Leading on cylinder face and top strap

[DownRangeDan]

I have been shooting a 200 gn Lee bullet in 44 special with HP38 powder. I am getting leading on the cylinder face and the top strap that is apparently spraying out the gap between the cylinder and barrel. I have not noticed any significant leading in the barrel. I am assuming that the base of the bullet is melting. This is a low power plinking load. Is this perhaps a function of the powder burn rate?

[Outpost75]

It sounds to me like your bullets are undersized and are not sealing the cylinder throats.

Have you checked bullet fit in your CYLINDER?

[gnostic]

Nothing unusual about the leading you described. Your bullets might be too soft.

[DownRangeDan]

I will check this. Also, this is 44 special being shot in a 44 magnum cylinder. Could it be gap around the bullet during the time it takes the bullet to jump to the throat?

[NC_JEFF]

I'm with Outpost, fit first. Have you tried this same bullet in a magnum case with this powder? Which powder are you using?
Jeff

[DownRangeDan]

I'm using HP38

[Nueces]

I used to get the very same leading when shooting the old Remington swaged 45 Colt bullets over 8/Unique. They were pretty large, 0.456" or so, and threw off a lot of spray entering the small forcing cone on a 2nd gen Cot SAA. What a mess. It got better after I reswaged them to 0.452" in a CH-101 die set.

[Outpost75]

I will check this. Also, this is 44 special being shot in a 44 magnum cylinder. Could it be gap around the bullet during the time it takes the bullet to jump to the throat?

YES! That is most likely "it."

[DownRangeDan]

I will try the same load in 44 Magnum brass and see if it makes a difference.

[varmintpopper]

Another possibility,, Lead shaving caused by barrel/Cylinder alignment.

Good Shooting

Lindy