Fouling a Barrel with Cheaper Bullets?

[HTSmith]

I just cleaned my barrel good with Isso. Last time I did this it took about 5 shots to get up to speed and shoot. The Berger bullets I prefer have gotten scarce and expensive. Would there be any problem with firing a half dozen fouler shots with say Hornady or Sierra hunting bullets and then switching over to my match load with Bergers? Anyone tried it? Thanks for input.

 

[STOMP442]

I do this all the time. whenever I clean my .260 Ackley I shoot at least 5 foulers with cheap bullets to fireform new brass. This way I am always making new cases while fouling the bore. Killing two birds with one stone. Only thing I do is make sure I use the same powder as what my full power loads use. I do the same thing if I change scopes, shoot a few cases that need fireformed with cheap bullets to get on paper and do final zero with the real things. Best use I have found for Hornady SST.

 

[Damon555]

I do it all the time too.....Barrel fouling, sighting in a scope and blasting away are all good reasons to go cheap on the bullets.

 

[HTSmith]

I'm guessing the jacket materials being a bit different wouldn't matter?

 

[Prose]

I think the jacket difference matters unless you have a barrel that does not foul whatsoever. Different layers of different types will change things. Same goes for powder fouling. Top shelf barrels not as much as say a mcgowen or other cheaper barrel

 

[HTSmith]

Barrel is a Brux. Carbon seems to be the thing that accumulates most.

 

[CaptainMal]

Same here - any bullet but same powder.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I may use different bullets for fireforming but never for foulers. Id hate to know i could possibly get them mixed up by accident. Anything can happen- dump the box, get focused on conditions, etc

 

[tn6br]

This exact thing happened to a friend of mine. Dumped his cartridge box on the bench and couldnt tell the difference in the loaded rounds. His targets reflected it.

I may use different bullets for fireforming but never for foulers. Id hate to know i could possibly get them mixed up by accident. Anything can happen- dump the box, get focused on conditions, etc

 

[PDS]

You can always use a magic marker to mark any cartridge you want to keep separate from the others.

 

[JayBeeYou]

I would say same powder, any bullet but the solid copper variety. Can't see many using them for foulers based off their price, but just in case someone was so inclined.

 

[Bart B.]

I'd shoot the same load for foulers, sighters and record shots. Spin 'em for bullet run out then shoot the worst for foulers, then average for sighters and straightest ones for record.

 

[ratbuster]

You can always use a magic marker to mark any cartridge you want to keep separate from the others.

They don't make magic markers anymore.

 

[Baddog0302]

You can always use a magic marker to mark any cartridge you want to keep separate from the others.

SMK Hornday, NCC, 155/107, 178, 107/168, 105RDF/ 175


___ ___ = 175 SMK

 

[Liven The Dream]

Clean your barrel as you always do. Then treat it with this. or Rem .oil.
Been doing it for years with Palma Rifles never a trouble with 1st shots .

 

[Bart B.]

They don't make magic markers anymore.

Yes they do. These are best for cartridge cases, wipes off best.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bi...-point-dry-erase-marker-set/328BICGELIPP.html

 

[ratbuster]

Yes they do. These are best for cartridge cases, wipes off best.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bi...-point-dry-erase-marker-set/328BICGELIPP.html

I stand corrected....I've not seen those in years, just "Sharpies"

 

[Shaggy357]

Did you know that many of the larger bullet makers use the J4 jackets from Berger? Most of the jacket makers get the rolls of copper from the same supplier. Learned this when talking with a long time jacket maker and bullet expert. Since he has so many years in the business and has the credentials, I took his word for it.

Any jacketed bullet should give you similar fouling. A turned bullet may not.

My $.02

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Did you know that many of the larger bullet makers use the J4 jackets from Berger? Most of the jacket makers get the rolls of copper from the same supplier. Learned this when talking with a long time jacket maker and bullet expert. Since he has so many years in the business and has the credentials, I took his word for it.

Any jacketed bullet should give you similar fouling. A turned bullet may not.

My $.02

Larger bullet makers make their own and most custom bullet mfrs have gotten away from j4 due to price increases and inconsistent supply about 4-5yrs ago. That is when sierra and hines tactical stepped up and started supplying jackets.

 

[HTSmith]

So a truth is stranger than fiction follow up on this. I loaded up 3 fouler rounds in my 6BR using 100 Gr Sierra FB hunting bullets I had on hand. I just picked a middle load out of the Sierra manual (27 Gr Varget) and seated the bullets to about .020 off the lands. These three shots on an extra clean rifle went into a little knot at 100 yards despite an extreme spread of 50 fps between the first and last shots. How does that happen?