Author Topic: 41 mag RB, how to clean porting? (Read 1083 times)

HappyHunter · « **on:** December 17, 2003, 01:19:59 PM »

I have a new 41 mag Raging Bull. The gun shoots well and has a crisp trigger; overall I am very pleased.

My problem is in cleaning the ported area of barrel. I shot aprox 100 lead 215 gr SWC and found that the porting was fouled with lead and the area after the crown was caked with lead as well. Scraping of the area and using a broch and pipe cleaners cleared the portng. But I am concerned that this practice of scraping next to the crown of barrel may eventually damage it.

Any body else seen the situation? Have any answers?

I may have to switch to jacketed bullets? (Hate to spend the extra money!)

Thanks for any suggestions.

Fred

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2003, 04:29:35 PM »

I guess I honestly don't understand the problem. :roll: I've fired well over 1000 rounds of cast thru my RB454 and haven't needed to clean the ports yet. Total over 2000 rounds I'd guess. Dunno just how many I've fired thru my RB480 but the vast majority have been cast. Ports have yet to need cleaning period.

Now in the 454 maybe all cast have been gas checked and the majority have been in the .480. Are you shooting unchecked bullets?

But to better answer your question. There are lead removal cloths sold just for the purpose of taking off the lead. Therefore no harm to your crown using them. Just don't get them near blued surfaces. They take off bluing also. :eek:

GB

HappyHunter · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2003, 04:56:06 PM »

GB,

I have a lead build up in what I call the porting area, that is the barrel after or downstream of the crown. In fact the first port hole on left and right side of barrel where completly closed with lead! This porting area, as I call it, is larger than .410 and is collecting lead, that needs to be removed by tools. I have used small screw drivers and dental picks.

I am loading a Mangus 215 gr SWC over 7.8 gr of Unique powder. This is not a heavy load, in fact it is the starting load. It happens to group well.

Again my concern is the repeated cleaning that this will require may eventually harm the crown of barrel.

Am I doing something wrong, that is causing this lead build up, and what can be done to correct it.

BTW, I am pleased with this Raging Bull in this caliber, it groups nicely with out much effort on my part yet. It has great potential, I only need to give it the time and effort it deserves.

Thanks!

Fred

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2003, 07:25:47 AM »

I really believe you need to change bullets. I seldom use plain base bullets in magnums preferring gas check designs. They just seem to work better. I've yet to clean either of my two RBs in the areas you mention after many many hundreds of bullets down range. I really think that those super hard commercially cast bullets with the bevel base are your problem.

I still say to try the lead removal cloths tho. They really do remove lead buildup and without damaging the gun.

GB

HappyHunter · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:14:28 PM »

Gas checks would make sense. I do not currently cast my own bullets, but am considering it. I have recently read the Lyman handbook. Eventually I will cast but for now it sound like I will be using jacketed bullets.

Thanks for your help.

Happy Holidays!

Fred