Removing lead build up in barrel
 

O.K. It's me again.Reaching out for more help.I shot some
125 rounds of .45 Colt and approx, 60 rounds of .44 Magnum
today.I have some lead build up in both barrels.
Not a lot,but enough to notice.I have run a brass brush down
the barrels and got lead filings to drop out.Still there is some build up.
What is the proper way of removing this lead build up?
P.S.-I tub lubed the bullets as per proceedures.I may have shot too fast,
not giving the barrel time to cool,but it felt cool before I shot.
I did have the rounds at max loads.I plan on bringing the loads
way back.The BHN should be around 13-14.I uh..?Thanks-bayhawk

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

velocity too high for the hardness of your alloy. Keep velocity around 1000 fps or less.

removing the lead requires elbow grease and patience. it is the price you pay for hotrodding unjacketed boolits. just keep scrubbing til its clean and slow your loads down...

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Before I learned to avoid the situation in the first place I used a Lewis Lead Remover
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...S_LEAD_REMOVER
Always cringed a little bit every time I pulled that down the bore but it did get the lead out.

Had a S&W 27 that just seemed determined to lead up. Traded it off years ago. The 1911 leaded too but switched to Berry's and Rainier copper plated and no more lead.

I can't say whether the Lewis is safe practice or not but it will quickly remove lead.

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

There is really no "Proper" way to remove lead, but there are a lot of different ways. Some take time and effort, some use chemicals and some only take a few seconds and a few pennies.

I use what I feel is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to remove lead. Go to your local Grocery store or Walmart and pickup a box of Chore-Boy all copper scrubbing pads. Make sure they are all copper! cut a small piece off a Chore-Boy pad and wrap it around a worn out copper brush or a nylon bristle brush. Run the brush back and forth a few times and Presto, no more lead.

It really is that fast and that simple!.

http://www.choreboyscrubbers.com/Pro...%20Copper.aspx

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

JLA-I thought I could get by with it.Hot-rodding is right.
I had test fired a few rounds in each and no signs of over
pressure.The groups were o.k.They kicked like a mule,but
I was o.k. with that as long as the groups were good.
O.K. so I'm learning.I'll have to turn it back.I'll take the .44 mag
back to a more range friendly load.937 FPS.
The .45 Colt back to about 900 FPS.I 'll take your advise. Harder lead or jacketed bullets for hot loads.Thanks again JLA.
bayhawk

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Todd.I went to the Brownells Lewis lead remover sight.Sounds pretty good.
but.............
Steve-I like.I don't know if we have that Chore-boy copper pad here
in south Texas.We certainly have Wal-Marts.My next mission?
Search out for Chore-Boy 99.99% copper pads.Thanks guys.Again.bayhawk

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

we are very lucky today. You can buy a number of good lead and copper removers. I like Sweets it works great. Leading is caused more by gas cutting than anything else. I have shot many pounds of wheel weights in the .44 Mags with no problems. My loads run from 1,200 to 1,400 FPS. The problem you are having is due more to a cast bullet too small to bore. A cast bullet should run larger then the bore of the gun it is fired in. Lets assume your .44 slugs .430 your cast slug should run out at .431. The lead drops form at very high heat as gas is allowed to pass around the loose fitting bullet. These superheated lead drops cool and adhere to the bore causing leading. You may also want to check the choice of powders. I have found Win 296 to be very good in the .44 Mag. For heavy loads a gas check and water dropped bullets can also aid in leading reduction.

RC

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Many years ago I had leading problem even at the recommended 1000 FPS max velocity. I found the then new Rainier plated bullet.

Jacketed bullets use a soft lead core swaged into a gilding metal (copper alloy) cup and formed under pressure. Cast bullet are from molten lead in a mold and later forced through a die to size them. Cast bullet hardness is controlled by the alloying metals added to the mix (Antimony and Tin in various proportions). Swaged bullet are made of soft lead by forcing soft lead wire pieces through a die. Plated bullets are cast or swaged bullets flash plated (thin coating) with copper. Today there is not only Rainier but Berry's bullets too.

The pricing from the bottom up is: cast, swaged, plated, and jacketed. Plated bullets minimize leading but if you drive them too hard you will still get leading. Shoot them at cast bullet load levels (or a bit faster) and the bore will not lead up. Full loads are best made of jacketed bullets.

LDBennett

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Nosler has 240gr 44 jacketed HP for $160/K on sale at Shooters Pro Shop if anyone is interested. That's only about $15 more per K that Plated.
http://www.shootersproshop.com/Produ...s__HG4360.aspx

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

A cast bullet can be driven at speeds up to 1,600 fps with out leading. This is a plain base with out a GC. The speed of 1,600 fps is well past what you need to deliver from your normal .44 handgun. Copper plated bullets are a waste for hot loads. Anyone who has cast bullets and gone thru the learning process can turn out a good strong cast bullet. I have taken Mule Deer, Antelope and finished off many Moose and Elk with 240 WW loads in a .44 Mag. Make sure you have the right size slug and remove all signs of copper jacket metal from your bore. Leaving copper jacket metal in the bore will cause leading in handgun or rifle. Pour your own.

RC

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Redwing-Many thanks for the info.O.K...I slugged my .45 Colt barrel at .449.
My cast and sized bullets are at .451.This was the barrel that had the most lead
build up.My .44 Mag mold only came in one size from Midway USA.A Lee
6 mold..at .430.My .44 Mag had very very little lead build up.I found it hard to
slug,due to it having a ported- barrel extention.I think I done a few things
wrong that you and others have mentioned.One,I fired too many rounds
without sticking a swab down the barrels every so often.Two,I fired too many
rounds too quick.Three,it was dirty powder-Unique.Build up was bad.
Four-I was at maxed out loads through out the session.
I plan on fixing all of these.Yes I am going through the learning process.
I'll get there.I'm not a quiter.Thanks Redwing.By the way.What is "Sweets"?

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Steve-They had the Chore Boy copper pads at my local store just down the
street.It did a good job,however I have this stubborn place,right at the chamber
that I'm working on.JLA is right.I'll be working on that.It got the rest right out in a jiffy.
Many thanks for saving me a lot of rubbing and scrubbing.I had very little build up in
my .44 Mag,so that one was easy.bayhawk

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

is your boolit by chance a bevel base design?

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

JLA-The bullet on the left is the .45 Colt.-230 gr.
The bullet on the right is the .44 mag.-240gr.
Just thought I'd back up and take a picture of
the bench.So far.

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=643582



Bayhawk, check this out. There are many good copper and lead solvents. I have used this one for years and found it does a good job. Always make sure all copper is removed from the bore before shooting lead. The copper fowling will cause more lead to build up in the barrel. Sweets 7.62 will produce a blue patch until the bore is clean from metal alloys. Make sure you use a fiber or bronze brush to clean with. The copper brushs will desolve and give a false reading when using strong solvents. You should also pick up a jar of JB paste cleaner. The JB will remove the lead and smooth the bore so it will not lead as fast. Use a powder that does not burn as hot in the forcing cone for your .44 Mag. H110 and Win 296 give a good fill and meter well. good luck cowboy:)

RC

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Ahh, the LEE TL boolits. they are great boolits but must not be hotrodded. They are both bevel base designs which are not the best choice for revolvers, but they work well if velocities are kept moderate. Id suggest between 800-900 fps for both loads, that 230 gr TC boolit is actually meant for the .45ACP (lack of a proper crimp groove) but if you seat them just over the ogive you can crimp over it for use in revolver rounds. Unique is a great powder for both of those rounds and so long as velocities are kept between 8 and 9 hundred i think youll find very accurate and enjoyable target loads...

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

Well guys-I think I'm gonna take a little pinch of this advise and
a little dab of that advise.Put it in a pot,stir it up and go make
some bullets.I know I have come to the right place for making and
shooting cast bullets. I've made mistakes,but you guys have trouble shooted
them.I appreciate your time and your knowledge.I can't put a
price on that.Let's go burn some powder.Bayhawk

Re: Removing lead build up in barrel
 

I agree. Im headn to the range after I go buy some melons from the grocery store. doin it 'gunny' style today...:)