.38sp @ the range: LRN vs FMJ?

[Biggfoot44]

Yes , absolutely More Friction is More Friction ! But that's not necessarily a Limiting Factor .

For magnum , +P+ , and much +P ammo, the Gas Erosion will far exceed the friction wear .

For a medium frame or larger , all steel revolver , shooting nearly exclusively mild , low pressure lead bullets , it is indeed possible to rack up 50k to 100k round counts .

It used to happen back in the Revolver Era ,with LE/ Corrections/ Security outfits with dedicated " training guns " , or PPC Shooting Teams , where the job supplied unlimited practice ammo and in house range time .

A private individual , paying out of their pocket spending enough on ammo to wear out a bbl from friction wear ? Never say never , but 99.99% unlikely .

 

[alwslate]

"Faster" doesn't mean "fast." Even if your theory is true, it has no practical meaning. Unless OP plans to put tens of thousands of rounds through it.

The OP did not say how many rounds he expected to fire or in what guns. He asked a simple question and as usual on here ends up getting a page full of opinions, bs and spouting of the responder’s vast knowledge. The simple answer to his simple question is that jacketed bullets wear a barrel more than lead bullets. Geeze folks

 

[heeter3]

R. Gallagher try Freedom Munitions.I bought some 158 gr FJFPs.They have 4 different configurations of .38s as we speak.B Still congrats on finding the joy of shooting the beloved revolver and in particular the. 38 special.As is usual here great advice to consider from many knowledgeable people.I tend to use FMJs at the indoor range and shoot LRN when we go out to the desert to shoot steel.The lead doesn't tend to spill back as much as the metal jackets when shooting steel.For me at least it is tougher to clean my revolvers after shooting lead.One trick I learned when shooting lead was to throw a couple of jacketed rounds downrange after shooting lead all day it seemed to help clear some of the lead residue before taking my revolver home to clean.

 

[BB57]

The OP did not say how many rounds he expected to fire or in what guns. He asked a simple question and as usual on here ends up getting a page full of opinions, bs and spouting of the responder’s vast knowledge. The simple answer to his simple question is that jacketed bullets wear a barrel more than lead bullets. Geeze folks

Context and parameters matter. You are implying that a simple “yes” or “no” answer is not only sufficient but best.

The purpose of the responses in this thread is to allow the OP (and any future readers with similar questions) to make an informed decision that beat suits his (their) needs so neither of your implications are valid.

The discussion in the thread, the context it provides and the qualifiers it gives to the “yes” may not meet with your pleasure or approval, but that’s not what’s important in this thread.

 

[BB57]

Leading is the result of undersized bullets. Properly sized lead that isn't too hard or too soft as well as lube that isn't too hard or too soft all but mitigates barrel leading. Your barrel will tell you what it likes!

I cast .358, 135 grain LRNFP (NOE) bullets at around 10 BHN and use a fairly soft lube. These are sized .357 and I use them in 9mm, 38 SPL and 38 Super up to 1000 fps. I clean my barrel with a rolled-up paper towel.
It helps to start with a surgically clean barrel.

Accuracy exceeds the similar plated bullet beyond 25 yards.

As a high-volume shooter, I haven't shot very many jacketed bullets

What's not to love?

Smiles,

Traditionally, the consensus has been to size bullets .001” over bore diameter.

In most cases I agree with you, and with the above wisdom that it will minimize leading.

I also agree with you that bullet leading is caused by undersized bullets. The “where” however is the key.

In some firearms the throat or cylinder’s free bore dimensions are sufficiently larger than bore diameter that a bullet properly sized to the bore will suffer substantial gas cutting.

In that case, the bullet needs to be sized as close as possible to the throat or free bore diameter, provided the cartridge has sufficient space in the chamber to both drop into the chamber and then release the bullet without creating excessive pressure.

A bullet soft enough to obturate a soon as possible is also important to minimize gas cutting. As you know harder isn’t always better as the bullet needs to be soft enough to obturate quickly as the pressures involved, while still being hard enough not to skid as it enters the rifling.

 

[alwslate]

Context and parameters matter. You are implying that a simple “yes” or “no” answer is not only sufficient but best.


The discussion in the thread, the context it provides and the qualifiers it gives to the “yes” may not meet with your pleasure or approval, but that’s not what’s important in this thread.

What’s obviously important in this thread is it provides an opportunity for those so inclined to expound on their vast knowledge at length and presume to “educate” the rest of us as to the “real truth” and not what we “thought” we knew.

 

[rollingthunder]

Dont switch back and forth between lead and jacketed. Copper fouling will strip lead from your bullets and make the bore really fouled quick. I would stick to lead in a 38 and use jacketed in the speedier 357. If you can find some 38 loaded with 148gr DEWC bullets, they are what made the 38spl an accurate target pistol.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Inusuit]

What’s obviously important in this thread is it provides an opportunity for those so inclined to expound on their vast knowledge at length and presume to “educate” the rest of us as to the “real truth” and not what we “thought” we knew.

One of the many reasons I like this forum is that individuals with more experience than I have can expound on their vast knowledge and educate me on things I thought I knew but didn't.

If they expound on things they think they know but don't, I'm free to ignore them.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Lately 38 Ammo has been hard to find in these parts.
So B Still and the rest of us who don’t reload are dependent on the ammo they have - I have several thousand rounds of 38 - and the ammo they can find.
This is a case of if I needed 38 I would order online.
FMJ vs. Cast? Have shot thousands of rounds of both in a number of guns.
Don’t recall a serious leading problem.
Have had leading with Hot 357 Handloads, cast bullets.
But I was casting my bullets and following the Gospel of Elmer.

 

[jjfitch]

Reread the OP!

The OP did not say how many rounds he expected to fire or in what guns. He asked a simple question and as usual on here ends up getting a page full of opinions, bs and spouting of the responder’s vast knowledge. The simple answer to his simple question is that jacketed bullets wear a barrel more than lead bullets. Geeze folks

From the OP!:

"Are there any particular issues between shooting LRN vs FMJ? Is one better/worse for the barrel than the other? Harder to clean?"

Now reread post #10!

Thank you,

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Welcome to the Rotator Club. It's indeed fun and addicting.

I rarely shoot jacketed bullets as cast bullets (mine or commercial) shoot very well and are accurate way out yonder past a hundred yards if they are of good quality. Barrels will last long enough for your grandkids to enjoy the revolver in their senior years if you pass it down. When cast well, sized properly and lubed well, I experience no leading.

Many factory 38 loads use a swaged lead bullet. For the swaging process, the lead has to be very soft and these will often lead up a revolver. On the other hand they can be the most accurate of lead bullets in a revolver, especially the 148 grain hollow base wadcutter bullet for match shooting. With this load your barrel life will be almost indefinite if you clean it properly.

Revolvers beg to be reloaded for. It's a great supporting hobby, is relatively easy with good equipment and there is a plethora of components for it. Cast bullets, swaged bullets; plated bullets, jacketed bullets; and coated bullets are all available (current supply chain issues may hinder this) for your revolver. Cases last a long time and a pound of powder with 38 or 357 loads goes a long way.

 

[Crew Leader]

B Still, first of all....Semper Fi!
Secondly, it has been my experience that shooting lead always requires a bit more labor than jacketed. Being where we have been, we all know the importance of a clean weapon.
Lastly, shoot whatever makes YOU happy and what works best for both you and your firearm and ENJOY it all. Cleaning and maintaining your firearm is ALWAYS more fun than a trip to the sand pits!
Keep shooting and enjoy.....safely