I read in some reloading manuals that copper fouling increases when using a monolithic bullet. Since rifle bullets are mostly all copper clad - why would this be? For a given weight a copper bullet is longer but compare a 7mm 160 cx to a 180 match. Why would the writers say more copper fouling. Inquiring minds want to know.
Got this explanation from Cutting Edge Bullets.
When you shoot a lead core bullet, the bullet actually deforms a bit, and the force of the charge makes the bullet expand to the exact size of the rifling. Why does this matter? That expansion of the bullet creates a perfect seal in the barrel which allows perfect exit from the muzzle. If gases escape around the bullet, i.e. “blow by”, it can “kick” the bullet sideways ever so slightly as it exits the barrel causing inaccuracies beyond belief. In addition to gas blow causing inaccuracy, it also creates a tremendous amount of copper fouling if using a solid copper, monolithic bullet. The hot gases heat the copper up and that can cause an excessive buildup of copper on the inside of the barrel. As you can imagine, this is a nightmare to clean. This is a common complaint we hear by our customers that have used other monolithic copper bullets.
Personal experience. I’ve noticed the exact opposite. I primarily shoot Barnes bullets and I feel like they leave less copper fouling than copper jacketed bullets.
Yeah, most of the newer designs tend to not have as much of a problem or any problem. I also think there is a difference between putting 2-300 copper bullets down a barrel vs getting a rifle sighted in and going hunting with it.
Little Crow says the barnes lrx 7 prc was the most accurate factory he has ever shot
I don’t experience any accuracy issues when I use the barnes ttsx bullets. They load easy and kill deer, just a little expensive for my taste. I cant speak on using them exclusively in a rifle, putting hundreds down a barrel, and knowing what the copper impact is or is not from that type of use. I have put about 100 through my rifles without issue, and I switch back and forth with regular bullet designs without going through any specific cleaning regimen changes. I clean my rifles around 100 rounds down the tube.
The barnes ttsx is what i have been using for 300 WM for at least 10yrs or more. I forget. I shoot the 165 gr. and have had nothing but success. Been so long ago I don’t know grouping anymore. Not cheap but what premium ammo is? I have the 168 lrx 7mm to try in my 7 prc.
My PRC loves the 168 LRX. Choice ammo loads it, but I developed a handload which is just as accurate if not better.
It also loves the factory 160LRX load.
I know I’ve got at least 200 rounds if not 300 rounds through that gun with all but 10 of them being lrx loads. And as above, I really don’t notice anything that looks like excessive copper fouling at all.
Willing to share loading? I have probably 10 powders and deciding where to start. I have H4831sc and 4350 among others. I need to get into grt so I can figure out a starting point for powder burn rate for my 22” barrel.
When I see a powder on the shelf that I want to try, I buy it because gone the next day.
Absolutely!
I also have a 22-in barrel. I tried 4831 and 4350 and got so so results. I ended up settling on h1000 and it’s done well although not quite as fast as I would like it to be. But accuracy is excellent
I’ll look up the specifics later tonight when I get back home