Plated 9mm in polygonal barrel

[Rule3]

Please don't think that I am Glock bashing. I don't own one, but by reputation they are very reliable quality pistols. Some people say cast bullets are a no-no in a Glock, and others shoot thousands and thousands of them with no problem. I don't have any personal experience with Glocks to contribute to that conversation.

I was addressing a specific question about H&K pistols. My HK45 is good to go with cast bullets. I recommended that the original poster check the manual that came with his H&K 9 mm to see if it gave the same recommendation.

Tom

Please advise were your HK manual states lead bullets are acceptable. I can not find it in mine nor online?

What kind of ammunition should I use in my HK weapon?

"Use only commercially manufactured ammunition with internal ballistic pressures which are in strict accordance with the specifications of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI). Be certain all ammunition you use complies with the SAAMI specifications. If you are uncertain, contact your ammunition supplier for verification. If you would like any further information on specific ammunition, you may contact one of the major ammunition manufacturers. "

 

[CMV]

This is my 2nd with polygonal rifling - I forgot about the USP 45. But I haven't shot it much - just 1 box of factory ammo.

Anyway, this what HK USP 45 & VP9 manuals have to say about ammo:



What is the issue with AL cased ammo? I still have a lot of CCI Blazer 9mm from when it was $5 a box & bought cases & cases. Sadly that wasn't but about 10 yrs ago..... Anyway I've shot a lot of it & never noticed any ill effect.

 

[bangswitch]

I have shot more than 200,000 rounds using plated bullets out of glock barrels.

I'm not quite up to that number yet, but all that goes through my G20 lately are Rainier plated 10mm/.40 flat-noses. Nary a problem, even loaded to full power JHP velocities. These are all reloads, and Glock, like HK, says they won't warrant one of their guns shooting reloads. It's a liability issue for the mfg, not really a safety ssue. Reloads are all any of my pistols have seen in several years. I haven't broke anything yet.

 

[TommyD45]

Please advise were your HK manual states lead bullets are acceptable. I can not find it in mine nor online?

You can find the manual at: http://hk-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/HK45-HK45Compact-Operators-Manual-05252012.pdf

The manual for the HK45 states on page 27:

“NOTE: Currently there are no known .45 ACP ammunition types that are not
compatible with the HK45 pistols with the exception of some light, match
grade wadcutter loads that provide insufficient recoil impulse to reliably
operate the HK45. All HK45 pistols are approved for use with +P and +P+
ammunition. The use of +P and +P+ ammunition does accelerate wear and
reduce the service life on the component parts of any pistol including the
HK45.”

Note that the only exception list is target wadcutters and the reason given is insufficient recoil impulse, not because it is made of lead.

Of course they disclaim the use of any reloads, just like any other manufacturer.

Tom

 

[LiveLife]

Instead of worrying about shooting lead bullets in polygonal barrel and hassling with cleaning out the leading, how about just shooting plated bullets?

Rocky Mountain Reloading has 230 gr (thirds) plated RN rated to 1500 fps for $105/1000 with free shipping ($100/1000 if you order 2000 bullets]). That's cheaper price than many commercial lead bullets shipped!!! - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/45-2...5B315D41390B04C788937DA21983E8.m1plqscsfapp04

You also get additional 5% THR discount if you use thehighroad5 promo code and your THR name/ID in the order "notes" box. So that will bring the price down to $95/1000 if you order 2000 bullets! - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=759774

BTW, here are other caliber prices BEFORE the 5% THR discount (all with Free Shipping, TP indicates "Thick Plated" good to 1500 fps). How much are you currently paying for lead bullets shipped to your door?:

- 380Auto 100 gr TP RN $76/1000 (down to $68/1000 for larger orders) - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/380-...ted-1000-Count-380-100-Gr-RMR-Plated-1000.htm

- 9mm 124 gr TP RN $81/1000 (down to $71/1000 for larger orders) - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/9mm-...-Nose-1000-Count-9mm-124-RMR-RNTP-1000-Ct.htm

- 40/10mm 165 gr (seconds) RNFP $95/1000 (down to $92/1000 for larger orders) - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/40-1...-Seconds-1000-Ct-40-165-RNFP-2nds-1000-Ct.htm

- 40/10mm 180 gr TP RNFP $112/1000 (down to $108/1000 for larger orders) and verified range tested to less than 1.25" shot group at 25 yards with Alliant BE-86 powder - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/40-1...lated-1000-Count-40-180-RMR-Thick-1000-Ct.htm

 

[TommyD45]

Instead of worrying about shooting lead bullets in polygonal barrel and hassling with cleaning out the leading, how about just shooting plated bullets?

Everybody does things for different reasons, and my personal reasons may not work for other people.

I've been casting my own bullets since the 1980s.
I started when I was a student and couldn't afford to shoot much factory ammo. Today I do it for quality and the ability to tailor the ammo to both the individual gun and the job at hand.

Tom

 

[LiveLife]

TommyD45, I agree. After shooting 200 gr SWC lead bullets blarby casted, I was convinced that handcasted bullets can be more accurate than commercial lead bullets.

My current interest in plated/JHP bullets is due to my recent rise in blood lead levels from 8 to 12 but after not shooting at indoor ranges, it dropped to 8.1 after 3 months while I still handled/reloaded lead bullets.

I look forward to casting/powdercoating my own bullets after retirement as blarby experienced good enough success with powdercoating to replace bullet lube, not to mention the benefits of reduction in lead exposure.

He sent me samples of powder coated bullets he casted and I think they are solutions for pistols with polygonal barrels to reduce leading in the barrel and reduce lead exposure. I will post my range test results of blarby's powder coated bullets in the "Partnership for powdercoating" thread - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=753510

BTW, for those interested/concerned with lead exposure, here's a checklist that I outlined in the THR lead thread to reduce lead exposure/blood lead level - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9625420#post9625420

I started when I was a student and couldn't afford to shoot much factory ammo.

I was a starving college student once and experienced not having enough money to do what I wanted to do.

And that was the reason for my posting RMR's "thirds" plated 45 bullets and their new line of thick plated bullets which have lower "shipped" prices than some commercial lead bullets. So you get to save money while reducing your lead exposure/hassle of cleaning leading from the barrel. Personally, if you shoot pistols with polygonal barrels, I would recommend you shoot JHP/plated/coated bullets over bare lead bullets any day, especially if the pricing is comparable or better. Of course, if you cast your own, I would recommend you look into powder coating. With tumble coating method blarby tested in the thread, you can get started powdercoating with just the cost of plastic BBs and garage/yard sale toaster oven. blarby said the cost of powder coating is comparable to the cost of lube.

 

[TommyD45]

I completely understand about the problem with lead contamination and toxicity.

I do all of my casting and most of my shooting outdoors. My barn has a nice overhang on the side where I set up my casting furnace to minimize my exposure.

When reloading I have been wearing nitrile gloves to avoid contamination and wash my hands after each session.

This may seem a bit extreme to some, but I work in a hospital and I'm quite used to wearing gloves for infection control purposes. I just use the same principles when handling my reloading components. Not just the bullets, but I also treat the cases as contaminated items when reloading as well.

Tom

 

[LiveLife]

Based on my research and personal experience, most of my lead exposure came from inhaled lead particle/vapor as I did not cast.

If I casted, I would certainly utilize an industrial/high velocity fan to move the lead vapor/particles away from me. Here's a video of Jerry Miculek casting lead bullets (he's been casting for 27 years) and note that while he wears eye protection and gloves, he does not wear a respirator as he utilizes a humongous industrial fan.

[YOUTUBE]PSgQ82Kqhzo[/YOUTUBE]