Model 52 Leading Problem

Hi All,

I have a M52-2 which I would like to use for center fire.  The problem I have is that the chamber gets lead deposits very quickly which causes the spent case to stick resulting in failure to eject. After about 50 rounds I start getting ejection problems. This happened with the original factory barrel, and is still happening with a Clark 52 1:10 twist barrel.  The load I am using is the Roze Distribution 148 GR WCHB reloads. A few questions....

Would WCDE lead less that WCHB?
Would plated WC 38 special be accurate?  I think Atlanta arms sells them but I heard they are not accurate.
Any other loads out there which would lead less?

Best,

Joe

I had a problem with Zero 148 HBWC a couple years ago. They leaded bore horribly. Try Magnus 148's.
Jon

If you have a lot of the leading kind, my suggestion is to buy some “45-45-10” or just Lee Liquid Alox and relive them in that. You can strip .org the old lube with mineral spirits.

https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13

Thanks for the responses so soon.  Any ideas for someone who cant reload.  I am buying the Roze Distribution 148 GR WCHB reloaded ammunition.  Looking for some alternative which will not lead the barrel.  The Magnus bullets need someone who reloads.

No guarantees but Precision Delta also sells loaded ammo with their bullet.
I’d be amazed that anything AA is loading wouldn’t be accurate!!

I have a Benelli .32 wadcutter that does the same thing. After 50 or so rounds I start getting failures to extract. I brush the chamber with a 9mm bronze brush every 10 rounds and it works fine. On a .38, maybe use a .40 brush?

My suggestion is to deep clean the chamber and follow-up with one of the super lube treatments that is supposed to "get in to the pores of the metal". I'm thinking that the chamber has never really been cleaned down to the bare metal and the new lead is sticking to the old lead.

If you want to try one of the coatings I'd highly recommend Dyna Tek.  I've had some very good results with it on rough rifle bores.. been around quite a while. Just follow the instructions to the Tee

If you don’t reload then there is this option. No leading and functioned fine in my 52.

https://www.ammosupplywarehouse.com/west/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=550

What is your load, and how are you loading it? Solf bullets can be a challenge.

Try some unresized shells and see how that works...

bruce martindale wrote:What is your load, and how are you loading it? Solf bullets can be a challenge.

Try some unresized shells and see how that works...

He doesn’t reload

Jon Eulette wrote:I had a problem with Zero 148 HBWC a couple years ago. They leaded bore horribly. Try Magnus 148's.
Jon

I'm pretty sure the Magnus swaged 148 is the same as tjr Zero 148. Pretty sure all of Terry's swaged and JHP bullets are rebranded Zero bullets, he does make all the cast varieties.

zanemoseley wrote:

Jon Eulette wrote:I had a problem with Zero 148 HBWC a couple years ago. They leaded bore horribly. Try Magnus 148's.
Jon

I'm pretty sure the Magnus swaged 148 is the same as tjr Zero 148. Pretty sure all of Terry's swaged and JHP bullets are rebranded Zero bullets, he does make all the cast varieties.

+1

Magnus have not leaded my bores. In 2013 I spoke with Zero owner at Perry. He said they did have a batch that was problematic at one time.
Jon

Zero 148 new ammo leads my barrel in front of the chamber. My reloads with Magnus swaged 148 with 45-45-10 tumble lube in large sized 38 spl brass does not.

The Zero loading method gives a smaller OD for the brass than my reloads. My reloading process does not resize the Magnus bullets.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  There is plenty for me to work on in here for the next several months.

I had leading problems with every lead bullet I used until I bought some Remington HBWC bullets. Not a bit of leading with them. Since you don't reload, how about trying some Remington factory loads?

Kp321 wrote:I had leading problems with every lead bullet I used until I bought some Remington HBWC bullets. Not a bit of leading with them. Since you don't reload, how about trying some Remington factory loads?

Now unobtainium.

I've never shot these before.

Target Sports USA
Remington Performance Wheelgun 38 Special Ammo 148 Grain Targetmaster Lead WC

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/remington-performance-wheelgun-38-special-ammo-148-grain-targetmaster-lead-wc-rpw38s3-p-109308.aspx


Atlanta Arms has 
Elite 38 Special 148GR HBWC PPC
https://atlantaarms.com/products/products-38-special-148gr-hbwc-ppc-html/

I read this twice and I'm still confused. If your talking about leading in the chamber (not lead in the bore). Then isn't the problem more likely how the round is chambering as opposed to what it's doing after it's fired? I would suspect that your store bought rounds could be a little proud or the case entry angle could be adjusted at the magazine. My loads would only have brass making contact with the chamber. I suppose a very light recoil spring could also be the culprit. Just my .02

Len

Sa-tevp wrote:I've never shot these before.

Target Sports USA
Remington Performance Wheelgun 38 Special Ammo 148 Grain Targetmaster Lead WC

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/remington-performance-wheelgun-38-special-ammo-148-grain-targetmaster-lead-wc-rpw38s3-p-109308.aspx


Atlanta Arms has 
Elite 38 Special 148GR HBWC PPC
https://atlantaarms.com/products/products-38-special-148gr-hbwc-ppc-html/

Wonder what bullet the “wheel gun” uses!

they also have the standard Target in stock.. I suspect it's all the same ammo as both are listed at 710FPS.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/remington-target-38-special-ammo-148-grain-lead-wadcutter-match-rtg38s3-p-4106.aspx

jglenn21 wrote:they also have the standard Target in stock.. I suspect it's all the same ammo as both are listed at 710FPS.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/remington-target-38-special-ammo-148-grain-lead-wadcutter-match-rtg38s3-p-4106.aspx

They must have just listed it as it wasn't showing earlier this morning when I searched "In Stock".

Greetings,

Here is a test target of Remington Commercial someone gifted me.

Fired at 50 yards via the barrel tester.

An S&W K-38 barrel modified to fit the fixture chambered with a SAAMI WadCutter chamber.



The new Remington is not the quality of the "good old stuff".

Test fire a box before buying a full case.

Here is an image of Grandpa's Remington Commercial issued by the Army from the 1960's...



Cheers,

Dave

Dave, If I sent you a couple of handfuls of my reloads would you be willing to run them thru your test barrel? Or, I plan on being at the Regionals next month..

Len