How many rounds before leading occurs?

[JCSC]

I shot my first decent run of my lead PC bullets yesterday. Probably around 75 rounds with a mag or two of 240 FMJ her own in.

Brought the gun home and after a few swipes with the brush it was surprisingly clean! There is a ever so slight frosted appearance at the transition from land to groove, but I am really happy with the performance.

.4513ish is what the bore slugged. I’m shooting .452”. Can I assume after 75 rounds that I am in the clear for lead issues?

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’m trying to get lead out of a old revolver… scrub scrub scrub, not working

 

[jmorris]

You can think of leading like the forming of a stalagmite or stalactite, they begin to form with the first drop, when conditions are just right, even if you don’t notice them until many drops later.

 

[nettlle]

With lubed cast lead it can happen pretty quickly and the leading pretty gnarly if the lead wasn't alloyed correctly when the bullets were cast.

 

[ballman6711]

Can I assume after 75 rounds that I am in the clear for lead issues?

Keep doing what you're doing, PC bullets that are done correctly shouldn't lead at all.

With uncoated lead it depends on a few (or several) different things, bullet fit to bore mostly, but other things as well.

With lubed cast lead it can happen pretty quickly

Key word is "can". I've seen it happen in less than twenty rounds, but I've also seen guns that shoot lubed lead and the bore looks clean after 100 rounds.

chris

 

[nettlle]

I have and still do shoot lubed cast. Thousands of them. But a friend new to casting used me for a guinea pig and it took me a long time to clean the barrel that day.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

The Finn M39 that I shoot in matches hasn't had anything down the bore except lead bullets for well over 1000 rounds.

No wet patch, no dry patch, certainly no bore brush.

You are asking the wrong question. The question is "How do I shoot lead bullets without leading? "
And the answer comes in books. Thick books. And trying things in your gun until you get the right combination of size, hardness, and lube.

The short answer is - make the bullet fit the gun. The long answer is how you do it.

 

[dobedo]

I found that the harder the lead (4% antimony) and good lubrication with gas checks does a lot to prevent leading.

 

[Blue68f100]

I’m trying to get lead out of a old revolver… scrub scrub scrub, not working

Copper ChoyBoy strand wrapped around a wire brush works most of the time. You may need to soak the barrel in Kroil over night to help loosen it.

In the old days before we discovered how toxic Hg was, you could fill a barrel with it and it would be clean in minutes. Not a option today.

Another option is the electrolysis method. This works good but you need to be able to seal one end. Not sure whether you can purchase the kit anymore.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Copper ChoyBoy strand wrapped around a wire brush works most of the time. You may need to soak the barrel in Kroil over night to help loosen it.

In the old days before we discovered how toxic Hg was, you could fill a barrel with it and it would be clean in minutes. Not a option today.

Another option is the electrolysis method. This works good but you need to be able to seal one end. Not sure whether you can purchase the kit anymore.

this stuff??

 

[Blue68f100]

this stuff??

Yes, But I always confirm it's pure copper using a magnetic. There also have a plated steel version, I just don't trust labeling, the reason I test with a magnet.

 

[Mark_Mark]

just went down the leading rabbit hole!!! going to give this a try

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yes, But I always confirm it's pure copper using a magnetic. There also have a plated steel version, I just don't trust labeling, the reason I test with a magnet.

Magnet!!! check

 

[LiveLife]

I’m trying to get lead out of a old revolver… scrub scrub scrub, not working

Use the force Mark ... Use the force.

just went down the leading rabbit hole!!! going to give this a try

No, like this. It needs to be "tight" to remove leading with shear force.

Wrap some copper scrubber strands like Choreboy (tested with magnet to make sure they are not steel) over old bore brush and after several strokes (May need to lightly tap with palm of hand) and BAM, leading is gone.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Use the force Mark ... Use the force.

No, like this. It needs to be "tight" to remove leading with shear force.

Wrap some copper scrubber strands (tested with magnet to make sure they are not steel) over old bore brush and after several strokes, BAM, leading should be gone.

shove that nasty thing in the Crown end? looks like it will hurt the crown??? maybe not?

 

[drband]

just went down the leading rabbit hole!!! going to give this a try

View attachment 1164619

I think you’ll get better results if you wrap a few strands of chore boy around a bronze brush. That wad in the loop won’t clean the grooves very well.

Edit: what @LiveLife said!

 

[Blue68f100]

It will not hurt the crown the reason to make sure it's copper. That or screw it on and pull it through staring at the forcing cone.

 

[LiveLife]

shove that nasty thing in the Crown end? looks like it will hurt the crown??? maybe not?

It will not hurt the crown the reason to make sure it's copper. That or screw it on and pull it through staring at the forcing cone.

Yes. Copper and brass are softer than barrel steel

If you are using steel twisted wire brush like mine and concerned about muzzle crown, use tape around twisted wire to protect crown.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Copper and brass are softer than barrel steel

I better get some coated .38’s for my prettier revolvers too!

 

[Mark_Mark]

It will not hurt the crown the reason to make sure it's copper. That or screw it on and pull it through staring at the forcing cone.

I just bought some! my little Colt Detective Special is about to get it’s pipe clean!

 

[gwpercle]

I shot my first decent run of my lead PC bullets yesterday. Probably around 75 rounds with a mag or two of 240 FMJ her own in.

Brought the gun home and after a few swipes with the brush it was surprisingly clean! There is a ever so slight frosted appearance at the transition from land to groove, but I am really happy with the performance.

.4513ish is what the bore slugged. I’m shooting .452”. Can I assume after 75 rounds that I am in the clear for lead issues?

You are Good !
The reasons a barrel will lead are many but the first three and most important ... 1.) The guns barrel must be smooth , 2.) the bullet size must be correct to fit the bore and 3.) the lubricant or coating must be a good one .
You have achieved all three and your barrel rifling is smooth so you are not seeing lead build up .
Go ahead and clean your barrel with solvent and a brass brush , clean after every shooting session , this will keep barrel steel smooth and remove any gun powder / bullet coating build up build up from forming .
Too many think Hard bullets are better ... not really , Fit trumps Hardness and bullet Lubricant or powder coating (the new bullet lube) is just as important , If a bullet fits the bore , has a good lube / coating , it can have a bhn 8-9 in standard pressure loads and never leave a streak of lead . Hardness , gas checks and other things come into play with magnum loads of 1,000 fps+ ... cast bullets are a bit complicated !
Sounds like you have hit a good combination ... proper fit , good coating , No Lead ...then Keep On Keeping On !
Remember a regular barrel cleaning is good , clean after every shooting session !
Gary

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If the bullet is properly sized for your barrel and a good lube is used you will see no leading. I only leaded up 1 barrel and it was my fault, not the bullets.(long story lol)

 

[Mark_Mark]

If the bullet is properly sized for your barrel and a good lube is used you will see no leading. I only leaded up 1 barrel and it was my fault, not the bullets.(long story lol)

well in the Reloading section. We are talking about using .358 bullets for .361 38S&W loads. Old timers said it’s find if you use coated or plated bullets

 

[eddiememphis]

Keep doing what you're doing, PC bullets that are done correctly shouldn't lead at all.

I agree that any coating done correctly should have no problems.

I purchased 9mm bullets from Summit City that left horrible lead in the barrels of two guns.

The character from the company said it was normal for their bullets.

Summit City bullets and their customer service are both garbage.

I will not buy their junk again.

Blue and Missouri are both excellent in my usage. I realize they are not technically "powder coated", both Summit and Missouri use "Hi-Tek" coating.

Missouri has worked great with about 500 bullets of different types and weights and calibers.

 

[Walkalong]

With lubed cast lead it can happen pretty quickly and the leading pretty gnarly if the lead wasn't alloyed correctly when the bullets were cast.

Yep, I've leaded a barrel severely with only six rounds of undersized lead lubed bullets.