Lead loads / OAL / chamber tightness concerns

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I am loading up my first ever lead rounds. I am used to FMJ rounds fitting easily into my G21 chamber and falling out easily as well.

With my first few loaded lead testers, I am finding that they get stuck in the chamber when at the recommended OAL.

Now, I tried a few with the bullet pressed a bit further into the case and those rounds test much better in the chamber (they don't get stuck in there and fall out easily).

I am using 200 gr Round Flat Nose lead/dry lube coated from Precision Bullets which should be loaded to lead specs.

I have double checked my crimp and it looks good. The only thing I can see causing the rounds to get stuck is the lead bullets having a much wider taper than FMJ's. I mean, it seems like the beginning of the taper could be contacting the first few mm's of the barrel.

What do yall think?

I have another thread that is related to this, but this one is more specific.

Thanks.

[Steve Koski]

What barrel?

[lcarreau]

If you take the barrel out and drop the cratridge in the chamber, it should go in easily. Have you tried this?

-Lonnie

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I have a lonewolf 6" en route, but...I was planning on testing a few in my OEM barrel to see how the dry lube that coats these bullets holds up. I have heard they combat leading very well which causes the big problems in Glocks IIRC.

Hmmm, thinking along those lines. Would the Glock rifling (tighter) have something to do with the lead bullets getting caught up n the chamber?

Thanks.

[soundwave]

If you take the barrel out and drop the cratridge in the chamber, it should go in easily. Have you tried this?

-Lonnie

Yep, that is what I was referring to earlier. The ones I loaded shorter than the OAL I was recommended drop in fine. The ones I loaded to recommended specs did not.

Thanks.

[lcarreau]

What OAL?

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I was recommended to load em 1.240-1.255 OAL (Jammer Six was kind enough o pull the data from his Lyman 47 book). Those just don't fit and get stuck.

I backed em down till they fit the chamber well, which was 1.225 OAL.

Also, I am using 231 (starting at 5 gr.)

Sorry, I should have posted this all in my original post.

[Steve Koski]

What diameter are the bullets?

Got calipers?

[soundwave]

What diameter are the bullets?

Got calipers?

Just home from work. Calipers read .452 with an occasional .451.5 in there.

[Steve Koski]

Sounds like your chamber and freebore are tight. Maybe have a gunsmith open them up a bit.

My LWD barrel is the same way. A bit tight for my taste, but I can make the lead bullets run. I may have it opened up a bit at some point.

[soundwave]

Sounds like your chamber and freebore are tight. Maybe have a gunsmith open them up a bit.

My LWD barrel is the same way. A bit tight for my taste, but I can make the lead bullets run. I may have it opened up a bit at some point.

Would you object to just sizing em to down to 1.225 OAL (the size they feed nicely) with a low powder charge to start?

Thanks for your help.

[fredj338]

Your 5gr charge is fine, on the light side actually. OAL is going to vary alot from one lead bullet style to the next within the same weight range (200grRn, RNFP, TC, LSWC, etc.). If they are running fine @ 1.225", run them there & not worry.

[Fatdaddy]

The bbl I had in my 1911 would have problems if I loaded my cast swc past 1.185 OAL. LRN boolits could be loaded much longer.

[918v]

OK lookit,

A slight to moderate interference fit is OK. They will chamber when the slide closes. They are perfectly OK for range work.

The reason they are chambering with resistance is due to the bullets being a little larger in diameter than jacketed. The bullets are tighter in the chamber throat (freebore between the rifling and the chamber body). Don't seat them deeper. If you force them to skip from the case into the throat, they will scrape against the sharp edge of the chamber body and lead more.