Heavy leading removal

[JayZuv]

After shooting 50 rounds of .38 special from PPU, I looked at my bore and found that it was coated in thick lead deposits. Certainly won't be shooting that stuff again. After several hours, and a few different attempts, I thought I would share what worked for me to get all of that crud out. Soaking and scrubbing with Hoppes no. 9 made very little progress, so I plugged the barrel at the muzzle and filled the barrel to the breech with Kroil. After sitting for about an hour I drained it, and started scrubbing with a bronze brush. After 10 or so passes I started seeing long strands of lead falling out. I continued, and ran a fresh kroil soaked patch through every 15 or so passes, repeating this until all of the lead deposits slid right out. It may have already been talked about, but Kroil seems to be an awesome product to get stuff out of your barrel that doesn't want to come lose. I have attached a photo of some of the slivers of lead that came out of my barrel after the soak.

IMG_3037 2.JPG

[fortyshooter]

Yeah...that's not good and could have been affecting bullet accuracy. Might want to measure the cylinder throats to see if they are more than .002 over size of bullet diameter. That can cause leading. Maybe try some better jacketed ammo if you can find it. I would think that revolver given it's quality reputation would have cylinder throats and barrel bore size right on the money but you never know.
Thanks for that Kroil cleaning tip!

[JayZuv]

I will certainly do that, I usually only shoot jacketed bullets so this is all new to me

[Rifletom]

Oh man, that is some nasty leading! I don't think I've ever seen that before. Your idea to use Kroil was a good one as Kroil is a very good penatrate. Good stuff. If it was those PPU's, I'd stay away from those. Yuk!

[fortyshooter]

38 Specials can get away with softer lead bullets due to the slower speed vs. a .357 Magnum load. But if bullet diameter is too small for the cylinder throat hot gases can leak around bullet causing leading if the bullet fails to expand enough to seal the bore.
If you are loading your own rounds might try some of the cast lead coated bullets like those from Missouri Bullets or plated lead like Xtreme.
I have same problem with my Ruger Alaskan when shooting my .45 Colt loads. Cylinder throats on that are .455 for a .452 bullet.

[markiver54]

Good to know! Ya just never know what ammo we could be reduced to shooting these days, based on availability. I don't reload, so factory ammo is what I depend on.

[Rifletom]

Good to know! Ya just never know what ammo we could be reduced to shooting these days, based on availability. I don't reload, so factory ammo is what I depend on.

When things settle down and components are more readily available, we need to convert you Mark. It's the only way to go.
What do you think?

[JayZuv]

Thanks for the tips forty, you can imagine the panic that set in when I peeked down the brand new barrel and saw all that. Mark I agree you should give reloading a try. admittedly I still buy factory loads here and there when I find a good deal, but I do like knowing that if I run out of ammo all I have to do is go make some more

[markiver54]

Good to know! Ya just never know what ammo we could be reduced to shooting these days, based on availability. I don't reload, so factory ammo is what I depend on.

When things settle down and components are more readily available, we need to convert you Mark. It's the only way to go.
What do you think?

You may be right Tom. i HAVE saved a lot of 357 brass over the years, so it might make sense for me at some point

[Rifletom]

Whenever you need info on handloading, you'll have a lot of help here.