Lead shavings in barrel

[PapaWheelie]

Looks like I will need to learn how to slug a barrel. This reloading gets more involved every day. Suppose that's what makes it interesting.

 

[Johnnu2]

PW, once you get to the point where you can reload a caliber that you use, anything you learn beyond that is icing on the cake. I've been reloading for over 50 years and have never slugged a bbl..... I CAN tell you that I've learned something new at very least every year (none of it critical, just little things for more accuracy and better loads....)
IMHO,
J.

 

[Trooper224]

Beretta barrels are on the upper end of the 9mm spec in bore size. If you want to stick with plain cast, or coated bullets you'll need to up the size to around .358, or just go with jacketed. Most cast bullet suppliers will readily accommodate this type of request.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Just loaded a box of my powder coated bullets for 45 AR. This picture shows the little shavings you get once in awhile from seating a coated bullet. They tend to fall off after crimping, but occasionally hang around on the bullet unless you wipe them off. Looks very much like what you have in your barrel. I suppose they could be strips of powder coat peeled off by the rifling. Hard to say for sure, but it might be worth looking at your amount of case flare. It looks like I need to increase mine a little more.

 

[stansdds]

Just loaded a box of my powder coated bullets for 45 AR. This picture shows the little shavings you get once in awhile from seating a coated bullet. They tend to fall off after crimping, but occasionally hang around on the bullet unless you wipe them off. Looks very much like what you have in your barrel. I suppose they could be strips of powder coat peeled off by the rifling. Hard to say for sure, but it might be worth looking at your amount of case flare. It looks like I need to increase mine a little more.

uhhhhh... you may need to flare the case mouth just a bit more. Yep, been there, done that, got the T-shirt, shrunk it and gave it away.

 

[243winxb]

Leading test
Trying to lead the barrel with a very hard alloy. After 200 rounds fired, accuracy was normal. Normal cleaning with #9. Wet, soak to next day. Wet brush, patch out. Done. 45 acp in S&W 645.

The lands cut small strands of lead off the bullet as the bullets engauge the rifling. Does not hurt a thing in my testing.

 

[minconrevo]

I've had good luck with Acme coated bullets in 9mm, which is what the OP says he's running. Wonder if the barrel is well broken in? It usually takes 200-400 warmish jacketed bullets down the barrel, with ample cleaning every few rounds to accomplish break in IMO. Some barrels take more to break in, some less.

Another possibility could be bullet diameter mismatch to the barrel. I prefer lead that are .001" bigger than bore. Too big causes pressure and accuracy problems.

 

[dla]

Leading test
Trying to lead the barrel with a very hard alloy. After 200 rounds fired, accuracy was normal. Normal cleaning with #9. Wet, soak to next day. Wet brush, patch out. Done. 45 acp in S&W 645.

The lands cut small strands of lead off the bullet as the bullets engauge the rifling. Does not hurt a thing in my testing.

Are you sure that those strands are lead? I suspect they are coating. I've never seen strands of lead.

 

[243winxb]

Naked bullets cast by me. 100% sure mine are lead strips/shavings.