drgrant said:Add to this what I call "filthy firearm syndrome". I've only run lead a few
times in my autos.... And it ended up doubling or tripling the amount of time
required to clean the gun completely. Of course it probably depends on the type, hardness, etc, of the lead bullets being used... and some calibers probably
"lead" up barrels a lot more than others do.
-Mike
The lube can dirty-up the gun pretty good but lead shouldn't be a problem.
I've fired over 1000 rounds of lead through my 4506 (.45 ACP) with no leading of the barrel at all. I run hard cast lead only (swaged lead is much softer), and the .45 ACP does not develop the pressure/speed necessary to lead up the barrel. The only leading you'll get (in a non-pitted barrel) with a .45 ACP will be from loads that are not hot enough! The trick is to make the load hot enough so that the base of the bullet expands and prevents the hot gas from melting the side of the bullet and depositing the lead into the rifling.
After shooting a few hundred rounds of lead, I'll fire a magazine of jacketed bullets and that takes care of any lead in the barrel.
FYI- The Lyman book is the best source for load data for lead bullets.