Author Topic: Slugging a bore: What to use for a slug? (Read 734 times)

savageT · « **on:** January 15, 2004, 06:05:20 AM »

I've heard slugging is done as a technique to determine actual bore/rifling dimensions. But..........what do you use to slug the bore with? Do you use pure lead (Pb) as in a fishing sinker? If so how much oversize generally do you use (ie. how many thousandths of an inch over)?
Can you damage the bore if you don't use something close to the correct bore, or is the lead soft enough to be sliced off as you're pounding it through?

Jim

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2004, 10:30:47 AM »

Yo Jim: lead sinkers will work just fine. All you need to do is find one close enough to your bore size to be pushed easily through the bore. There's a whole bunch of techniques on how to do this but the softer lead pushes through more easily. Some folks say to use wooden dowels or rods to tap the sinker down the bore. Some make up attachments with brass screws that are screwed into a lead sinker and then tapped on through with a 1 piece steel rod.

I know some of the guys will have some wickedly effective techniques for this, but since I'm onna dem 2 percenters I can only hope. LOL. Mikey.

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2004, 01:15:24 PM »

Go to the LBT section in cast bullets and get Veral smith push through slugs. Onec you use them you won't want anything else.

Here's a link just click on it. http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=19505

Robert357 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2004, 04:56:55 AM »

As a reloader, I have serveral option. Sometimes I have used cast lead bullets (soft & no gas checks) of slightly larger size. Other times, fishing weights.

There are also kits one can purchase from various manufacturers. Midway has a nice one you can order over the internet.

Since a question was asked about fishing weights, I thought I would include a link to a good article on the subject.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reloading/slug/index.asp

good luck!

savageT · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2004, 05:18:24 AM »

Thanks Guys!......I've read the surplusrifle article on bore slugging and I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. Now, if?

, if I can still buy lead sinkers over the counter? A friend tells me that NYState no longer allowes (Pb) sinkers to be used this coming fishing season. Don't want the poor little Cormorants to get lead poisoning!

Jim

Flint · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2004, 07:31:25 AM »

Use a cap & ball roundball slightly bigger than the bore size, 36 (.375) cal for 38 Cal and 454 or 457 roundball for 45 cal. a 440 ball will do for 44 Cal bores. They are pure soft lead and will drive through nicely. Then just mike the larger land diameter on the slig for your bore's groove diameter.

Ross · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2004, 06:29:26 PM »

Since lead is so maleable, it is not at all important that the slug be even close to the bore size if it is over. It is no chore to slug a .30 cal with a .50 roundball if you start at the muzzle. Just hammer it in with a plastic, wooden or rawhide mallet. You might cut off a ring of lead like cutting a gasket, but that goes to the pot and is no loss.
It is also handy to do a quick and dirty muzzle slug and remove it with the mushroom head intact for easy removal from a muzzle loader. That saves dropping a heavy short rod down the tube first and hammering the slug out by repeatedly pointing the barrel up, then down until the floating hammer drives the slug out. But it only measures the barrel at the muzzle.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross