Wolfpackin

I'd like to hear opinions on these type of rounds.

I've read that the uncoated/unplated lead bullet will foul the barrel more than copper coated or plated. Is that really the case?

Any other reasons why not to use one or the other?
What do you prefer and why?

Thanks.

lafflin rand

Non jacketed or non plated lead bullets will leave a greater amount of debris in the barrel than lead ones. This is especially true if the lead bullets are soft or fied at over 1200 or so fps.

David B53

Thanks I didn't know that either. Guess I'll stick to copper plated from now on.

Precision32

I run both and can see absolutely no difference in barrel leading.

If the round is being pushed fast enough to cause leading the manufacture plates the bullet.

I've put a known 15,000 rounds of Olin/Winchester mill surplus un-plated RN through one of my 10-22s and have never cleaned the barrel. The rifle will shoot 1.5 MOA if I do my part. I can find no sight of leading.

No one can tell you how any type of ammo will shoot in YOUR rifle. Just shoot it and see what happens.

BW64

I run lead all the time in my PT1911 with no problems. I just keep it under 1000fps!!


BW

JRICKARD81

I run LRN 230g .452 in my 1911 all the time with no issues. They are hard cast from friendswoods bullet company. Very accurate!

Wolfpackin

Yes sir, I understand that.

I've been shooting some CCI Blazer Lead RN bulk and finished the first box of 525 with zero failures and decent accuracy.

This was slightly better than the Federal Bulk Copper Coated HP's which had about 2-4 failures over 550 rounds.

So performance is similar, slighty better function with the Blazer.
That's why I'm curious if there's any reason not to shoot straight lead or any advantages/disadvantages of one over the other...discounting that the Federal is HP...doesn't matter to me for plinking.

I also tried some CCI Mini Mag in Copper Coated RN and over 200 rounds I had 1 or 2 FTE/FTF's. So the CCI Lead is doing even better than those for me.

This, again, is the reason I'm asking for pro's and con's on Lead vs Copper Plated/Coated...if there are any.

If there's no difference then I might just stick with the Blazer Lead for plinking and have some HP's for the occasional gopher (ground squirrel) slaughter at my buddys ranch.

Thanks very much guys.

Pappy1911

Should you have said "debris in the barrel than plated ones"?

countrygun

Since we are talking about .22s and not debating casting recipies or handloads and bulk bullet purchases, I am confident in saying that due to the outside lubrication of .22s and the many decades the ammo makers have had to work out their lead formulas, there is really not difference. I have been shooting my own .22s for 40 years now and have never had an issue with leading from one type or the other. There are powders used that are dirtier than others and I stick to major US brands.

mincoda

I have used both and really can't tell the difference. I prefer to use copper washed but when ammo was scarce I took what I could get. Only one I won't use are thunderbolts as they will not cycle in any of my pistols or rifles.

hal

Try Federal Auto Match, a little more cost but they will function in just about everything.

Precision32

Auto-Match is good ammo.

I've run one box of CCI AR-22 (well my grandson did) and it seemed to shoot real well. Need to find another box and put it through it's paces.

antlerfan

I havents shot LRN rounds in years other than the occasional need for a CCI CB.
I mainly run CCI CPHP wether plinking or hunting an cant remember ever having a problem with a CCI failing to eject or fire. I use CCI 36gr Mini-Mag HP for squirrels after having to shoot a squirrel 3 times with another brand of ammo. Also just recently purchased some of the CCI AR-22 rounds havent had a chance to run them yet thoo

On the subject of cleaning after shooting lead bullets if you use BLue Wonder gun cleaner u will reduce the amount of time needed to clean. As i found out after having to clean my slug gun after last deer season u can put it on a barrel swab run it thru ur barrel, let barrel set a few min then scrub with brush an use different bore swab to clean out the barrel.

Joe M

Same here. I also won't use the Remington Thunderbolts or Golden Bullets.

Iowegan

As mentiond by countrygun, unplated bullets are lubricated with a wax like material. This prevents fouling just as well as plated bullets, which are typically not lubricated. When indoor shooting ranges started getting popular, ammo manufactures started making copper or brass plated bullets. This kept lead vapors down to a minimum. Earlier plated bullets were also lubricated but manufacturers learned the lube wasn't necessary so now, most companies either use a very sparing amount of lube or none at all on their plated bullets.

All bullets made for 22 LR ammo use soft lead ... BHN 5~6, which is almost pure lead. You will find ... any rifle or handgun with a rough bore will develop lead fouling no matter what ammo you use. Those guns with a nice smooth bore will shoot hundreds of rounds with hardly any fouling with either naked lead or plated bullets.

Most match grade ammo uses naked lead bullets ... no plating at all. This should tell you something .... pure lead bullets are very accurate and do not foul in a decent gun.

There are a couple brands of ammo with naked lead bullets that I avoid ... Winchester Wildcats and Remington Thunderbolts. Don't know why but this ammo tends to lead foul the bore in all my 22s. Maybe they use a different alloy or maybe their bullet lube isn't good .... what ever the case, Wildcats and Thunderbolts are on my "no buy" list.