fired in the revolver as excessive leading of the forcing cone and barrel will occur, leading to excessive pressures or the deposited lead acting as an obstruction in the barrel or forcing cone."

I guess hard casting the bullets would alleviate this problem,anyone experiment with different hardness?

More info might be nice

Is the cartridge you are talking about the 500 S&W Magnum?

Is the firearm you are talking about a S&W Model 500?

Who are you quoting?

There are easily hundreds of Model 500 shooters on this Forum that have put 10s of thousands of lead projectiles down range for more than a decade now

I do not use gas checks when loading the 500 S&W Magnum and have no problems with csat projectiles from 400 grains through 700 grains.

 

[Alk8944]

Oversize bullets do not cause leading, but undersized ones do! A sized diameter of .001-.002" over groove diameter is the proper size for cast bullets.

 

[NEURON]

More info might be nice

Is the cartridge you are talking about the 500 S&W Magnum?

Is the firearm you are talking about a S&W Model 500?

Who are you quoting?

There are easily hundreds of Model 500 shooters on this Forum that have put 10s of thousands of lead projectiles down range for more than a decade now

I do not use gas checks when loading the 500 S&W Magnum and have no problems with csat projectiles from 400 grains through 700 grains.

Sorry, the sub forum is S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present. I wasn't aware of any other S&W Revolvers that chamber this size round.
Yes.
Yes.
Don't know, friend sent it to me, that is why I am asking.
Great!
I would guess a harder alloy is your choice.