Lead versus Plated bullets

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Honey Badger

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So I have been studying up on load data for both .38 special, and .357 magnum. I am seeing different minimum and maximum loads for lead and plated bullets. So here’s the dumb question of the day. What is the difference in the two that changes load data? I mean besides the obvious? Thanks in advance.
 

bambihunter

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Basically what HiredHand said. Also, due to that friction, lead will tend to stick and smear onto the barrel. That is largely what gas checks were to prevent. I can load my 10mm auto at ~75% power using plated bullets. I stick below that for all lead. Berry's state they can go higher, but I could see they were starting to deform and leading when pushed. I think they'd be perfect for slower rounds like .45 acp.
 

Fyrtwuck

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Also consider that the powder load for the extra velocity generates more heat. I made the mistake during my casting days of loading .357 too hot with bullets that were too soft. It takes a long time to get lead out of the rifling.
 

Honey Badger

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Also consider that the powder load for the extra velocity generates more heat. I made the mistake during my casting days of loading .357 too hot with bullets that were too soft. It takes a long time to get lead out of the rifling.

I understand. I am assuming that based on this information leading shouldn’t be a problem for 38 or 357.

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Fyrtwuck

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That was back in the early days of my casting. I was using only wheel weights. After cleaning the lead out of my barrel a few times I backed off the powder to puff target loads and the leading decreased significantly.
 

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