Beveled Base: Leading

[Gary H]

To what extent does a beveled base contribute to leading in a pistol caliber? I believe that my .45 ACP belle is sufficient to allow for a non-beveled bullet, but most available 230 RN are beveled. Anyone actually eliminate leading by getting rid of the bevel? Who sells non-beveled 230 RN? Thanks..

 

[ChristopherG]

Here's an accurate, swaged, 230 LRN with a flat base for under 50 bucks a thousand, shipped to your door:

http://www.rozedist.com/cgi-bin/miv...e=ROZE&Product_Code=R118&Category_Code=SLB-45

I haven't had any leading to speak of with them, but I am loading them very light (like 600 fps light).

cg

 

[Quantrill]

The NRA did a study a few years back and concluded that bevel base bullets were actually slightly more accurate than the flat base bullet for any given bullet. I have used both in .38 wadcutter and fail to see a difference. I never found more leading in one over the other either. Quantrill

 

[g56]

I have loaded many thousands of 38 special HBWC's for match use, I don't have any way to compare the leading to bevel base wadcutters, but the HBWC left horrible leading behind in my PPC revolver.

 

[HSMITH]

I shot somewhere around 30K rounds of lead bullets through handguns last year. HALF or more were bevel base bullets, a few thousand gas check designs without gaschecks, and the balance of flat base bullets.

I very much prefer a bevel base bullet. They load easier, they don't shave lead when seating as easily either. They are just as accurate in my guns as anything else I have tried, and when I cast my own bullets the bevel base bullets are VASTLY easier to get a nice clean flat base with.

I have NEVER noticed more or less leading bases on bullet base type.

 

[JoeHatley]

Gary,

I've been shooting at least 1000/month BB SWC cast bullets for several years now. No leading at all. I like the way they are easier to load, with out having to bell the case mouth much. Makes the brass last almost forever, and X-ring count doesn't know the difference.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I've wondered about this myself. I've read several times in handloader that bb bullets lead more but I can't really see a difference in .45 acp or .38 spl, maybe in a hot magnum loading but I generally use jacketed bullets for these loads. Hmmm, maybe I'll experiment a little!

 

[Gary H]

Years later.. I believe that my leading problem was due to the use of Titegroup.