bullet versus bullet

[Michaël T]

hey guys, i am new here.
would like to know if there is a problem using different bullet brands without cleaning the barrel in between switching from one bullet brand to the other.
i know that bullets are made different composition of copper which is why i question.

thanks for all the clarification.

 

[necchi]

I usually do, for the reason you describe, Different alloy's.
If one is softer than the previous deposits in the barrel from a different bullet it can lead to rapid copper fouling.
And while experimenting with different bullets there is a plus to allowing each bullet tested the benefit of a clean bore.
I'll clean if I change powders too even with the same bullet. If you have a gun like a few of mine that happen to like a fouled bore, then I just load a few extra on the load end of the test spread as foulers.

 

[KevinThomas]

MTSK,

Depends on the bullets involved here. Most makers of conventionally jacketed bullets are using exactly the same alloy; 95/5 gilding metal. Whatever differences there are, are in the form of minute grain structure, which will effect how it draws, but not how it fouls. The real rub is if you throw some of the monolithic solids, such as the Barnes, the Lapua Naturalis, or other lathe-turned bullets into the mix. Some of these use brass alloys, while some use pure copper, and I'm sure, any other alloy in between. Point is, they're different and that could indeed cause soem of the problems you're concerned about here.

Necci gives good advice here; clean between strings and give all the various loads a level playing field for your comparisons.

The bigger issue that you need to be concerned with is powder cross-contamination. That is, if you're comparing factory rounds, they're almost certainly loaded with different powders. Using one type of powder and then switching to another will frequently (almost always) cause some degree of chaos for several shots before the fouling settles down and the gun begins to shoot again. Very well known phenomenon among XC shooters, which is why we almost always try to use the same powder or family of powders in both our short rnage and long range ammo.

 

[markm87]

The bigger issue that you need to be concerned with is powder cross-contamination. That is, if you're comparing factory rounds, they're almost certainly loaded with different powders. Using one type of powder and then switching to another will frequently (almost always) cause some degree of chaos for several shots before the fouling settles down and the gun begins to shoot again. Very well known phenomenon among XC shooters, which is why we almost always try to use the same powder or family of powders in both our short rnage and long range ammo.

That's interesting. I've always avoided running a ball powder and extruded in the same session... but I know I've mixed within the two types.

Good to know that info.

 

[Michaël T]

I know not to mix powders learned from my mistakes. i XTC(6mm ar)
for instance Brand "B" uses J4 jacket and "S" uses their own which is thicker then "B"
two weeks outside and one still shines J4(possible alloy) and the other is dull colored(own Jacket,possible pure copper)

anyway thanks for the clarification
this weekend i will test 107 versus 105
and will try to post the results(pics)

 

[artbosco]

would like to know if there is a problem using different bullet brands without cleaning the barrel in between switching from one bullet brand to the other.

Could be. However, the biggest problem you'll have switching from one brand of bullet to another ... is forfeiting the TUNE, assuming you had one in the first place.

Some barrels shoot great even after having lots of rounds shot through them, but the one thing they hate the most, is when you start using different components. Some go wild, and start throwing those round, long, cylinder like, pointy things all over the place.