Do jacketed bullets clean out lead?
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I shoot almost nothing except lead-bullet range loads, and do so weekly. I have never had leading in any of my handguns. It is as simple as this: don't load them for supersonic speeds and use hard-cast bullets. I use 148gr WC in my .38sp and .357, and 124gr truncated cone in my 9mm BHP. I think the old wives tale about "a few jacketed rounds to clean out the leading" is just that -- an old wives tale.
Cordially, Jack
Cordially, Jack
Dragon88
Member
It's not advised to "push" lead out of a bore with a jacketed bullet because it may increase pressure during firing.
That said, I do it. It's works best with my Redhawk after testing hot cast bullet loads. If I see some leading when cleaning the revolver, I take it to the range next time with a jacketed bullet load. It cleans out the bore very nicely and saves me hassle and patches.
That said, I do it. It's works best with my Redhawk after testing hot cast bullet loads. If I see some leading when cleaning the revolver, I take it to the range next time with a jacketed bullet load. It cleans out the bore very nicely and saves me hassle and patches.
duckloads
Member
Well, My uncle used to handload for his 30-06. He took me target shooting once 30 or so years ago and would shoot 1 jacketed round for ever 5 or so lead rounds. hmmm.
semperfi71
US Veteran
I am thoroughly against "shooting" out lead with jacketed bullets, and I used to do it as well.
The lead can be "ironed" into the barrel rather than "pushed out".
Also, it is never a good idea to shoot ANY firearm with anything obstructiing the bore in ANY way.
Leading is not the bug-a-boo-difficult-to-clean problem that it is supposed to be.
Go to the grocery store and buy the copper "Chore Boy" cleaning pads. Strip as many strands as needed to wrap around a copper brush and give a tight fit in the bore. Use a solvent or lead removing solvent and scrub the bore a few passes. It will clean out the lead very quickly and easier than a "Lewis Lead Remover" tool.
If there are minute tracings of lead left in the lands use a "Lead Free" cloth patch and remove them easily.
Why use ANY method [such as shooting out lead] that is in any way potentially abrasive, or at worst, capable of bulging a barrel?
The lead can be "ironed" into the barrel rather than "pushed out".
Also, it is never a good idea to shoot ANY firearm with anything obstructiing the bore in ANY way.
Leading is not the bug-a-boo-difficult-to-clean problem that it is supposed to be.
Go to the grocery store and buy the copper "Chore Boy" cleaning pads. Strip as many strands as needed to wrap around a copper brush and give a tight fit in the bore. Use a solvent or lead removing solvent and scrub the bore a few passes. It will clean out the lead very quickly and easier than a "Lewis Lead Remover" tool.
If there are minute tracings of lead left in the lands use a "Lead Free" cloth patch and remove them easily.
Why use ANY method [such as shooting out lead] that is in any way potentially abrasive, or at worst, capable of bulging a barrel?
rburg
Member
I'm going to guess the first question we need to ask is "how much lead?" Its a fair question to ask, and the answer will probably determine what you should do.
I've done it for so many years I don't even give it a second thought. But I don't allow any of my guns to get so bad that it even might cause a pressure problem, and I don't load to pressure or velocity levels that even might be a problem. I just never let it bother me or control my shooting.
I've fired both jacketed and lead ammo for years. For a while I had some bullets that tended to leave some lead. I stopped using them and went to a different bullet lube to remedy that problem.
I've done it for so many years I don't even give it a second thought. But I don't allow any of my guns to get so bad that it even might cause a pressure problem, and I don't load to pressure or velocity levels that even might be a problem. I just never let it bother me or control my shooting.
I've fired both jacketed and lead ammo for years. For a while I had some bullets that tended to leave some lead. I stopped using them and went to a different bullet lube to remedy that problem.
Beemer-mark
Member
Just for a reference - Lyman's 3rd edition of Cast Bullits recommends shooting jacketed bullets to clean out lead.
I cast my own and never really had a problem with leading. I've shot (more for experimenting) some really soft bullets out of my 45 colt (like maybe 8) and they leaded terrible. Steel brush knocked it right out.
I cast my own and never really had a problem with leading. I've shot (more for experimenting) some really soft bullets out of my 45 colt (like maybe 8) and they leaded terrible. Steel brush knocked it right out.
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on another thread,someone states to plug a leaded barell,then fill with peroxide...let it sit 30 min.or so then clean...anyone heard of this?
Yes, but it's a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar and it is to be used on Stainless guns ONLY as rumor has it will damage bluing. Doesn't need to sit for 30 minutes, either, you just wait for it to quit bubbling. I got this technique out of American Rifleman many years ago.
I've used it for years. It works.
Win75
Member
I read somewhere a couple of days ago to just let the barrel set where the air can get to it. Appearently lead oxidizes fairly quickly and should just brush out without chemicals.
I personally use the Lewis lead remover and then the lead remover cloth's wrapped around a smaller than caliber jag.
I personally use the Lewis lead remover and then the lead remover cloth's wrapped around a smaller than caliber jag.
rodell
Member
The SURFACE will. You would have to do it over and over for any significant leading. That assumes there are no contaminants to slow the process, such as carbon fouling.
I, too, use the Lewis.
Wheel-er,
Don't give up all hope; there're still some old-time hold-outs in Wisconsin that know how things are supposed to be done. TACC1
Don't give up all hope; there're still some old-time hold-outs in Wisconsin that know how things are supposed to be done. TACC1
firearmsunlimited
Member
Wheel-er
Forget the home remedies. Pro Shot makes a very good liquid lead remover as does Shooter's choice. For heavy leading you may want to try a Lewis lead remover tool.
Forget the home remedies. Pro Shot makes a very good liquid lead remover as does Shooter's choice. For heavy leading you may want to try a Lewis lead remover tool.
BugEater
Member
Wheel-er
Thanks for the laughs. It appears the 70's in rural Nebraska weren't much different than the SW. My uncle once shot himself in the foot and was too drunk to admit it. Good to know that some things change for the better.
Thanks for the laughs. It appears the 70's in rural Nebraska weren't much different than the SW. My uncle once shot himself in the foot and was too drunk to admit it. Good to know that some things change for the better.
500 Magnum Nut
Member
That's a must have tool for revolvers.
I use a "chamber brush" for the chambers. Some don't like the idea, but I use the stainless ones. Just a couple brush strokes cleans them out good. Just don't over-do it with the stainless brushes.
Wheel-er....
I grew up when beer cans and beer bottles out in the country trash piles were the targets of choice. I learned to shoot with a single shot .22 Remington and a dump full of Falstaff bottles. Now there's trash pickup in the country, the dumps are gone, Falstaff beer is pretty much history and breaking glass is politically incorrect.
As for clearing lead from a barrel shooting jacketed bullets, I've heard that too. But, in all honesty, it never worked for me. I always got better results with Hoppe's No. 9 and a bronze brush.
I grew up when beer cans and beer bottles out in the country trash piles were the targets of choice. I learned to shoot with a single shot .22 Remington and a dump full of Falstaff bottles. Now there's trash pickup in the country, the dumps are gone, Falstaff beer is pretty much history and breaking glass is politically incorrect.
As for clearing lead from a barrel shooting jacketed bullets, I've heard that too. But, in all honesty, it never worked for me. I always got better results with Hoppe's No. 9 and a bronze brush.
bmcgilvray
Member
"I've done it for so many years I don't even give it a second thought."
I'm with rburg on this. I'm still using some of the same revolvers I was using 30 or more years ago and they still give excellent service and top accuracy. Upon inspection their bores will be bright and shining, the rifling sharp and clean.
Not only will the jacketed bullet loads clean the barrel of lead residue but will minimize lead rings on the cylinder face, lead residue accumulation on the leading edge of the sides of the cylinder at its front over each chamber, and lead residue accumulation on the underside of the top strap. A cylinder-full of jacketed bullets does all of this. Then the revolver is cleaned easily and normally. I've seen other revolver shooters scour and dig at these areas, trying to clean them up.
Keeping guns clean avoids so much wear and so many mechanical issues. Regular cleaning makes the cleaning chore much easier. My firearms are thoroughly cleaned after every shooting session. I don't use lead bullets that perform so poorly that they lead like fiends. I don't follow up shooting lead bullets with some gut-bustin' hot jacketed bullet handload either.
I never saw leading as a big problem but I have to wonder if a few rounds of good jacketed ammunition is less detrimental to a bore, forcing cone, top strap, and cylinder face than some methods of lead removal.
As far as ironing lead INTO the bore, I have to say I'm very skeptical.
I'm with rburg on this. I'm still using some of the same revolvers I was using 30 or more years ago and they still give excellent service and top accuracy. Upon inspection their bores will be bright and shining, the rifling sharp and clean.
Not only will the jacketed bullet loads clean the barrel of lead residue but will minimize lead rings on the cylinder face, lead residue accumulation on the leading edge of the sides of the cylinder at its front over each chamber, and lead residue accumulation on the underside of the top strap. A cylinder-full of jacketed bullets does all of this. Then the revolver is cleaned easily and normally. I've seen other revolver shooters scour and dig at these areas, trying to clean them up.
Keeping guns clean avoids so much wear and so many mechanical issues. Regular cleaning makes the cleaning chore much easier. My firearms are thoroughly cleaned after every shooting session. I don't use lead bullets that perform so poorly that they lead like fiends. I don't follow up shooting lead bullets with some gut-bustin' hot jacketed bullet handload either.
I never saw leading as a big problem but I have to wonder if a few rounds of good jacketed ammunition is less detrimental to a bore, forcing cone, top strap, and cylinder face than some methods of lead removal.
As far as ironing lead INTO the bore, I have to say I'm very skeptical.
