1858 Remington cleaning lead buildup in barrel... what is safe.

[Mule333]

Hi,

I have a small amount of lead buildup in the barrel.

Has anyone here used chemical to dissolve the lead, such as white vinegar and peroxide. Is it safe,

if used wisely.

Or should I use some type of scraping method.

Thanks,

 

[bang]

Vinegar not good on finish.
I've never had lead build up in mine.
Are you using lube over ball?
Are you shooting pure lead?
If I remember correctly Hoops 9.

 

[Mule333]

No, no lube... my mistake.

Bought this about 2-3 years ago. Converted it to a 45 long colt (Kirst Converter). Shot less than 50 times.
After cleaning it patches came back grey. After careful inspection, I can see small amount of lead in lower part of the barrel.

It's not a "killer" problem.... just bugs me. Watched some YouTube videos on the subject and found that I'm not the only one that has had this problem.

Some clean it with chemical, others scrap it out with ramrod and copper wire.

Just need some "Pro" advice.

Thanks

 

[kje54]

No, no lube... my mistake.

Bought this about 2-3 years ago. Converted it to a 45 long colt (Kirst Converter). Shot less than 50 times.
After cleaning it patches came back grey. After careful inspection, I can see small amount of lead in lower part of the barrel.

It's not a "killer" problem.... just bugs me. Watched some YouTube videos on the subject and found that I'm not the only one that has had this problem.

Some clean it with chemical, others scrap it out with ramrod and copper wire.

Just need some "Pro" advice.

Thanks

DO NOT use vinegar or peroxide, it will damage the finish. I use vinegar to remove bluing from barrels and other blued parts, I use a vinegar, peroxide, salt mix to age barrels. A brass brush aught to remove any lead stuck in grooves.

 

[bang]

Are you loading your own? If so slow them down some will help.

 

[theoldredneck]

I used a Lewis lead remover for years on cartridge revolvers and they work great. Friend used brass brush wrapped with a cut up Chore boy copper scrub pad. Works better and cheaper than lewis lead remover. I haven't used the lewis since trying his method. The Chore boy pads are cheap, in kitchen cleaning section of most stores. I take a correct caliber brush, wrap it will the copper scrubbing material from pad and just scrub the inside of the barrel. It gets all the lead out. For some type guns where leading is a problem fire lapping helps. Barrels that are not rusty but a little rough from manufacturing process can be lapped smoother. It works with cap and ball as well as cartridge that isn't discussed here

 

[JHB]

Caution about Chore Boy some like the kind you get at Wal Mart is copper plated steel. Brownells carries bronze wool his is better.

 

[Mule333]

Yes, I’m loading my on loads with my Lee single step loader.... Shoots great!

should have loaded a lubed patch behind the lead.... hindsight as they say is 2020.

Thanks Guys for the advice...

Think I’d better go with the wire brush.

Thanks, Mule

 

[Phil Coffins]

The product called " Wipe Out " will clean your barrel very well. Sold at gun stores or on line, just follow the instructions on the can. No brushes needed.
Also softer bullets will reduce the leading to begin with. Hard lead is for hot loads.

 

[OldRust]

Caution about Chore Boy some like the kind you get at Wal Mart is copper plated steel. Brownells carries bronze wool his is better.

I always check the copper and bronze wool with a magnet. Some vendors pass off plated steel wool as solid copper

Thanks
O.R.

 

[Mule333]

Wow.... great idea O. R.

 

[Griz44Mag]

I use Butch's Bore shine - wipe wet and let it soak 15 minutes - does a pretty good job.
As mentioned above, put a lube cap on top of the bullet after loading.
The lube will be pushed down the barrel AHEAD of the lead plug and it help or eliminate completely the barrel leading issue.
I use a 50-50 beeswax and olive oil plug I make with a couple of cartridge cases. Keeps the mess to a minimum and are quick to apply.
Using these I get ZERO leading with balls or bullets.
Others here will use crisco or a soft commercial bullet lube.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

Lewis Lead Remover is made for exactly this application. Fine copper mesh screens over soft rubber plugs. A few swipes and the lead is gone. Every cast bullet shooter should own one.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Mule333]

Hmmm... good idea Griz! ... I’ve got Crisco. Can you get beeswax at Walmart, CVS, HomeDepot?

 

[Phil Coffins]

Did everyone miss that this is cartridge gun?

 

[Griz44Mag]

Hmmm... good idea Griz! ... I’ve got Crisco. Can you get beeswax at Walmart, CVS, HomeDepot?

I ordered mine from RandyRat over on castboolits web site. He also sells pre-mixed lubes made from beeswax if you want convenience.
Look into vendors at your local farmers market as well. There are usually beekeepers selling honey there, sometimes just asking them about beeswax will get a great response. It also makes great candles - I love the aroma!

 

[Griz44Mag]

Did everyone miss that this is cartridge gun?

Not missed, but lubing the tops of the bullet - even if they are cartridge - still works great.
I lube the tops of my long colt revolver home cast rounds too. (By dipping them to the ogive.)
Since the question is how to stop leading, the answer would be universal to any lead projectile.
The answer for a cartridge gun would #1 - use a harder alloy and #2 - lube the bullet from the top.
For the hardness solution - use the Lee 2nd edition table on hardness vs pressure.

 

[Mule333]

Thanks to all you Guys for your help.

Guess it’s time to pull lead, start reworking loads.

 

[Mule333]

BTW .... it’s soft lead. I can “mark” it with my thumbnail.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Thanks to all you Guys for your help.
Guess it’s time to pull lead, start reworking loads.

I wouldn't pull them.
Dip the ends in lube or cap the loaded cylinder with a lube cake - and they will do just fine.