Caked Bore

philman · February 15th, 2009, 02:46 PM

OK, I found that the bore of my XD is caked with I assume lead. Caked may be an over statement, but it's a good description. I like to think I am pretty good about cleaning my gun, but evidently that is not the case. So, that brings up two obvious questions:

1: How do I clean it, so far I have had little luck.

2: How do I avoid it in the future. Is this from round nose lead bullets?

Bart · February 15th, 2009, 03:09 PM

Yes, from round nose lead bullets. Try soaking the barrel with WD-40 overnight, then a good brushing.

gilliland87 · February 15th, 2009, 04:44 PM

There are any number of comercially available lead cleaners out there, BUTCH'S BORE SHINE at Brownells

I have had good luck with this in the past shooting cast bullets

Some others are
Ed's red (I believe there is a home recipe for that floating around)
Montana 50bmg
Even hoppes and a bore brush but the others will cut it much faster.
I like to try to stick with solvents and patches but have had to in the past resort to using losso bore paste on a barrel mop to remove some really bad fouling in the throat area of a 22-250 but That is always my last resort.
As a side note a god quality brass patch jag matched to your guns caliber is you friend not just those hoppes plastic patch hoops that come in that basic kits. It will push the patch against the bore evenly and clean much more effiecently BRASS JAGS & LOOPS at Brownells

dukalmighty · February 15th, 2009, 05:37 PM

What kinda bullets are you shooting and are they lubed,are you casting your own and if so you do not want to use pure lead as it is too soft and will lead up your barrel quick

cvhoss · February 15th, 2009, 06:25 PM

If you really have a serious leading problem, a Lewis Lead Remover will work wonders.

Hoss

cmidkiff · February 16th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Copper chore-boy scrubber pads, cut a bit off, and wrap it around a brush. Works wonders on getting the lead out.

Make sure it's not steel with a copper coating... a quick check with a magnet will insure you don't ruin a perfectly good barrel.

If you're getting thick leading, quickly, you need to look at the ammo you're using. Leading can be drastically reduced if the load is matched to the hardness of the bullet. Too soft a bullet over too heavy a charge will lead up quickly, as will too hard a bullet over too light a charge.

philman · February 16th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmidkiff

Copper chore-boy scrubber pads, cut a bit off, and wrap it around a brush. Works wonders on getting the lead out.

Make sure it's not steel with a copper coating... a quick check with a magnet will insure you don't ruin a perfectly good barrel.

If you're getting thick leading, quickly, you need to look at the ammo you're using. Leading can be drastically reduced if the load is matched to the hardness of the bullet. Too soft a bullet over too heavy a charge will lead up quickly, as will too hard a bullet over too light a charge.

Armscor Precision 9mm, 124 Gr. lead Round Nose

Rcher · February 16th, 2009, 06:34 PM

I use Break Free Bore Foam. It will break up the lead deposits and the copper from jacketed ammo. The foam turns blue as it encounters the deposits and after 15 mins, you can swab out the entire chamber and bore and it will be good as new. It has worked great for me. I use it on all of my handguns and my AR-15 too.

February 15th, 2009, 02:46 PM	#1
philman Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Centerville, Ohio Posts: 190	Caked Bore OK, I found that the bore of my XD is caked with I assume lead. Caked may be an over statement, but it's a good description. I like to think I am pretty good about cleaning my gun, but evidently that is not the case. So, that brings up two obvious questions: 1: How do I clean it, so far I have had little luck. 2: How do I avoid it in the future. Is this from round nose lead bullets? __________________ I carry a gun for the same reason I own a smoke detector...I never, ever, plan on needing them...but if I do need them, and have them in a box...I won't be able to get to them for use fast enough.

February 15th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#3
gilliland87 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: phx, az Posts: 208	lead build up There are any number of comercially available lead cleaners out there, BUTCH'S BORE SHINE at Brownells I have had good luck with this in the past shooting cast bullets Some others are Ed's red (I believe there is a home recipe for that floating around) Montana 50bmg Even hoppes and a bore brush but the others will cut it much faster. I like to try to stick with solvents and patches but have had to in the past resort to using losso bore paste on a barrel mop to remove some really bad fouling in the throat area of a 22-250 but That is always my last resort. As a side note a god quality brass patch jag matched to your guns caliber is you friend not just those hoppes plastic patch hoops that come in that basic kits. It will push the patch against the bore evenly and clean much more effiecently BRASS JAGS & LOOPS at Brownells

February 15th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#4
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6,383	What kinda bullets are you shooting and are they lubed,are you casting your own and if so you do not want to use pure lead as it is too soft and will lead up your barrel quick __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

February 15th, 2009, 06:25 PM	#5
cvhoss Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,789	If you really have a serious leading problem, a Lewis Lead Remover will work wonders. Hoss __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Sig 239 SAS 40 S&W / Sig 239 9mm / Kahr PM-9 / Walther PPS .40 / Sig P-245 / Ruger LCP Beretta Tomcat / Walther PPK / BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 NRA Life Member My Web Site

February 16th, 2009, 12:53 PM	#6
cmidkiff Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 834	Copper chore-boy scrubber pads, cut a bit off, and wrap it around a brush. Works wonders on getting the lead out. Make sure it's not steel with a copper coating... a quick check with a magnet will insure you don't ruin a perfectly good barrel. If you're getting thick leading, quickly, you need to look at the ammo you're using. Leading can be drastically reduced if the load is matched to the hardness of the bullet. Too soft a bullet over too heavy a charge will lead up quickly, as will too hard a bullet over too light a charge. __________________ Liberty is an inherently offensive lifestyle. Living in a free society guarantees that each one of us will see our most cherished principles and beliefs questioned and in some cases mocked. It's worth it.

February 15th, 2009, 03:09 PM	#2
Bart Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 335	Yes, from round nose lead bullets. Try soaking the barrel with WD-40 overnight, then a good brushing.

February 16th, 2009, 06:34 PM	#8
Rcher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montana (resident) Utah (currently) Posts: 1,092	I use Break Free Bore Foam. It will break up the lead deposits and the copper from jacketed ammo. The foam turns blue as it encounters the deposits and after 15 mins, you can swab out the entire chamber and bore and it will be good as new. It has worked great for me. I use it on all of my handguns and my AR-15 too. __________________ >>----> Keep it Concealed: *"The Element of Surprise is Far Superior than the Target of Fate".*

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