Cylinder ring cleaning question?

[stock]

I was reading Headknockers excellent post on removing the cylinder ring when using .38 in a .357 cylinder.
This got me concerned as I have a number of revolvers that I shoot shorter cartridges in, ie .38/.357, .44sp/.44mag and .45/.454/.460.

Can the cylinder ring be prevented with normal cleaning and if so how often?
If I am using the shorter cartridges regularly could I just do a good job on the cylinder ring after "x" number of rounds?

Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions,

Stock

 

[scooter123]

I shoot a lot of 38 spl. with my 620 and do nearly all of my shooting of my 610 with 40 caliber ammo. BTW, normal consumption for a range session with either gun is 50 to 100 rounds. What I have found is that cleaning either gun immediately after a range session makes it easy to stay on top of this problem.

What I do is patch out the cylinder with lead away cleaning patches until each chamber is perfectly clean. It only takes about 15 minutes to a half hour if I do it as soon as I get home. If I wait a few days, the carbon fouling seems to take a "set" and it take a bit longer to get them to clean up. I have also found that the lead away cleaning cloths are great for cleaning the carbon fouling from the face of the cylinder.

Finally, sometimes I shoot 357 Magnums after warming up with 38 spl. in my 620. What I have found is that the first 2 cylinder loads with the longer case can require a firm push to seat some cartridges. However, after just 2 cylinders with the stronger load the rounds will drop in freely. I suspect that shooting the high pressure Magnums just pulverizes the carbon ring, which is why just 2 cylinders frees everything up.

 

[dfariswheel]

Probably the fastest, and one of the safest for the gun methods is to use bronze chamber brushes from Brownell's.

These are special extra-stiff bristle over-sized brushes made specifically for cleaning fouling out of chambers without damaging them.

To use, simply "screw" the brush into the chamber and give it a couple of turns.
Push all the way through, then pull back out.
In most cases the chamber will be perfectly clean.

Buy them from Brownell's and DON'T buy stainless steel brushes. These damage chambers.

 

[OKFC05]

Most effective I've found are the Brownells "Tornado" brushes. Unlike conventional steel brushes, the are like spiral wound springs and wil not damage the chambers.
BROWNELLS : Brownells Search : Search Results for "tornado" - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools
For stubborn cases, a 15 minute soak with Shooter's Choice prior to brushing does the trick.

 

[sar4937]

I have been using a .357 case belled out, followed by a bronze brush on a cordless drill. I have not found a way to prevent it.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

The gun is not made of plastic!

I use the stainless steel bore brushes with no ill effects. You don't even need solvents with the brush. Using with the handle push it thru twice and go to next chamber. Life is easy!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

You can also use the Lewis lead removal tool for this job.