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Post by longoval on May 8, 2023 21:13:17 GMT -5
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Post by longoval on May 8, 2023 21:13:45 GMT -5
The pictures tell the story. Fired, unsized brass is still used-- it must be a slip fit for the cylinder being used. After charging the cases with an appropriate amount of Trailboss, a bullet is partially seated. Fermin used a vice rather than a press for this step. Then a good amount of lapping compound is applied liberally with a flathead screwdriver to the exposed part of the bullet. It is then fully seated, again with the vice.
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Post by bigbore5 on May 9, 2023 6:26:44 GMT -5
It does seem simpler, if I could find some Trailboss. Stuff's gotten pretty rare nowadays. A mouse fart load of Red Dot will have to do it for now.
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Post by bigbore5 on May 9, 2023 6:33:11 GMT -5
Btw, do you have to powder coat the bullets first? I usually lube all mine now.
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Post by bula on May 9, 2023 7:20:46 GMT -5
I'm thinking the bullets, that method to be on the soft side, and not PC'd. Correct me if wrong.
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Post by 2 Dogs on May 9, 2023 10:04:39 GMT -5
I was having trouble making firelapping ammunition for the 45 Auto Rim. The case wall thickness plus the diameter of the bullet was too big for the chamber. I ended up sizing the bullet down so I could get the ammunition to chamber. Using the Ram on my RCBS press I discovered I was having difficulty keeping everything straight and when the case mouth got to the grease groove on the bullet the Ram made it difficult to keep consistent pressure so I could seat the bullet exactly like I wanted. More, the case mouth itself was scraping the sides of the grit impregnated bullet. I tried the vise and had much better results.
I use a half case of Trail Boss in an unsized slip fit case. Keep in mind if you’re going to fire lap a longer barrel you need enough powder to exit your barrel. I used PC bullets here because they were what I had on hand and they are also pretty soft. I start the bullet in the case by hand as straight as possible. Then I use the vise to press the bullet into the case just short of the crimp and grease groove. I use a screwdriver to load lapping grit into the grease groove and crimp groove. I scrape off the excess and use the vise to seat the bullet so all the lapping compound covered. This is also keeping the lapping compound out of the powder. Chamber check for fit. If one gets hard to chamber I touch it with my crimp die until it will. Recovered slugs show plenty of grit impregnating the bullet. I get a good amount of compound on the muzzle. This works. It’s cleaner and more consistent. I can prepare ammunition and let it sit without worrying that the compound will foul my powder.
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gcf
.30 Stingray
South Texas
Posts: 290
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Post by gcf on May 9, 2023 14:58:00 GMT -5
So if I'm understanding correctly, using the new & improved method, the lapping bullets are NOT embedded first. Is that correct?
I will say that the steel embedding plates process, has always struck me, as a royal PITA. Cramped fingers, compound everywhere, & as mentioned, the bullet OD increases to the point that chambering gets snug. Haven't had to size bullets down yet, but I could see it being needed.
Great idea seating with a vice - as opposed to the big bolt (or seating die) BTW.
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Post by 2 Dogs on May 9, 2023 17:52:00 GMT -5
So if I'm understanding correctly, using the new & improved method, the lapping bullets are NOT embedded first. Is that correct? I will say that the steel embedding plates process, has always struck me, as a royal PITA. Cramped fingers, compound everywhere, & as mentioned, the bullet OD increases to the point that chambering gets snug. Haven't had to size bullets down yet, but I could see it being needed. Great idea seating with a vice - as opposed to the big bolt (or seating die) BTW. With this process there is no need to roll the bullets before loading. Recovered bullets plainly show that they are well impregnated as the compound is squeezed out of the grease grooves. More, the muzzle clearly shows a ring of compound which tells me that the compound is making it out of the barrel. This is a much cleaner process.
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Odin
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,027
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Post by Odin on May 9, 2023 20:41:36 GMT -5
So if I'm understanding correctly, using the new & improved method, the lapping bullets are NOT embedded first. Is that correct? I will say that the steel embedding plates process, has always struck me, as a royal PITA. Cramped fingers, compound everywhere, & as mentioned, the bullet OD increases to the point that chambering gets snug. Haven't had to size bullets down yet, but I could see it being needed. Great idea seating with a vice - as opposed to the big bolt (or seating die) BTW. With this process there is no need to roll the bullets before loading. Recovered bullets plainly show that they are well impregnated as the compound is squeezed out of the grease grooves. More, the muzzle clearly shows a ring of compound which tells me that the compound is making it out of the barrel. This is a much cleaner process. Fermin, I know powder coated slugs were used in this example because they were on hand, but what about traditional lube? Any need to lube at all?
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Post by 2 Dogs on May 9, 2023 21:35:51 GMT -5
With this process there is no need to roll the bullets before loading. Recovered bullets plainly show that they are well impregnated as the compound is squeezed out of the grease grooves. More, the muzzle clearly shows a ring of compound which tells me that the compound is making it out of the barrel. This is a much cleaner process. Fermin, I know powder coated slugs were used in this example because they were on hand, but what about traditional lube? Any need to lube at all? Nope. The lapping compound becomes the lube. It forms a “grease laden abrasive” between the bullet lead and the barrel steel and quite simply does its work.
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Post by stubshaft on May 10, 2023 1:00:21 GMT -5
I've used both methods to firelap barrels. The key element is to use mousefart loads that will absolutly not lead the barrel. I used a 4 compound kit from NECO to do my revolvers and poured laps for some of my rifle barrels.
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Post by Markbo on May 15, 2023 11:41:10 GMT -5
I need to try this. 2dogs, which grits do you recommend?
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Post by longoval on May 15, 2023 12:22:54 GMT -5
I am guessing the Beartooth compound may be relabeled 320 grit Clover compound.
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Post by 2 Dogs on May 15, 2023 12:30:55 GMT -5
I need to try this. 2dogs, which grits do you recommend? Pic sent via text.
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Post by Gunny268 on May 16, 2023 9:11:46 GMT -5
2dogs, I've got a bunch of Veral's fire-lapping compound left. Would that also work for this "new" method? Or, should I try a finer grit compound.
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