what is the best way to get lead out of a 22 barrel

[Longrange57]

It should never be necessary to go "sawing away on a rod".

If shooters clean after shooting and use a brush regularly, there won't be a problem with lead in the barrel, carbon rings, or anything similarly troublesome.

Never wait until the problem is "up to here" before doing something about it.

See above ....and do it!

 

[Longrange57]

This was the leading problem I had in my bore, until the above:

View attachment 1423745

Might have more than just a lead problem

 

[Tim Slater]

I've seen the copper-jacket-lead removal thing before, but not quite understood it. Is the idea that the copper is just harder enough that it pushes out the lead? And this works even with .22 where the copper is a very thin plating, rather than a true jacket?

 

[Straightshooter1]

I've seen the copper-jacket-lead removal thing before, but not quite understood it. Is the idea that the copper is just harder enough that it pushes out the lead?

Yes. That was the idea I formulated in my mind and it worked.

And this works even with .22 where the copper is a very thin plating, rather than a true jacket?

In my case the thin plating on .22 LR bullets did the job.

I didn't have a leading problem except for the one brand of cartridges (Remington Thunerbolt .22LR's).

 

[Tim Slater]

Thank you. I think I've fired one box of copper-plated .22 in 25 years, so I have no familiarity with these.

 

[Toms]

what do you guys use and your procedure to get the lead out of your 22's

Use Turpentine. It works great. Toms

 

[Longrange57]

Use Turpentine. It works great. Toms

Tom, turpentine is a good idea, especially in light of it being a safe solvent with a fairly high KB value. Its not as high as xylene/toluene and has a better flash point, but with brushing will eventually loosen up the lead/wax/powder residue. We have more going on here than just lead by itself. Turpentine/xylene or toluene at various mixtures does a great job as well. This is why Ed's Red does a good job. You are not dissolving the lead because its always layered with this other garbage.
I recommend a good article put out by NRA Shooting (George Harris) in 2016...."Should you clean your 22LR?" There have been many good suggestions in this thread. However, I'm an advocate of cleaning regularly. Through the years, I've shot my fair share of lead bullets.

 

[Longrange57]

Turpentine has a KB value of 68, Toluene is 105, and Xylene is 95.
Hope this helps.