Scrub out lead from 12ga slugs

I use the same method I use with a handgun....all copper Chore Boy wrapped around an old bronze brush.

There's one quick way but it's not environmentally friendly. But the chore boy works good.

Scotchbrite and Kroil on a brush spun with an electric drill if its a smoothbore.

With a smooth bore a bore brush on a rod with the handle off and chuckled up in a pistol drill makes short work of it. Add some Chore-boy if needed.

Try a Tornado brush.
These are coiled stainless steel that were originally made for de-leading shotguns.

https://www.brownells.com/gun-clean...es/bore-brushes/tornado-brushes-prod9791.aspx

Another option that works very well is to buy a "Lead-away" type cloth and cut it into shotgun sized patches.
Use on a button type rod tip to get full contact with the bore.

Then there's the ultimate lead remover.... The famous Lewis Lead Remover Kit.
Originally developed for revolvers they now have one for shotguns.
This will pull the lead out FAST.

https://www.brownells.com/gun-clean...ad-remover-for-rifles-shotguns-prod20823.aspx

FHBrumb said:

I enjoy shooting rifled slugs at steel out at 100. I do not enjoy scrubbing all that residue from my bore. I'll do 60 or so per outing.

Is there a rifled slug that leads less than others?

Best scrub mechanism? I'm using Hoppes solvent and a cordless drill to spin my brush inside the bore. Still easily a full hour scrub...

Advice?

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The ones that go inside a wad or sabot.

https://leeprecision.com/bullet-casting/bullet-slug-mold/

Yeah, if you find one that goes in a shot cup like @Jack Ryan suggested. Do you notice decreased accuracy when the barrel is leaded? I assume youre using foster slugs (rifled hollow base), if accuracy is still ok i wouldnt worry about it. You could also shoot some steel shot when youre done and see if it will scrub the bore a bit. Or a wad of copper chore boy crammed through the bore is a sure way to get lead out easily, dont bother with solvents and cleaners they wont do much.

FHBrumb said:

Thank you for the input. I did buy some copper scrubby choreboy kinda stuff to try. Also one of the tornado brushed. Will be ordering the Lewis item soon. Used one many times in pistols. Was not aware of the 12ga variant.

Thanks again to all.

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Check your scrubber with a magnet to be sure its copper.

If it a smooth bore the copper aspect of the chore boy is less critical. I have seen several trap/skeet clubs that have a motor on the floor with a cleaning rod attached and a bore brush wrapped in #0000 steel wool for removing wad and lead fouling from barrels. A smooth bore shotgun, especially modern guns designed for steel shot is pretty tolerant to this cleaning method.

FHBrumb said:

Thank you for the input. I did buy some copper scrubby choreboy kinda stuff to try. Also one of the tornado brushed. Will be ordering the Lewis item soon. Used one many times in pistols. Was not aware of the 12ga variant.

Thanks again to all.

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Make sure they are the copper ones. Cheap versions LOOK like copper, but are steel with a thin copper wash on them. A magnet will tell you what you have.

Next time, spray something like WD-40 in there before you pull. Any solvent/lubricant will help do a better job than dry.

If your shooting those 1oz lugs the fouling is mostly plastic wad thats scraped off the first 7" from the gorce come up.
A really good peneteating oil to release the plastic is a good start.
Its mostly just scuffed to the barrel walls or possibly melted.
Either way its a pain to scrub out(30-50 rounds)
A power drill with a brass brush geys my vote.
Save worn bore brush to wrap copper chore boy or Scotchbrite to wrap on.

FHBrumb said:

Best scrub mechanism?

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Get a COPPER Chorboy (careful some scrubbing pads are copper coated steel)
You DON'T want steel in your barrel - this steel is too hard

Take a mop or brush & a long strand of copper.
This works for gunpowder residue & lead.

https://www.slip2000.com/slip2000_CTC.php

Get it. Slop a generous amount down the bore with an old mop or rag in a slotted tip. Wait 15 minutes.
Put a tornado brush or as Hondo 60 suggests, a brush with a long strand of Copper ChoreBoy.