I recently bought a 686-6 to have as a shooter and test bed for my upcoming foray into reloading, and possibly, casting. Along with that, I purchased 500 rounds of Prvi Partisan .38 special, 158 grain LRN ammuntion. I don't know if I have a bad batch of poorly lubricated (or cast) bullets that are too hard or soft, or the powder load is incorrect for the bullet. I have experienced some intense leading, poor accuracy, and major POA shift. Not to mention, the ammo is filthy.

After 50 rounds:


I assume this is "major" leading. This is the first time I have encountered the issue.




Chore Boy and elbow grease got the majority cleaned out.



So I have another 400 rounds of this particular ammunition. After shooting two 50-round sessions, and the cleaning involved, I don't think I want to finish it off. I'll be trying some jacketed ammunition and different lead ammunition this weekend to compare performance.

--or undersized bullets with bad lube....

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Science plus Art

Thanks for the heads up. Is there any tangible way to check this with a bullet in the case, or would I have to mic the bullet itself?

I've never seen a factory, lead bullet 38 Special round that didn't lead the barrel. Some are just worse than others. Ammunition manufacturers are about simplified production and economy. They turn our ammunition that is safe to shoot and reasonable in performance. The "one size fits all" approach is OK but almost never ideal.

Sorry you still have 400 rounds of the stuff but you can use the brass once you've fired it all. Take a rifle brass brush (.358" and longer than pistol brushes) along to the range and scrub the bore every cylinder or so. It will keep the leading some what under control, or at least from building up too quickly. It's practice ammo so practice...then learn to reload.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Sorry but you get what you pay for.

I have a Model 66 that is still dirty from shooting "American" .38 Special back in 2005 or so..........the carbon wouldn't clean off with normal cleaning so I just left it for a "rainy day"..........

The best way to go is to buy in bulk, I have had good luck with Armscor ammo, it's pretty cheap and it may not be match grade but it's good range ammo. Sellier & Bellot is also OK range ammo.

For defense, I trust the stuff that comes in the 25 round boxes like Golden Saber and Gold Dot. The rest is just for training.

Gone are the days when I used to walk into a sporting goods store and get a box of .38 158 LRN reloads for $6.

PRVI is the cheapest of the cheap. The Germans I know won't go near it, all though it's all over the place. I have fired .45 ACP in PRVI and it threw large chunks of unburnt gunpowder everywhere. The up side is that it hardly recoils. The downside is it's the dirtiest stuff I've ever fired and the most inconsistent too. What can you expect from Serbia for God's sakes? If you want cheap foreign ammuntion at least go with Sellier & Bellot, or start your reloading now.

Get a Lee Lead Remover Tool and some extra brass patches. At least that will make the clean up process a little easier.

- - - -Buckspen

Take the rest of it back if you can.That's a painful way to collect brass!

I've shot a good bit of the Privi in 32ACP in short barrel semi-autos. Hasn't been much of a problem there and also cycles the action well. I have never seriously considered purchasing a batch of it for serious shooting or even revolver shooting. In a semi-auto....most of the junk-n-gunk goes out the end of the barrel. I'd never buy a "stash" of the stuff.

Possibly you mean a LEWIS lead remover? Does Lee also make one?