cleaning after shooting cast bullets

[bheadboy]

I shoot a lot of cast bullet in pistols, been doing so since the 1940's hard habit to break,

?? on occasion I get leading -- in the higher velocity calibers over 1000-1100 fps.

in the past I have scrubbed and gotten out ok, is there something new on the market to help remove leading today?

Bob

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I use a tornado brush. Some might shiver at the thought but the lead sprays out the muzzle like liquid. I also replace those barrels way more often than most so it may not work in your application

 

[JRR]

I use cast bullets up to 2400 fps in rifles and 1250 fps in handguns. I soak the bore with Kroil, available from Brownells and midway. After soaking, it penetrates under the lead deposits and will then brush and patch out easily.
Jeff

 

[bheadboy]

I have the Krol oil and also the turbo bursh, seems I am doing what can be done,

I use 357m at 1250 an 30-06 at 2000 and enjoy the smoke
thanks for your input.


Bob

 

[XTR]

I have the Krol oil and also the turbo bursh, seems I am doing what can be done,

I use 357m at 1250 an 30-06 at 2000 and enjoy the smoke
thanks for your input.


Bob

Castboolits Wealth of information about galena. and also the "holy black" if you are so inclined.

 

[chkunz]

I shot cast bullets many years ago and tried a lot of things to remove the lead but the easiest thing was to shoot a few jacketed bullets and that was easy and worked well. I also used a Lewis Lead Remover and that worked well also, with it you pull a brass patch thru the barrel and it scrubs out the lead mechanically.

 

[chkunz]

Another point that I remember is that it is important what hardness and velocity you use for the bullet. If you get the bullet material too hard and shoot it too fast you get a lot of lead in the bore. If you stay with the softer 1 in 20 alloy and keep the velocity down you will not get as much lead in the bore and you will also have better accuracy.

 

[Chuck Walters]

For years I have used a piece of Hoppes Quick Clean Rust and Lead Remover Cloth on the end or the cleaning rod. 5 passes in and out, turn the patch, then 5 more. Tried and true for many years.

 

[K22]

I have also shoot a lot of cast bullets in my revolvers for many years.

The most effective method I found to clean the bore is using Hoppe's No. 9 and Shooter's Choice Lead Remover.

1. First I clean the bore with Hoppe's running 2 solvent soaked patches through to remove the gross fouling and powder residue. I then run a solvent soaked nylon brush through the bore twice to completely saturate the bore. Let stand for at least 30 minutes. Then I run a solvent soaked brass brush 10 times, re-saturate the brush and run it through 10 more times. Next I run 2 solvent saturated patches through followed by 2 to 4 dry patches.

2. I inspect the bore, usually this removes the lead, if it doesn't I repeat the procedure using Shooter's Choice Lead Remover which does a very effective job of removing any remaining lead. After using the Lead Remover I run to alcohol saturated patches down the bore to remove any traces of Lead Remover.

3. Final step is to run two patches of lube through the bore. I use WD-40 unless I'm storing the firearm. If storing it I use Hoppe's Gun Oil.


Shooting Oregon Trail Laser Cast bullets, I can go approximately 300 rounds without cleaning without any fall off in accuracy. I clean after ever 300 rounds just as a matter of practice.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The best way is to not lead the bore in the first place. When you find the right diameter/lube/alloy/bullet combo there shouldnt be a leading issue. I wouldnt shoot a load that leaded, too much work to clean it!

 

[chkunz]

The best way is to not lead the bore in the first place. When you find the right diameter/lube/alloy/bullet combo there shouldnt be a leading issue. I would not shoot a load that leaded, too much work to clean it!

You are absolutely correct! And if you screw up and lead the bore then shoot the lead out with some jacketed bullets and then mechanically scrub the last ruminants out with the Lewis Lead Remover. The chemicals referenced above are feckless with serious leading.

 

[Alan in Vermont]

As has already been mentioned, use as soft an alloy as you can get away with and a big enough bullet to be a tight fit in the bore. That will go along way towards solving a leading problem at the source.

If you do get bore leading the best thing I have found to get it out is a copper scrubbing pad. These are the pads that are made of thin, flat metal strips all wound up in ball.

The ones I use are ChoreBoy brand and are solid copper, that solid part is important, cheap imitations are copper plated steel, NOT the way to go. Pull out one strand of the copper strip and wind it around a bore brush. Use enough to get the brush tight in the bore and force it through the barrel. If there is lead in there it will get peeled out in little flakes. A couple strokes is usually enough if you get the fit tight enough.

Basically a Lewis Lead Remover at a bargain price, I think a box of two pads is around $3 and there's enough in them to last for years.

 

[StevenDzupin]

What T-Rex and Alan have said and I'd like to add, Degrease the barrel and the cleaning equipment first.

Bare Copper, Brass or Bronze has a greaert affinity for Lead/Tin Alloys.

Bronze Wool ( available from McMaster or Boat supply houses ) works very well wrapped around

a cleaning brush too.

Regards,

Steve

 

[bheadboy]

Thanks fellows, your input is good

I have the lewis lead remover, I use a hardness tester and try to stay in the 5-6 range, also use gas checks on 224 and 311291's

I have just found -as you- some bbls are rougher than others and those are the ones I have to work on.. never considered Kroll, so will give it a try

Bob

 

[dantiff2]

I haven't seen anyone specifically name the best product out there yet, so I will

Chore Boy ! This is great for lead! I cut the pad and wrap the strands around a bronze brush. This makes quick work of leading and powder fouling. You can use with an oil or not. Works either way. I have found this in the older (mom and pop) grocery stores and online but not in the "major" big name stores. Do not be confused with the copper coated steel wool stuff. That is probably very harmful to your bores.

http://www.choreboyscrubbers.com/en/Products/Ultimate_Scrubbers_Pure_Copper.aspx


Dan

 

[M14AMU]

Lead Out Cloth!

Tight enough to be 'pounded' through the bore with a mallet!!

 

[CharlieNC]

A number of guys at my club get together and shoot cast several times a week. In fact, one just won the stock rifle class at Raton a couple of months ago while another placed high in another category. They all use a mixture of Eds Red to clean with.

 

[arnie]

I shoot a lot of black powder cartridge rifles and one of mine leads like crazy.I use a stuff called Shiloh Creek bore cleaner .It smells like paint thinner but could be turpentine but doesn't smell like the stuff I have .I use a paper patch cut from those rough paper towels you get at auto supply stores .There a pinkish color .I run that path in so tight it has to be beat through and it really rip the lead out .I think the bore cleaner causes friction that grips the lead .

 

[MrMajestic]

I'll "third" the mention of copper Chore Boy wrapped on a brush for a snug fit.

 

[XTR]

In the end when you are shooting cast the trick is not to lead up in the first place.

Hardness of alloy matched to velocity and getting the right bullet diameter and if you've ever shot copper jacketed in there clean the piss out of it to get the copper out. BPCR guys will tell you that any traces of copper will cause a barrel to lead up fast.