Leading in barrel real bad.

[JimG]

Dan Wesson 357 w/6" barrel. There is a massive amount of lead (I think it's lead, not sure what leading looks like) from the forcing cone to about halfway to the muzzle. Outers bore foam won't touch it. Only serious scrubbing with a brass brush and Hoppes #9 will slightly remove it (Ithink). What takes lead out?

[ZZTOP]

Hey JimG,
You might try a lead removal kit that has a rubber type cork with a brass screen that fits on the end of you cleaning rod. You put the screen on, screw the threads onto the end of your cleaning rod and pull the whole mess through your barrell. do that a few times and you barrell is free of lead.

Some thing I did to keep from having to clean out the lead from my barrels everytime I shot it was to coat about 500 or so rounds of cast bullets with MICA (A white dry lubricant) and shoot mild loads.

What that did was to polish the bore so I could shoot cast bullets as fast as they would go without leading.

Happy shooting
ZZTOP

[JimG]

Thanks for the tips.

[Lone Star]

The correct solution is not how to remove the lead, but to eliminate its formation.  If you  have severe leading, the most likely cause is
* bullets which are too small
* bullets which are too hard
* undersized cylinder throats
 
Leading is caused by gas blow-by, and the three issues above are the most common contributors.  What loads are you using - handloads, bullets, velocities, powders if known - all the information you can supply us will help to solve the problem.

Polishing a bore may help a little bit, but it will certainly not cure severe leading if you have one of the 3 issues above.

[JimG]

Well I have a new set of problems now. I bought it used so I have no idea as to what the previous owner/s ran through it. I only intend to shoot jacketed HP's and SP's through it. I finally got the lead out but now I see some pitting on the lands (not grooves) from the crown back 1 to 1.25" dwon the barrel. It is pronounced but not "craters". I shot it again today now that it's "lead free" and the accuracy was much better. Actually it was more than acceptable. Should I be concerned about the pitting? Will it get worse? The gun looked like it had never been cleaned when I got it so could this have caused the pitting? Could it be some sort of erosion and not pitting? If not erosion does the pitting need to be "neutralized" before it gets worse? Any insight into this would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Lone Star]

Without seeing it a good diagnosis is not possible, but the pitting could have been caused by moisture trapped in powder fouling under the lead.  It is probably not going to get any worse, although if you are worried, swab the bore with soapy water to neutralize any salts, then dry fully and oil before putting it away.

Once leading starts it wil continue as the lumps will deform the bullet and allow even more gas past the base, blasting the lead vapor onto the bore; plus pieces of lead will be torn off the bullet sides and stick (gall) to the lead already there.  Removing all of it, along with any jacketed material which may be beneith it, should go a long way to reducing future leading.  If the severe leading returns, then review the loads you are shooting.

[Paul5388]

Jim,

After doing the soap thing Lone Star wrote about, just shoot it.  The accuracy hasn't been hurt, so keep it clean and oiled and you shouldn't have any more problems.

[JimG]

Sounds good, I'll try the soapy water and just oil it up good.