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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: Lead Bullets |
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I've been shooting some Hornady 240grn SWC's through my .44 mag pistol. This is the first time I've ever loaded or shot anything besides jacketed bullets. What is the best method to remove lead deposits from the bore? Thanks
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Joe Boleo Super Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2006 Posts: 427 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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There are several products that come to mind. I start with Shooters Choice on patches followed by brushing with J.B. Bore Cleaner. If the leading is still evident, I use Lead Wiping Cloth patches on a brush. The next product is Remington Bore Cleaner patches on a brush. Another application of Shooters Choice followed by dry patches and an oil patch. That has always worked for me. Take care...
Koe
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11386 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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If the leading is real bad...Try pieces of brass scrubbing pad on a smaller calibre jag...
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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mikeleduc Member
Joined: Jan 23, 2008 Posts: 69 Location: Phoenix, AZ since 1972
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:49 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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They make a thing called a lead remover. It's basically a wire disc that seems to work OK. The only other thing that seems to work is elbow grease.
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5000 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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Shooter's Choice has a lead removal solvent that helps. I've used the kit with the Wire mesh disks with good sucess too.
Where is the leading? Breech end or muzzle? If at the muzzle you're pushing the bullets too fast or they are too soft. If at the breech end you're not pushing them hard enough or they are too hard. Lots of Cowboy Action shooters use hard cast bullets at low velocities/pressures and get leading at the breech end. For low velocity/pressure loads you need to use a soft bullet so it can obturate correctly. I've considered using a card wad under the bullet for CAS loads to prevent leading but I haven't tried it yet.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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I use a penetrating oil, you'll be suprised at how well it works.
Soak it, let it sit awhile and then use a brush.
Just keep it away from the screws you don't want to loosen
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11386 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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Hi-Ho Silver. Get'em up Scout. Lets go Topper. Up Diablo...Giddy-up Trigger.....
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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Deleted_User_2665 Super Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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GUTS wrote: |
What is the best method to remove lead deposits from the bore? |
Shoot a good lube and a gas checked bullet.......................
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:55 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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First, any lead bullet will lead the bore to one extent or another, even most gas-checked ones, no matter how hard it is. Hornady bullets are swagged, which means that they are quite a bit softer than typical cast bullets so need to be pushed slower than harder bullets to minimize leading. Use swagged bullets for lower pressure practice loads and good cast bullets for full power loads, but still expect a little leading. Besides, some guns just lead easier than others. If you have a bore that seems to lead easily you should either try lapping it or, as wildswalker suggests, try gas-checked bullets.
Second, try to avoid any bevel-based lead bullets since they seem to lead worse than flat-based bullets. Seems like they allow the flame from ignition to push by the base and start etching the bullet sides. Properly sized flat-based bullets obturate (expand) to fill the bore easier allowing a better seal in the bore and usually less leading.
Third, make sure that the lube on the bullets you use is up to the job. You should not see any lube left on any recovered bullets (meaning that it did its job and lubed the bore) and should also see a "star-shaped" pattern of melted lube develop at the muzzle of your firearm after several shots.
I have the best luck with Kroil penetrating oil in removing leading, though any of the above suggestions will work. Just run a patch soaked with it through the bore, wait 10-15 minutes and then run a tight patch through. Sometimes a brass brush helps to get the rest of it, particularly with a rough bore, but often just the Kroil and patch takes care of the problem.
You should also make sure that you have removed all traces of copper-fouling from your bore prior to shooting lead bullets. Lead seems to have an affinity for copper and will build up on these areas much faster than on bare steel.
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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SSL
Thanks, I always wondered about that star shape on the muzzle. I now know what its from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When you recomend penetrating oil for lead removal do you get the same weird look I do?
Glad to finally see someone else using it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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ElyBoy Super Member
Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 1541 Location: Forest Lake Minnesota
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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I have been using Butch's Bore Shine with great results.
Eric
_________________ NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Lead Bullets |
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chambered221,
You bet I do...until they try it. Kroil is the only one I've used so far, but it seems to creep under the lead and a tight patch just pushes it out (assuming the bore isn't a rough one). It seems to bond with the metal and allows more shots between cleanings in some revolvers and definitely in my .45 ACPs.
One thing I forgot to mention is to make sure that your bullet diameter is a close match to your chamber throats. a .429" bullet shot in a cylinder that measures .431" will certainly lead. Best luck has always been bullets sized the same as throat dimensions; otherwise the bullet doesn't expand fast enough to prevent gas-cutting along the sides. A good seal will go a long way toward cutting down on leading.
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.
SSL |
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