38 Spl 148gr HBWC problems?

[gwpercle]

Watching this space... eagerly awaiting range test !
Gary

 

[Pantera Mike]

Not out of the woods yet—not even close. I got identical (pathetic) results with Speer bullets. It was suggested to me that I might be suffering from terminal barrel leading even though I only shoot low-velocity loads. I had planned to bring a 357 along to test the ammo in that, but DUH forgot it at home.

I was advised to give the Lewis Lead Remover a try so I just ordered it from Brownells. It will be a couple of weeks before I’m able to get the gun thoroughly De-leaded and head back to the range. I promise an update as and when!

 

[Carrier]

I have Lewis Lead Remover for 38/357 and 44. Some copper Choreboy wrapped around a brush works just as well and most times I use it instead of the Lewis.
I shoot a ton of both Hornady and Speer lead wadcutters and semi wad cutters through all of my 38 and 357 revolvers and there is no leading with them. I have tried some cast ones and they did leave lead as they were a much harder bullet.

 

[stansdds]

The problem with barrel leading is that once it starts, it stays put and grows until it is completely removed. The Lewis Lead Remover is a great tool to have in the cleaning kit when shooting lead bullets. Pure copper Choir Boy (not the cheap, plated steel fake stuff) wrapped around a bore brush is the poor man's Lewis Lead Remover and can work remarkably well and is easy to assemble and use.

 

[Pantera Mike]

Success! I used the Lewis Lead Remover kit and was amazed at how much leading I was able to get out of the barrel. Following this I shot half a box and the result was nice, round holes, all in the black shooting offhand at 35 yards. My faith in my trusty Model 1905 is restored, thanks to your advice. I’m so happy I’m going back to the range tomorrow.

Thanks again!

 

[kraynky]

Success! I used the Lewis Lead Remover kit and was amazed at how much leading I was able to get out of the barrel. Following this I shot half a box and the result was nice, round holes, all in the black shooting offhand at 35 yards. My faith in my trusty Model 1905 is restored, thanks to your advice. I’m so happy I’m going back to the range tomorrow.

Thanks again!

You'd better! You've got 2,400 bullets to shoot up! I've had a Lewis for probably 25-30 years now, buying new screens as needed. My 4" 66-1 has fired many a thousand of the 148 gr. HBWC's over the years. BE was my old favorite, but danged if I remember the charge weight.

I used to have a 638 that would cloverleaf those bullets at 7 yards. Little dime sized groups were the norm. My eyes were pre-cataract back then tho...... sure wish I'd hung onto that little guy.

Glad you got it sorted out! Shoot'em up!

 

[gwpercle]

Success! I used the Lewis Lead Remover kit and was amazed at how much leading I was able to get out of the barrel. Following this I shot half a box and the result was nice, round holes, all in the black shooting offhand at 35 yards. My faith in my trusty Model 1905 is restored, thanks to your advice. I’m so happy I’m going back to the range tomorrow.

Thanks again!

I wonder if experiences like this was the reason my Dad insisted we clean our guns after every shooting session ?
Maybe the old man was smarter than I thought he was ...whatever the reason , that cleaning after every shooting has stuck with me .

Glad you got the problem solved...
Gary

 

[Pantera Mike]

Oh yes, mea culpa for sure! Clearly my conventional cleaning attempts were woefully insufficient in this case. Lesson learned!

 

[Pantera Mike]

Just FWIW, Speer has a 20% rebate program going on still. I’ve loaded over 1000 rounds in the past few weeks, and just now bought another 1500 bullets. I am in love with this gun all over again after not firing it for more than 20 years just because I didn’t have any ammo loaded for it! I’m never going to let that happen again!