Shooting Copper and Lead

[Muley Buck]

Is there any problems that might occur regarding the bore of the rifle, shooting lead bullets (ELD-X's), then shooting copper solids (Barnes, Hammer, Lehigh, Cutting Edge) afterwards? Or vice versa?

 

[deerkiller]

First, most cup & core bullets have a "copper or gilding metal" jacket but yes, all copper bullets should begin life in YOUR rifle with a shiny clean, free of fouling barrel - Some of the "monolithic bullets" are not actually "copper" but a mix commonly referred to as "100% gilding metal", I believe Hornady GMX are that and possibly Nosler's Etip but in any case it's always a great idea to clean the bore to shiny before launching a new "bullet work up"
Hornady's INTERBOND, Nosler's ACCUBOND and other BONDED CORE bullets is the middle ground that most of us prefer or love

 

[Muley Buck]

I see, well I'm planning on shooting Lehigh controlled chaos bullets and I have been and will continue to shoot the Hornady ELD line in other states where legal. The only reason I am switching it up is because California mandates non lead for hunting now. The Lehigh bullets are solid copper and not gilding metal, as per Lehigh. I've heard to clean before a different/new slug as you say but I couldn't really figure out why? This probably sounds pragmatic but, it's all copper running down the tube right? Or is it just a clean or don't clean your bore issue? Which has been hashed out to death.

 

[BuckSnort]

Just shot this morning was just doing a tall target test for a new scope.. Anyway I started off with 200 rounds of Ballistic tips then worked up a load of Barnes TTSX.. Seems to be plenty accurate and smoking fast... Rifle is a Tikka T3 lie in 270 WSM...

 

[Muley Buck]

Just shot this morning was just doing a tall target test for a new scope.. Anyway I started off with 200 rounds of Ballistic tips then worked up a load of Barnes TTSX.. Seems to be plenty accurate and smoking fast... Rifle is a Tikka T3 lie in 270 WSM...

Nice, looks like you have a nice load there!
So I take it no cleaning between the two different bullets shot then?

 

[BuckSnort]

Nice, looks like you have a nice load there!
So I take it no cleaning between the two different bullets shot then?

Thanks, so far so good.. I cleaned then ran 70 rounds of ballistic tips then re zero'd for the TTSX.. No cleaning between the two...

 

[Flatgo]

I’ve always read that if you shoot a bullet that’s jacket is made gilding metal then pure copper you’ll accelerate the copper fouling since gilding metal is harder. I don’t think there will be any long term problems but may cause you to scrub your barrel longer. I personally like to clean between shooting different types of bullets for this reason