Best way to get the lead out?

natesfitness

natesfitness

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I've been shooting cast exclusively in my Marlin 1895 microgroove. With close inspection it looks like I have a fair bit of lead build-up. I clean my rifles every time after use, but it looks like I wasn't doing a good enough good.

What the best way to get the lead buildup out of my barrel? I've tried Hopps #9 and Gunzilla, both haven't really done much, every time I drag a brass brush down the bore I pick up more lead traces and fouling, even with letting them sit overnight. Thanks all,
 
I find Hopps #9 is good for cleaning powder residue and is gentle on the gun's finish. Barnes CR-10 or Outers Lead Out is much better for cleaning lead out of the barrel.
 
Don't fire jacketed over lead, that does not get the lead out. The barrel becomes copper fouled over the lead fouling.

Buy a brass sponge. remove a strand of brass wire and wrap that around an old bore brush. A few times through the barrel should remove the lead. Since brass is softer then steel it will not scratch your bore.


good luck.
 
getting the lead out

Google (lewis lead remover) or wrap an old worn out bronze phosphor brush with a small piece of brass/bronze pot scrubber pad and hoppes bore cleaner ! If you are getting severe leading , slug your barrel and size 1-2 thou over groove diameter !
 
jasonburnsdundee said:
Don't fire jacketed over lead, that does not get the lead out. The barrel becomes copper fouled over the lead fouling.

Buy a brass sponge. remove a strand of brass wire and wrap that around an old bore brush. A few times through the barrel should remove the lead. Since brass is softer then steel it will not scratch your bore.


good luck.
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Buddy I've been shooting cast bullets for 40+ years and using jacketed bullets to clear the bore. If you don't believe me try shooting into a backstop and retrieve your slugs and you will be amazed at how much lead is hanging on that copper jacket. Never had one "Copper" fouled like that yet. So before you POO POO some ones suggestion I suggest you get out of your parents basement and try it.
 
I keep my eye out for the brass scrubbers in the dollar store, they sell the steel ones most of the time but I have never tried those yet.
I just cut a small bit of the brass pad and place in front of my cleaning rod.
It works very well for my marlin.

The first time I tried it was after using butches bore shine and when i thought I had all the fouling out I passed one through using the pad and I put my hand out the other end to see if any thing will come out.
I was surprised to see lead slivers pop out.

Now it’s a routine for me, I clean out the entire powder residue with whatever chemical cleaner I have on hand until the patches stop coming out black.

And once that is done 2 or 3 passes with the brass pad takes care of any possible lead in the barrel.

I do this sort of cleaning usually after a day at the range after shooting about 200 to 300 cast boolits out of my guide gun.

I place a white sheet of paper under the muzzle which shows specs of dirt very clearly if there are any.
 
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jasonburnsdundee said:
Don't fire jacketed over lead, that does not get the lead out. The barrel becomes copper fouled over the lead fouling.


Firing jacketed bullets to get a bit of lead out of the barrel is certainly an accepted procedure. It has worked for me in revolvers and is the easiest, simplest way to do it that I know of.
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I have a 38-55 that I shoot a fair bit of cast in, and on the rare occasions that lead fouling has appeared, a couple of Jacketed bullets has cleared it right out with no issues whatsoever. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Try this out fr cleaning your barrels. I tried the bore cleaner that used the 6/2 amp 12v charger and it worked very well. It even cleaned up an old enfield of my grandfathers that probably hadn't been cleaned since ww2. lol.

http ://www. surplusrifle.com/ reviews/copperout/index.asp
 
broncoo said:
vinegar and peroxide
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Yes, I tried that method, also. Not long ago I took a 22 rimfire on trade and later noticed I could hardly see through the barrel! I used to think a 22 rimfire would not lead, because of the lubricated bullets the loading companies used. In fact, in a lifetime of shooting, I never before saw a 22 barrel leaded up, and this one was extreme, plus.
I found the vinigar and peroxide formula. Being somewhat of a skeptic, I put some of the mixture in a small container, pried a 22 bullet from a cartridge and put it in the mixture. A few hours later the mixture was black and the bullet partly eaten. Next morning there was a black mixture and no 22 bullet.
Only thing was the instructions I got through Google, stated to only leave it in the barrel for a few minutes, it stated that some barrels could be damaged. Well, I had nothing to lose, the rifle was no good that way, so I plugged the breech end and poured the misture in the muzzle. Next morning about two thirds of the lead was gone. One more long session and what was left was easily taken out with a brush and Hoppes #9.
The barrel looks beautiful now.
 
If I'm going to try the jacketed bullet route before anything else, it brings me to one more question. Do any of the sponsors sell .458 jacketed bullets for a decent price?
 
Plug the barrel and fill er up with mercury... ha ha funny... that was old school. Fire jacketed bullets through and most of the fowling will be gonzo...unless the bore is rust pitted.
 
Shooting a few jacketed bullets is fine.
I like to shoot some gas checked wheel weight bullets to keep the bore shiny and bright.
Bullet lube has lots to do with leading problems.
My marlin micro groove does not have a leading issue.
 
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