Barrel leading--help me out

[jimdana1942]

I am wondering about barrel leading. How much leading can a revolver barrel get without affecting it's ability to fire, not accuracy, but it's ability to shoot in a self defense situation.

I always wonder about that. I remember eons ago I musta shot several thousand rounds thru my .22 rifle and never cleaned it and it always shot and was always accurate.

 

[Chained Lightnin']

About 800 rounds of cast bullets, without cleaning, did the trick on my model 65.

 

[scooterj]

Your cylinder will lead up not allowing the rounds to seat long before your barrel will show any ill effects.

 

[Quickdraw22]

Are you shooting super hot loads, or bullets cast from peanut butter-like lead?

My dad ran around 150K rounds through his S&W 19, and his only experiences with leading were when it was extremely hot outside. These were all low velocity wadcutters, if that makes any difference

I know you're not putting THAT many rounds through that .454 !!!!

 

[Storm52]

It isn't recommended to use a brush in the barrel of a 22 RF. Run a wet patch of Hoppes #9 or if using nothing but copper a copper solvent and let it sit. Follow with patches.
When I shot wadcutters, with good cast bullets, I would shoot a cylinder of copper jacketed at the end of a session.
The answer really relies on the quality of cast/lead you are using. As mentioned, if you have heavy wheel weight stuff, you will get leading faster than you can reload. The type of lube is important also.

 

[artabr]

As the others have said it all depends on the bullet & the load.

This works great as a lead remover. You cut a patch size piece and run it through your bore.
Mid-south is a good place to do business with as far as reloading goes if the locals are out.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0001231001


I think Pro Shot makes a similar product. Flitz on a patch also works.



Art

 

[Akajun]

Leading in a revolver is a pain in the butt. However most leading in revolvers is actually tin deposits caused by gas cutting of the bullet by the powder and are accumulated in or on the face of the forcing cone. This can build up enough where the cylinder will not turn anymore. Leading causes are too hard an alloy which does not let the bullet base obiturate properly, or improperly sized bullets which are too small for the throat of the revolver in question.

True leading which goes the length of the barrel, but mostly to the end, is caused by improper lube. However it is easy to remove, and can usually be done with solvent and a bronze brush. However focing cone leading usually requires a stainless steel brush and a Lewis lead remover. Also you can try firing a few hacketed bullets out of the gun as the last rounds fired which will usually remove most of the buildup.

 

[smith625]

+1 i shoot revolver in matches every weekend, the cylinder is also always my concern, as i have to load several times during a stage. The barrel gets a good cleaning about ev ery 500 rounds. That is using a bullet i cast and thompson bullet lube. My 2 cents.