Leading

teebone51 · Rookie Member Joined: Dec 04, 2008 Posts: 7

If leading occurs in a gun barrell what is the best way to clean the leading out. Im trying to learn everything i can about loading ammo,and every one has been a great help. I would like to thank you all. thanks Teebone

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

I don't think there is any clear cut "best way" to remove leading. It depends a whole lot on how bad the leading is.

Light leading can easily be removed in a few passes with a proper size bore brush and most any bore cleaner/solvent.

Heavier leading can be removed the same way, it just takes longer.

Severe leading which obscures the rifling is much more difficult but it too can be removed with a simple bronze brush and patience. Faster is the kit with copper wire screen used as "patches", by "Lewis" I think. ?? Easiest is the electrical de-plateing device, "Foul-Out", as sold by Outter's if I remember correctly.

For a handgun, guide the rod in your fingers so it cannot rub againsst the muzzle at all or the wear will destroy accuracy.

NOTE: Do NOT use a steel bore brush if you value the barrel.

As for learning all you can, best thing to learn is to avoid leading. That requires a proper sized bullet, full bore diameter or a thou over, certainly not undersize even a smigeon.

Use a really good bullet lube; NRA formula with Allox/bee's wax, 50:50.

Keep velocities well under 1000 fps with most soft alloy bullets. Most commercial (swaged) bullet are too soft to be driven hard.

Cast bullets of PROPER harder alloys can be driven much faster, up to 1700 fps is pretty easy, faster if you work at it and without serious leading.

Gas checked (cast) bullets help resist bore leading too.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Leading

I know we've discussed this somewhere in these forums before but...

I use Shooter's Choice Lead Remover >> www.shooters-choice.co...mover.html

I also use the wire screen Wncchester mentioned. I've had mine so long I can't remember who made it though.

chambered221 · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Leading

The use of a good penetrating oil such as Kroil and a bore brush !!!

Vince · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Leading

I think wncchester has pretty much covered it all.

By and far, prevention is much better than cure, and again wncchester covered that.

At the end of the day, if you have leading in your barrel, nothing beats good old fashioned elbow grease with a bronze brush and a quality bore/lead solvent of which there are many brands.

I have never actually tried it, but if memory serves me correctly, there is a very strong following for Ed's Red solvent for removing lead. Do a search of the archives for the subject...it has been covered here on more than one occasion.

Cheers, Vince

Handloader · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: Leading

The Lewis Lead Remover is the brand name of one of the kits that "Pumpkinslinger" references. The same kit is also available under the Hoppes brand. It is effective. A more inexpensive way to achieve the same results is to buy Chore Boy copper scouring pads, strip off some and wrap it around a bore brush. Now, as "chambered221" mentions, use this method with Kroil and the job can become easier. Hoppes also offers a liquid solution lead remover. All of these still require varying degrees of elbow grease.

Previously, I have described the useage of mercury to remove any vestige of leading in three minutes, a method used by many that shoot quantities of lead/swaged bullets. Observe basic precautions and it is a safe, inexpensive and fast process (I have used the same mercury for over four decades). Do not use if you have been too far under the influence of the politically correct nazis.

Gil Martin · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Removing leading

It depends. Use a good solvent like Shooters Choice followed by J B Bore Cleaner on a brush then more solvent patches. The most effective products I have found to remove severe leading is Remington Bore Cleaner on a cloth wrapped around a brush. The final solution is Lead Wiping Cloth around a brush. This has worked for me. All the best...
Gil

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

"..mercury to remove any vestige of leading in three minutes.. Do not use if you have been too far under the influence of the politically correct nazis."

Roger that! My mercury supply is about 40 years old, think it's very hard to get and very expensive if you can find it now. That's why I didn't mention it as an option!

Even as a kid, I always suspected it would be bad to drink mercury.

The PC/Green police don't want us to have that option for killing ourselves anymore. Like a lot of other things the gov has forbidden, mercury is/was quite safe when used correctly but govmint activists couldn't stand for us to have it any longer. Just too much personal freedom for then to allow it any more, all for our own good of course.