Brownell's still sells Lewis lead removers. I have used it in my Model 19 and Model 17 when I bought them used. Cleaned out a lot of lead in just a few minutes.
So much for this leading myth
- Thread starter BillBro
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Protocall_Design
Vendor
I shoot a lot of powder coated and polymer coated lead bullets and never have any leading. They are accurate in my guns, too.
gwpercle
Member
Hardness is way - way - way overated .
Fit beats hardness every time .
A small (undersized) hard cast bullet will lead the bore every time .
I size correctly and use an alloy with a BHN of 8.5 (40 to 1 lead - tin) in 38 special , 357 magnum and 41 magnum ...
It ain't the hardness that counts (in handguns) it's the fit !
Gary
Fit beats hardness every time .
A small (undersized) hard cast bullet will lead the bore every time .
I size correctly and use an alloy with a BHN of 8.5 (40 to 1 lead - tin) in 38 special , 357 magnum and 41 magnum ...
It ain't the hardness that counts (in handguns) it's the fit !
Gary
You probably know this already, but the one guaranteed way to get lead in your barrel quickly is to shoot lead after FMJ without cleaning the copper out first.
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May or may not happen and it depends on lots of factors. It likely won't happen at all or may happen to a limited extent in a good quality smooth barrel, but there are exceptions.
Or at least press the lead deposits deeply into any imperfection in the bore and cover them with some copper. I used to do just that, but not anymore.
Unless there is significant leading, I don't think it matters much with handgun accuracy. Clean bores are a whole different thing with precision rifles. Then again, there are some rifle barrels that are more accurate after a few fouling shots.
Mongo1958
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Good photos. You are a good craftsman, love the grips.
Mongo1958
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Me too, if you saw me you wouldn't either.
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The worst leading I ever had was when I decided I should shoot up some too-hot 9mm LRN reloads in my Blackhawk convertible. Yowza.
I've found that a brass jag and a patch that fits tight will push a lot of it out. Sometimes I cut a patch from a lead-away cloth and run that with the jag. Either needs to be a tight fit, like it needs-a-tap-to-get-started tight.
I have a Lewis Lead Remover but don't use it much anymore, except the forcing cone tool.
I've found that a brass jag and a patch that fits tight will push a lot of it out. Sometimes I cut a patch from a lead-away cloth and run that with the jag. Either needs to be a tight fit, like it needs-a-tap-to-get-started tight.
I have a Lewis Lead Remover but don't use it much anymore, except the forcing cone tool.
kleiss1
Member
Lewis Lead Remover. Or am I aging myself. Shoot lots of lead in my 1911-A1 and 629.
terry_tr6
Member
2 thing that worked for me.
1. I had bad leading with some 9mm bullets and discussed with the maker. he suggested using a slower powder that would give the bullet time to fully engage the barrel and seal it. I may have been using Hogden clays. I had some AA #7 that I and the leading disappeared.
2. If I have leading, I wrap a bit of real bronze wool(Ace hardware or marine store) around an old bronze brush, wet it with old Hopes #7 and that scrubs out the lead pretty well and is as cheap as you can get
1. I had bad leading with some 9mm bullets and discussed with the maker. he suggested using a slower powder that would give the bullet time to fully engage the barrel and seal it. I may have been using Hogden clays. I had some AA #7 that I and the leading disappeared.
2. If I have leading, I wrap a bit of real bronze wool(Ace hardware or marine store) around an old bronze brush, wet it with old Hopes #7 and that scrubs out the lead pretty well and is as cheap as you can get
AJ
US Veteran
Since I learned about powder coating that is all I shoot anymore.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I shoot nothing but lead bullets in my 1948 4" M&P. I wouldn't trust any other bullet not to damage my gem of a revolver. The bullets are around 12 BHN and the velocity is ~950 fps.
The one and only time I got leading in a barrel was when I was first shooting .357 Magnum ammo loaded with HS-6. I shot them in a 4" Model 686-2 and the leading was severe. The charge was 10.2gr HS-6 under a .358" SWC with a 18 BHN. This load is the max listed in the Lyman manual and potentially the most accurate but for the first time ever I produced a load that was way to hot to shoot in any gun. I only fired 3 of the rounds and stopped, it was just too hot... I took the remaining 7 rounds apart and dropped the powder charge to 9.7gr.
The one and only time I got leading in a barrel was when I was first shooting .357 Magnum ammo loaded with HS-6. I shot them in a 4" Model 686-2 and the leading was severe. The charge was 10.2gr HS-6 under a .358" SWC with a 18 BHN. This load is the max listed in the Lyman manual and potentially the most accurate but for the first time ever I produced a load that was way to hot to shoot in any gun. I only fired 3 of the rounds and stopped, it was just too hot... I took the remaining 7 rounds apart and dropped the powder charge to 9.7gr.
Bought a Ruger Blackhawk cheap because the owner said it was terribly inaccurate. Checked it over and saw it had a very smooth looking barrel. The owner had been shooting hot loaded soft lead bullets he got from his buddy who reloaded. A Lewis Lead Remover and a lot of work and this gun now one of the most accurate single actions I own.
smoothshooter
Member
For my use, jacketed bullets are a colossal waste of money in a handgun.
Mercury ????? Have you gone Mad from using it
Himhawkeye
Member
As a kid, my grandfather had a pint jar half full of mercury. We used to pour a puddle in our palm and play with it. I'm now 83 and still know how to tie my shoes.
