Lead in the barrel

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gunrunner8

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Would anybody advise me how to get rid of leading in the barrel of my Charters Arms 44 sp. The quicker the method the better, what works what doesn't? Just brushing with brass brush with all kinds of cleaning fluids doesn't seem to work at all. Any response will be helpfull, I just run out of new ideas.
 
To remove lead fouling I use Barnes CR10 and find it works well, dont use a brass brush, swab it on let it sit a few minutes then clean it off. You may have to do this several times depending on the build up
 
I'd also suggest that you find the cause of problematic lead fouling, usually it is due to poor bullet fit in barrel combined with too hard an alloy and not enough lube/grooves or ineffective lube, or any combination of these factors. You should slug your bore and chambers to determine proper bullet size, some .44s require bullets as large as .432".
 
I used to use Shooters choice lead remover.
www .wholesalesports.com/storefront/hunting/gun-maintenance/firearm-cleaning/lead-remover/prod79539.html

I put some on a nylon brush and run it through once, wait 2 to 5 min, and the run through a brass brush. Cleans it right up! Normal cleaning from there.

One thing that I was told about (by a bullseye shooter at my club as well as the gunsmith at my local g-store) JB Bore cleaning compound.
www .brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1160/Product/J_B_reg__NON_EMBEDDING_BORE_CLEANING_COMPOUND

What you do is spend about 1 hr at the bench (at home) lightly coating the lead bullets (on loaded rounds) with the compound. I found the best way was to dip the bullet head in the paste and wipe off the excess with your finger.

Once you have about 200 done go to the range and put 3 groups of ten "treated" rounds down range. Then follow the instructions on the container of JB to clean the barrel. repeat untill you have fired about 150 rnds of the "treated" ammo.

Now fire every second round (one treated one not etc.) untill you have 25 treated rounds left. (follow cleaning instructions)

Now fire every fifth round treated (I found it easier to load the treated round in the mag first, then 4 non-treated rounds, then a treated one and then 4 more non-treated)

Do this untill you are out of treated rounds.

All told this is 350 rnds, it doesn't seem to make a differance if you treat more rounds with the JB, but it won't hurt either.

The first pistol I did this with was my M&P9 (I was having a hell of a time with leading in my barrel) After I did this the barrel is very shiney, I never have to spend time cleaning out the lead (leading in the barrel is a thing of the past) and the best part...... My groups at 25yrds went down from 10-12" to 4-6"......

I for one LOVE JB Bore compound!

The only downside...... now you have to take apart your mags and clean them or else they will start gumming up from the compound residue in the mags. and you don't want to use your reloaded ammo boxes for this either..... they are a chore to clean out as well.

YMMV Cheers and good luck!
 
Go to the dollar store buy a pack of brass sponges. Pull a brass strand off the sponge. Wind the strand aroud an old bore brush. Pull through your barrel till the lead is gone. brass can not scratch steel, but it is harder than lead.

I shoot thousands of lead bullets and this is how I clean them.
 
There's also a product called Wipeout, it's a two part that you mix into one bottle. Simply swab the barrel, let sit for a couple of hours and run patches through. It's a strong enough chemical to turn the lead into a white powder, but not strong enough to damage your barrel. Works great.
 
I mix vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide 50/50, then pour it down my barrel after plugging one end with duct tape. Let sit for 5 minutes or so, then drain and run a bore brush through. Usually works pretty quick, but you have to limit the time in the barrel, since it will start to attack the steel once the lead is all gone. Works for me.

Erik.
 
Wendell said:
The Lewis lead remover is what you need.

Brownells has it.
Click to expand...

will brownells ship chemicals across the border? they canceled an item on one of my orders (sweets 7,62) altough no mentions of not shipping outside of the us was visible on the item description
 
A Lewis lead remover is not a chemical. It's a caliber specific tip that you put a brass "screen" on and pull through the barrel. Comes in a kit, has a tip for the barrel, forcing cone, screens & handle. Shouldbe no problem w/shipping.
 
HI

You have the answer in a couple of posts up. Buy a Chor Boy 100% copper cleaning pad. Wrap a few strands of the Chor Boy pad around a cleaning brush and scrub the bore. It will take maybe two to three striokes and your lead will be removed. I sold my Lewis LEad Remover years ago. The above method is much simpler, easier and less expensive. In my view chemicals are justa waste of money.

Use this method on the cylinders as well.

Take Care

Bob
 
jasonburnsdundee said:
Go to the dollar store buy a pack of brass sponges. Pull a brass strand off the sponge. Wind the strand aroud an old bore brush. Pull through your barrel till the lead is gone. brass can not scratch steel, but it is harder than lead.

I shoot thousands of lead bullets and this is how I clean them.
Click to expand...

Yup, same way i have done it for years.
Ben has good avise, to try and find the root cause of the leading
to try and save a little elbow grease.
 
jasonburnsdundee said:
Go to the dollar store buy a pack of brass sponges. Pull a brass strand off the sponge. Wind the strand aroud an old bore brush. Pull through your barrel till the lead is gone. brass can not scratch steel, but it is harder than lead.

I shoot thousands of lead bullets and this is how I clean them.
Click to expand...
Thank you all. Tomorrow I will try brass sponge metod, also vinegar+peroxide and wipeaut mix are easy enough metods too. On the other side shooting 350 cartridges with bullets coated with JB paste is such a chore to do it, I would prefer to rebarrel the d*mn revolver! Thanks again, now I have some options.
 
Last edited:
Beware so-called "copper" scouring pads. (Many are really plated steel.) Check them with a magnet to be certain that they are copper before using them to clean your bore.
 
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