Turned Solids and Barrel Life

[Curmudgeon]

I'd like to know if anyone has experience with using solid turned bullets. I wouldn't think a small number in a hunting rifle would matter but match rifle shooting might be different. Is brass more abrasive than copper? Thanks

 

[Steve Blair]

I'd like to know if anyone has experience with using solid turned bullets. I wouldn't think a small number in a hunting rifle would matter but match rifle shooting might be different. Is brass more abrasive than copper? Thanks

[br]
Bullet jackets are typically Gilding Metal, 95% copper and 5% zinc. It is considered a brass. Cartridge brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. Some solids are turned from gilding metal, others from various copper alloys, including cartridge brass. I have never seen data regarding barrel wear but would be interested to see it.

 

[glo]

No, turned solids are not more “abrasive” than “copper” jacketed bullets. The military have been using steel jacketed bullets since the mid 1880's and all steel bullets in aircraft cannon, ball ammo since WWII. Steel shoot is uses safely in shotguns since the 1980's, even where the plastic wad/cup do not insulate the barrel from the shot its self.

Most barrel wear and the time when a barrel is “shot out” is at the throat/leade area of the chamber. To some extent on target type rifle barrels the muzzle can suffer enlargement before the barrel is shot out. In that case many target shooters cut the muzzle back and inch or so. In some cases where the barrel is experiencing loss of accuracy due to throat erosion the shooter cuts the chamber end back an inch or so and rechambers the barrel.