Hello gents! I recently grabbed a box of prarie fire arms 180gr hard cast coated bullets. I've never loaded hard cast before, and I know it's not recommended in glock barrels. I saw a video claiming that the coating on these bullets make them safe for glock barrels, but what about at 10mm velocities? I usually run my 180gr around a nice comfy 1200fps.

Also, what is the best way to clean the lead from my barrel after a shooting session? Thanks for your time!

I don't believe the coated will be a problem at those speeds... What may be a problem is the size being correct for the barrel.

I tested a set (10 ) of coated lead that were .002 oversized and there was no lead at all in a stock barrel. ( running with 10.4 Bdot )

What should the diameter be when I mic the bullets? I'm just now learning that glock barrels have a specific tolerance for lead bullet diameter.

I size my cast 10mm bullets @ 0.4015" and I shoot them through my Glock factory barrels with no leading.  It could also be the lube I'm using as well.  Carnuba Red for White Label Lube rated to 2700 fps...

The coated bullets should be fine if they are at 0.4015" to 0.4020" but care loading them goes a long ways to maintain the coating integrity without shaving it off while seating the bullets.  Seat without any closure of the casing against the bullet while it is moving down into the casing.  With My RCBS taper crimp die I have to lift it at least 1/8" (I use a spacer ring) to stop the squeezing inward while I seat without any crimp applied.  I then crimp in a separate step to finish.

Good luck!

I have had the best luck doing just this. I use a Redding carbide deluxe to load then use a Lee FCD for crimp. Before I noticed I was doing exactly what you warn against. Shaving off bits of coating.

The coating is "Hi-tek"? Look leprechaun green lol..

And as far as cleaning any lead that might appear in my barrel, I'm assuming standard copper/fouling solvents (hopes 9, balistol) and such won't remove the lead... any suggestions?

Quote from: The_Shadow on January 21 2017 08:35:25 AM MST
I size my cast 10mm bullets @ 0.4015" and I shoot them through my Glock factory barrels with no leading.  It could also be the lube I'm using as well.  Carnuba Red for White Label Lube rated to 2700 fps...

The coated bullets should be fine if they are at 0.4015" to 0.4020" but care loading them goes a long ways to maintain the coating integrity without shaving it off while seating the bullets.  Seat without any closure of the casing against the bullet while it is moving down into the casing.  With My RCBS taper crimp die I have to lift it at least 1/8" (I use a spacer ring) to stop the squeezing inward while I seat without any crimp applied.  I then crimp in a separate step to finish.

Good luck!

I measured and all of the 180gr I received measure between .4001 and .4005.  Is this a problem?

They will likely shoot well, as they are.  You may find them less accurate that a tighter fitting bullet, from the factory barrel.

Your powder charge and pressure my actually obdurate the base to help provide a tighter seal to the bore.  Test them to see how well they work out.

For lead removal I use the old Lewis/Hoppe's Lead Removal tool system for three calibers.  Its a pull through tool with a copper screen.  For minor leading I wrap some copper chore boy pad around a .40/.41 cal cleaning brush.  Dont buy the steel/copper coated pads that are cheaper.

I use the 180 gr TCG from Bayou Bullets.  Looks to be using the same coating as the Prarie's.  Comes in 3 colors and have never had any leading in any of my 10's.   They have been very accurate.  No residue left behind in my barrels that I've seen in the last year.

I second the other recommendations.   I was using a Lee carbide pistol die set.  Now I use a Dillon.   Separate bullet seat and very minimal - almost non-existent - crimp.

I take a  loaded bullet, put it in my Lyman bullet puller and extract the bullet.   If the coating is damaged, then there is too much crimp.   Same process I use for copper plated bullets.