Semi Wadcutter Lead Bullets .41 Magnum
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SAFireman
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My home grown 210gr @ 1100 fps don't seem to lead very much at all. I have been buying LSWC's from a local vendor for about 10 years and all of his lead products have been A+
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No more or less than any other Magnum cartridge.
Alk8944
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Leading is a factor of bullet fit, hardness and lubrication. Bullet shape has nothing to do with it. If our supplier offers different sizing options select .411" to .412", not .410. Since I cast my own I can choose the lubricant I use as well as the bullet alloy. You will be better off with bullets of brinnell hardness of 12 to 15, The extreme "hard cast bullets of 22 Brinnell tend to lead worse than those of 12-15.
If you are asking about the factory loaded Lead SWC ammunition, they lead quite badly, just like .357 and ,44 Magnum.
If you are asking about the factory loaded Lead SWC ammunition, they lead quite badly, just like .357 and ,44 Magnum.
If your bullet fits your barrel they wont lead. If the bullet is undesized it slips in the barrel cusing lead issues.
I have bought from various casters and no problems to speak of. My favorite load is a cast swc of 200-210 grains and 7-8 grains of Unique.
Another reason for leading on some commercial bullets is the lube they use is crap and dosent do its job. Its too hard.
BillinAlamo
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Powder coating is an option that prevents leading with cast bullets.
gwpercle
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They don't have to ... the correct size , bullet alloy , bullet lubricant or coating and a gas check takes care of any/all leading problems in my 41 Magnum loads ...
If done right they don't lead .
Gary
If done right they don't lead .
Gary
donavanmccoy
Member
The heat and friction that every bullet imparts on barrels is too much for every bullet. The riflings are there for a reason.. to inflict spin on the bullet. All bullets (lead, copper,) shed (or smear) as they travel down the undersized barrel slowly filling the grooves and cleaning the lands. If not cleaned, you start to see erratic patterns and keyholing. Rifle shooters who shoot thousands of rounds think their barrels are "shot out" but they are just full of copper and there is less bullet spin than the powder charge requires.
Throw away your bore snake. Buy a good bore cleaner and scrub it with nylon, then brass. Lead builds up everywhere because it also melts. Also spews toxic lead particles everywhere. Don't forget the lead removing soap for your hands. …… oh and wear at least SPF 60 if you are outside.
Islander
Member
90% of time if lead bullet is leading the barrel it is undersized need to be at minimum one thousands over groove size
+1 to this. I have some traditionally lubed cast bullets left for my .44 Special loads, and once they're gone, I won't buy any more. I've already switched to coated lead bullets for my .38, .357 Mag, 9x19, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP loads.Have tried coated bullets at the suggestion of a shooting buddy. Must admit, I like 'em !!
The original lead bullet factory ammo for .41 Magnum was terrible, and gave the round its reputation for leading badly, because back then it did. Even with traditionally lubed cast bullets, given correct sizing and hardness, leading isn't an issue. Back when I hunted and cast my own bullets, I had a load that pushed a 210-grain LSWC over 1400 fps from the 7-1/2" barrel of my Ruger Bisley and had no problem with leading, even with extended practice sessions. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to try it on deer,
but I'm sure it would've done its part if I did mine.M E Morrison
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Depends on alloy, lube and velocity.
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Properly hardened LSWC typical leading is manageable
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It all depends on a few factors. What the velocity is, what the lead bullet's composition is (hardness), the bullets shape and and weight along with the barrel's age and smoothness. In general, all other factors being equal, the faster a lead bullet travels the more chance of leading up the barrel. Of course if only a few rounds are to be fired for let's say SD against a bear attack, leading would not be much of a concern. For shooting hundreds of rounds at a time at the range - I'd either use semi jacketed bullets and not deal with leading or hard cast lead - lower velocity ammo.
For cast lead bullets in revolvers, the most important fit is with the cylinder throats. Sizing for the groove diameter is important too, but secondary.
Ideally, cylinder throat diameter and groove diameter should be a close match. Real world results suggest that cylinder throats .001-.002" over groove diameter is perfect. (Of course, the throats and bore need to be aligned properly, but that's another story!)
If the throats are undersized compared to groove diameter, an easy fix is to ream or lap the throats to open them to appropriate size.
The worst situation is excessively oversized cylinder throats. As a bad example are the late era S&W 25-2s with .458" cylinder throats and .451-452" groove diameter barrels.
Lots of guys just give up or accept mediocre performance.
Thankfully, the .41 Magnum is one cartridge in which the revolvers tend to be well made regarding cylinder throats and barrels. Many, if not most, S&W 57s will be found with .410-.411" cylinder throats and .410" groove diameter.
It is very easy to size cast bullets using a variety of alloys and lubes and get accurste loads with little or no leading.
Ideally, cylinder throat diameter and groove diameter should be a close match. Real world results suggest that cylinder throats .001-.002" over groove diameter is perfect. (Of course, the throats and bore need to be aligned properly, but that's another story!)
If the throats are undersized compared to groove diameter, an easy fix is to ream or lap the throats to open them to appropriate size.
The worst situation is excessively oversized cylinder throats. As a bad example are the late era S&W 25-2s with .458" cylinder throats and .451-452" groove diameter barrels.
Lots of guys just give up or accept mediocre performance.
Thankfully, the .41 Magnum is one cartridge in which the revolvers tend to be well made regarding cylinder throats and barrels. Many, if not most, S&W 57s will be found with .410-.411" cylinder throats and .410" groove diameter.
It is very easy to size cast bullets using a variety of alloys and lubes and get accurste loads with little or no leading.
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