Need some help with clear input on this one. Lead and polygonal barrels (aka H&K) are not good bedfellows. Therefore, jacketed bullets are always recommended. Anyone have any input on using Mastercast Polymer Coated bullets in the H&K? Also, what about jacketed bullets where lead in base is exposed - does that also leave a bad lead trace in the barrel that the H&K can get sick on?

Looking forward to great insight from the group!!!! Thanks!
:D

Anyone have any input on using Mastercast Polymer Coated bullets in the H&K? Also, what about jacketed bullets where lead in base is exposed - does that also leave a bad lead trace in the barrel that the H&K can get sick on? :DCould not recommend Mastercast bullets for your H&K as they are cast lead bullets with a polymer coating which acts as a lubricant. Could be wrong but have little faith that the polymer will prevent lead from depositing in your rifling. Would not hesitate to use jacketed bullets with an exposed lead base as the copper alloy bearing surfaces of the bullet are the only contact point with the rifling. In most cases, the amount of lead lost from the exposed base is negligible.

This is only opinion based on a lot of years of experience. The original polygonal rifled barrels, the Whitworth, were developed specifically for and during the time when lead bullets were the only game in town, or anywhere else for that matter. No problems have ever been noted with these, why should a handgun with the same form of rifling be a problem? Don't let common sense confuse you on this.

My point is, we should be looking elsewhere to explain the reported problems which have been claimed for shooting cast bullets in either the H&K or Glock polygonal (hexagonal) barrels. Handloading practices come to mind, as well as the problem with case head blow-outs due to multiple reloading of cases fired in poorly supported chambers which are all too common in many modern firearms.

It was also my understanding that the polygon barrels cleaned easier and collected less lead. I could be wrong, but that is my understanding of the concept of the rifling.

It was also my understanding that the polygon barrels cleaned easier and collected less lead. I could be wrong, but that is my understanding of the concept of the rifling.

The only poly barrel I spent a lot of time with has been an HK P9S (.45). I never hesitated to shoot lead in it, but I do tend to clean the barrel (and the rest of the gun) after every range session and have selodm shot more than 100 rounds at a sitting.

Back when i bougth it, the only warning was to never shoot KTW ammo in it (the old teflon coated tungsten....later was teflon coated steel "cop killer" bullets).

Also, won't tolerate a load that leads to a significant degree. Leading is just a sign that you did something wrong with your relaods and need to change something...it's a symptom, stop shooting and find the cure.

For people shooting 100's of rounds at a sitting or too lazy to clean their guns well, would stay away from lead bullets...plastic coated included.
------
They do clean easy...no sharp corners...and they can be accurate ( the HK SL7 and SL6 rifles wwere the first MOA semi-autos I ever fired).

Straight-forward answer. Likely the warning came from the transition of 10mm to the 40s&w with case pressures, etc. Maybe the leading was an excuse to explain problems rather than mis-loading as you suggest. Thanks!

This is only opinion based on a lot of years of experience. The original polygonal rifled barrels, the Whitworth, were developed specifically for and during the time when lead bullets were the only game in town, or anywhere else for that matter. No problems have ever been noted with these, why should a handgun with the same form of rifling be a problem? Don't let common sense confuse you on this.

My point is, we should be looking elsewhere to explain the reported problems which have been claimed for shooting cast bullets in either the H&K or Glock polygonal (hexagonal) barrels. Handloading practices come to mind, as well as the problem with case head blow-outs due to multiple reloading of cases fired in poorly supported chambers which are all too common in many modern firearms.

Could not recommend Mastercast bullets for your H&K as they are cast lead bullets with a polymer coating which acts as a lubricant. Could be wrong but have little faith that the polymer will prevent lead from depositing in your rifling. Would not hesitate to use jacketed bullets with an exposed lead base as the copper alloy bearing surfaces of the bullet are the only contact point with the rifling. In most cases, the amount of lead lost from the exposed base is negligible.

Kinda the thinking I was leaning toward. Seems to me the polymer would be too delicate to survive the barrel without allowing some lead exposure during travel. Thanks!

You didnt say what H&K you have. Dont use the lead in the gas operated guns. Will probably clog it up. I cant see any reason not to try cast bullets in a poly bore. I have been using cast bullets in my Glocks for many years. Had to go to a 160 grain 38 Super bullet with a light load in order to get any accuracy out of the 9mm Glocks. If you dont try to hot load lead then it may work OK.

I had a Glock 21 and shot cast lead 230 grain round nose through it with around 6 grains of #5 behind it and never had any leading problems. These were elcheapo bullets from my local gun shop. I tend to sway towards the "tone it down" approach when shooting those cheap bullets. Its true that polygonal barrels are easier to clean, and foul less than regular barrels. There are no lands or grooves to collect lead or brass/copper fouling. Both of my Desert Eagles have polygonal rifling and they clean up quick, not that I have ever shot lead through them. Turn down the power, and make a nice, cheap and easy to control reload that doesnt lead your barrel. Its only good for plinking anyway.

Couldn't pass this up.

Lead bullets only good for plinking????? How do you explain all the fatalities in all the wars from the invention of firearms 'til the end of the 19th century, not to mention all the literaly millions of game animals which have been killed up to this very day by lead bullets?

With the loads that I speak of, in an autoloader, with the problem with leading at higher velocities, I would only suggest them for plinking. I understand the use of hard cast ammo and have used it for hunting, and am currently using it for hunting. You are taking this out of text. Round balls and such out of rifles are not fired at extream velocities and are not part of the discussion. Ive loaded hot hard cast 320 grain 44mag rounds and have never had a problem with leading and use it for hunting. I would never use a lightly loaded autoloader for hunting or self defense. They do not meet the energy requirements to begin with, nor would I rely on a soft lead bullet for feeding in a life or death situation. So, therefore I would only use a soft lead elcheapo bullet for punching paper.

Bullseye shooting [ e.g. Camp Perry ] is largely done with cast .45s. That's more than mere plinking!

Well, bullseye shooting, target shooting, plinking, etc etc. You dont need high velocities for these applications. If fact, the lower the recoil the better for faster follow up shots.