Excessive Lead build-up in barrel - 22LR 4.2"

A-Smith

A-Smith

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Hi gang,

I bought an old Beretta 948 from the 50's.

Barrel has been reduced to 4.2".

Had it out for my 2nd shoot with Blazer 22LR.

Now, I have heard stories about Blazer leaving a great deal of lead behind, but I have never had it like this.

After about 60-70 rnds, my shots started key-holing, and point of impact changed dramatically.

When I got home, I couldn't believe how much lead was in the barrel!

I could not feed my bore-snake through - and my bore brush got stuck to the point I had to hammer it through (not just a tap either!)

I had to scrub the Sh*t out of it to get it clean again, once I finally got the brush out!

I guess I'm going to try Jacketed rounds on this pistol next time.

Any one have similar experience? Suggestion? Comments?

Thanks in advance!
 
"...an old Beretta 948..." Might have been dirty when you got it. Anyway, just plug the muzzle and fill the barrel with solvent and let it sit for a few hours. Gives the solvent time to work. Then, after disposing of the solvent correctly, not down the drain, clean as per normal. REpeat a required.
 
Chore Boy" copper scrubbing pad material wrapped around a brass brush should take care of it after loosening up with solvent.
 
Is your Blazer in a bulk box or packed in smaller boxes of 50 within the brick?

I ask because CCI 'fessed up back in the Spring to some bad leading ammo coming out of the factory that produces the bulk packed bricks. But this didn't affect the bricks of 10 smaller packs of 50.
 
I had the same problem with a used revolver that had lead in the barrel when I got it, I spent a lot of time cleaning it out and switched from Blazer to Standard Velocity and never had a problem after that.
 
09outlander said:
Any idea where to find this stuff, I've been looking all over and haven't been able to find it.

Andrew.
Click to expand...

The household cleaning products of any big grocery, Wally's World or Canadian Tire will have this sort of product. Maybe not by actual name but they'll have some sort of brass or copper pot cleaning pads.

Just be sure to take a magnet with you. A LOT of these things are copper platted over steel. So you're looking for the ones that don't stick to a magnet.
 
what you are seeing might be years and years of fouling, of different types of bullets, only god knows what they have shot through that barrel so it could have been plated, lead, FMJ all mixed together without proper cleaning in between different types of bullets.
Lead fouling will come out easily with MPRO 7 cleaner (13 bucks) and solvent, repeat as needed. Now, if the barrel has copper fouling you will not notice any difference in looks.

Fouling increases in layers made of carbon (burnt powder) and lead/copper.

First step is to remove carbon, to get to the layer underneath, then solvent for lead or copper remover for copper fouling, then carbon cleaner, then solvent/copper remover. This will take you several hours.
Do one cyle first, and leave the solvent over night.

Lead and cooper fouling should come out in chunks since it's welded to the grooves. You might be surprised.

Getting the right cleaners (often expensive) is 80% of the fight.
Cheers.
 
skoal said:
Chore Boy" copper scrubbing pad material wrapped around a brass brush should take care of it after loosening up with solvent.
Click to expand...

09outlander said:
Any idea where to find this stuff, I've been looking all over and haven't been able to find it.
Click to expand...

It's a copper scouring pad, looks like a steel wool pad except not. Should be in with the other kitchen cleaning stuff, but it *can* be a little tricky to find. Many super-markets have a small section of all one brand of things like this, because that company pays for shelf placement. Then various other things are scattered around the store hanging on strips that jut out from the shelving. So you'll probably find what you're looking for hanging next to the jam, instead of in cleaners.
 
BCRider said:
The household cleaning products of any big grocery, Wally's World or Canadian Tire will have this sort of product. Maybe not by actual name but they'll have some sort of brass or copper pot cleaning pads.

Just be sure to take a magnet with you. A LOT of these things are copper platted over steel. So you're looking for the ones that don't stick to a magnet.
Click to expand...

red_bailey said:
It's a copper scouring pad, looks like a steel wool pad except not. Should be in with the other kitchen cleaning stuff, but it *can* be a little tricky to find. Many super-markets have a small section of all one brand of things like this, because that company pays for shelf placement. Then various other things are scattered around the store hanging on strips that jut out from the shelving. So you'll probably find what you're looking for hanging next to the jam, instead of in cleaners.
Click to expand...

graydog said:
Safeway carries the real copper ones. As another stated make sure you take a magnet with you to check the pad to make sure that it is just not copper coated.

Graydog
Click to expand...

Thanks, going to try and find some today.
 
You could try some Montana Extreme Copper Solvent. It's supposed to work quite well, and should be available through your local gun shop (or WSS, Cabela's, places like that).
 
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