Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

I was just wondering if I am just imaginining things? After firing off 35 rounds of cast 240gr. reloads out of my Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle yesterday I could not believe how dirty it was. It was still shooting well, but dirty as could be. Is this due to the lube they put on the bullets burning up in the barrel, or are lead bullets just way dirtier than the jacketed ones? I know that in the 22's the lead bullets always foul quicker in it too. Maybe this is just common knowledge, but I thought that I would throw it out there and maybe somebody would have some tips for me.

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

No they are not more dirty. What powder are you using? Is it a clean or dirty powder? Are you sure you got all the fouling out of the barrel before you shot the cast bullets? Tom.

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

Well, using cast bullets can result in a dirtier weapon after firing - usually a handgun- because lead itself tends to smear off and dirty things up, (you can write notes on a piece of paper with a cast bullet) AND cast bullets often are loaded tolower pressures than a lot of jacketed ammo - this may cause incomplete combustion and more dirt.

In addition, the lubricant on the bullets sometimes burns, (depending on what the lube is), and the carbon from that source can be "greasy-dirty" as well.

After firing tons of .38 Special factory lead-bullet wadcutter target ammo, a lot of it in semiautos, I can state that some lead-bullet ammo is pretty dirty stuff..... home-made or factory production!

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

The guys have already covered what I've read and discovered in my limited experience. Powder can make a big difference. Blue-dot is usually dirty. (and big flash out of pistol!!!!!) But the pressure behind the bullet can make a difference too. Too much and you can have alot of leading. Not enough and you've got left over residues from the powder. Cast bullets are fun 'cause they make finding that perfect load just a bit more tricky.

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

By dirty it sounds like you mean carbon fouled. Usually people use faster powders with cast, than jacketed, and alot of the faster powders can be dirty. For instance, my 44 mag 240gr cast load is 10gr of Unique. Dirty as all get out. My 240gr XTP load is 23.5gr of H110. Usually a very clean load.

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

The 35 reloads that I shot where 240gr Meister cast bullets with 21gr or H110 powder. I think that what seemed so dirty to me was the residue left from the lube on the bullets themselves and being burnt by the next round that came through. Idunno for sure, thats why I posted this to you guys who are more experienced than I. I dont think that it was lead fowling or powder residue, it was just a greasy dirty stuff that came out when I cleaned the gun. The lube on these bullets is a blue waxey substance.

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

If that's what it is, it means the lube is working well. A lubed bullet will leave a lot of its lube in the barrel to lube the barrel for the next shot, the lube keeps the lead from the bullet from soldering itself to the bore. Cleaning lube out is easy and beats the heck out of trying to get lead deposits out.

BTW, if you get any leading- it looks like grayish streaks in the grooves, get a 'lead removal' cloth, cut patches out of it and use them to clean the lead out of the barrel. To prevent this from happening in the future, try dipping the bullets to the top of the driving bands in lee Liquid alox, its messy and stinky, but its probably the best lube out there.

RE: Is it just my imagination, or are cast bullets way dirtier than factory ammo?
 

Thanks for the words of advice. I just reloaded another 5 rounds from the same bag of bullets and yeah, these bullets are old and the waxey lube is just dried out and flaking all over the place. Luckily they are still shooting good, but at the same time the wax being all over the bullets is what is causing the barrel to get so dirty. I can only imagine how the magazine tube is going to look after a few more outings. I enjoy reloading the stuff, but man is it messy.