All copper bullets
For instance on a 150 gr. bullet how do they get the weight without using lead on the all copper bullets by some manufacturers? It's got me baffled. Thanks for any info. Terrill.
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They are longer. 0 -
I would suspect, just guessing that is. They are using a copper alloy that contains a higher than normal percentage of lead. I do know when our shop orders copper material that requires stud welding that we have to specify a lead free copper as most ordinary copper alloys do contain lead a percentage of lead. Lead blends very easily with almost any other material even stainless steel 303-L SS contains lead just so that is easier on machine tools. So it would not surprise me that they are simply specing a high lead content when they order or blend the copper alloy themselves. Just my thoughts! 0 -
As copper weighs less than lead, it is true that making the bullet longer can be used to achieve the same weight. I don't know how a true copper-lead alloy would work relative to fouling problems that might occur at high velocity, it would be interesting to know about how any formulas may have worked. 0 -
How about making the jacket thicker and thinner according to the finish weight.
Emmett0 -
quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
How about making the jacket thicker and thinner according to the finish weight.
Emmett
Then it wouldn't be an all copper bullet, it would be a lead core bullet.0 -
338magnut,
"how do they get the weight without using lead on the all copper bullets by some manufacturers?"
In order to maintain the same weight as jacketed/lead bullets, solid copper or mono-metallic bullets have to be made longer. This is a simple fact.
Solid copper bullets have shown a great deal of fouling when fired at useful velocities. While most solid copper bullets are generally referred to as being all copper, they usually contain a small amount of zinc for hardness and lubricity. Other techniques have been employed to reduce fouling and surface contact while maintaining contact with the lands and gas sealing. These design features are put into a category of 'banded' bullets. Friction is reduced because the grooves are deeper than the lands so the lands will not contact the bottom of the grooves and use just the band as the driving feature.
These are examples of a few manufacturers advertising solid copper bullets. Their websites have photographs and descriptions of the various styles:
Nosler
Nosler engineers used the same gilding-metal copper alloy on the E-Tip that they use to make the AccuBond. Called 210 alloy, it consists of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc. Its solid construction means it holds together well for deeper penetration. In fact, Winchester claims over 90-percent weight retention for the E-Tip bullet.
E-Tip is even harder than a copper bullet, the zinc acts as sort of a lubricant, so fouling is much less than with a solid-copper bullet. Winchester's Lubalox coating also helps in the fouling department.
Barnes TSX
The Barnes TSX is a solid-copper bullet with circumferential grooves in the straight, bore-bearing section of the bullet. In the .30-caliber 180-grain bullet there are four grooves that measure smaller than the nominal .300-inch bore diameter for most .30-caliber barrels. The bottom of the grooves in the Barnes 180-grain TSX bullet I measured ran about .291 to .292 inch, depending on the groove's position along the bullet shank. Firing tests showed that the bottoms of these bullet grooves were not normally engraved by a barrel's rifling during firing. This greatly reduces the bearing surface of the bullet. The bullet also has a boattail.
Lehigh Bullets
The .338 Match is a premium match bullet specifically designed for the .338 Lapua. The bullet is designed for magazine feeding with an overall cartridge length of 3.602. The required barrel twist rate for stability with a muzzle velocity greater than 2,800 fps is 1:12. The bullet is machined from UNSC36000 brass. The advanced projectile design and controlled manufacturing tolerances advance the accuracy potential of these cartridges. Weight - 230 grains BC (calculated) - 0.641 Length - 1.600 Design velocity - 2,800-3,500 Material - UNSC36000 brass
The .510 Solid Copper Subsonic Expansion bullet is designed for devastating expansion at subsonic velocities. The four petal nose expands completely upon contact and maintains intact to complete penetration. This bullet is an excellent choice for those hunting with cartridges including the .50 Alaskan, .50 Peacekeeper , and .510 Whisper. The bullet can not be used in the .50 BMG as they will expand at velocities greater than 1,600 fps. Weight - 680 grains BC (calculated) - 0.438 Length - 2.057 Design velocity - 1,050 Material - UNSC110000 copper.
North Fork Bullets
Bullet Design:
All North Fork bullets start from a bar of solid copper and are individually turned on a CNC lathe for the utmost in precision. Pure copper is more difficult and time-consuming to machine, but it holds together better under impact than gilded copper jackets. All North Fork bullets utilize Smart Band Technology (SBTT) to reduce bore fouling and pressure.
Best.0 -
nononsense, you have made my day! Thanks for your post! 0 -
nononsense,
Is that E-Tip a product of Combined Technologies?
Best0 -
No Nonsense, even though I didn't ask the question I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post the reply. It actually answered a completely different question I never bothered posting cause I didn't think anyone knew the answer 0 -
Well I asked the question about solid copper bullets and got the answer now I am no longer baffled. Thanks to all for the answers. Terrill 0 -
tsr1965,
Yes, the E-Tip is the cooperative venture in bullet design between Winchester and Nosler (Combined Technology). After a few false starts, they have seemingly come up with a good design that can work with the future constraints that are anticipated to be applied to our industry.
This is Hornady's GMX entry into the field:
It's an interesting field, one that we will be given no choice about accepting, but the price points are excessive right now and likely to stay that way. I'm getting Match solids from both Germany and South Africa because the U.S. is decidedly behind that curve and pricing. We're still playing with twist rates and the rifling designs (styles) yet but thing are coming along.
Best.0
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