Lead Fouling

cdbeagle · February 27, 2013, 08:28 PM

I have a Colt Cobra and DS. The only ammo I have been able to find lately is Winchester White box 150 grain lead round nose, which I have been using. Will these bullets cause fouling in the barrels? And this may seem like a stupid question but how can I tell if there is lead fouling? I have a bore light but don't know what lead fouling looks like. I am new to revolvers as you can probably tell.

Ozzieman · February 27, 2013, 08:38 PM

Will they? Yes but only if you shoot a lot of them.
What you look for is at the start of the barrel. You will see gray streaks along the lands. It’s easy to get out as long as you don’t let it build up. A good brush and cleaner like Hoppe's will take care of it.
I have never used Win lead so I don’t know how hard they are but most bullets will take up to 1000 feet per second without causing a lot of leading.
I shoot almost nothing but lead and I reload, I shoot a lot during the summer and have never had a problem.
Do a Google search for “Leaded barrel” and select images and you can see what leading looks like.

jad0110 · February 27, 2013, 08:42 PM

Lead buildup will be obvious when you see it. It will be dull compared to the surrounding metal. The best solution I've found is the Lewis Lead Remover tool, along with a home brew cleaner known as "Ed's Red" (equal parts kerosene, acetone, mineral spirts and transmission fluid). There are some variations in the additives, so you might goodle "Ed's Red" to do you own research. Makes a very good, affordable lead remover that is safe to use on blued finishes. FYI, the Ed's Red by itself works pretty good, especially if you soak to bore and chambers right after shooting. Just remove the grips if they are wood.

Super Sneaky Steve · February 27, 2013, 09:57 PM

I get some copper Chore Boy and wrap it around my copper brush, it will scrub it right out.

If the lead bullet is sized right and lubed right you'll get very little lead in your barrel.

Frasier · February 28, 2013, 12:11 AM

I have been shooting the 240 grain Winchester 44 special cowboy action rounds in my Model 21. Leaves a lot of lead in the barrel, but very accurate.

cdbeagle · February 28, 2013, 01:30 AM

The DS didn't have any fouling but the Cobra did. I used some Hoppe's Copper and Lead remover. Let it soak for a couple of hours and still had a hard time getting the lead out. Took a lot of scrubbing with a bronze brush. I purchased both revolvers in November and have fired about 75 rounds through each of them. I imagine the fouling was there when I bought the Cobra. Thanks for the advice.

bamaranger · February 28, 2013, 04:06 AM

Another vote for the Lewis tool. I have heard of the Choreboy trick, but have not tried it.

Rodger_p · February 28, 2013, 07:14 AM

I use the Chore Boy method. Solid copper type only. Very effective, very cheap, very fast.

Rodger

Pharm · February 28, 2013, 09:27 AM

I've used the Lewis with good results. I've gotten lazy so mostly shoot jacketed bullets now.

cdbeagle · March 7, 2013, 08:49 PM

Where can I buy the Copper Chore Boy? haven't seen them at Walmart and would like to save some time driving around looking for them.

Super Sneaky Steve · March 7, 2013, 10:43 PM

I got mine at Walgreens. Looks like this.

cdbeagle · March 7, 2013, 11:20 PM

Thanks.

rclark · March 8, 2013, 01:04 PM

I have used both methods .... the Lewis Lead Remover and the chore Boy. Both work great. The Lewis Lead Remover is gathering dust though as the Chore Boy is much faster as you just use it like a brush. You don't have unscrew, rescrew for another pass down the barrel like the Lewis. When the strands break you just pull another strand and wrap around the brush to get a tight fit in the barrel. Don't have to use often, but nice to have around! Just make sure it is pure copper ... not copper plated...

cdbeagle · March 8, 2013, 03:11 PM

I am definitely going to try Chore Boy.

cdbeagle · March 10, 2013, 02:09 PM

Okay I found some pure copper Chore Boy. This may sound like a stupid question but do I wrap one strand around my brush or just cut off a piece that is still webbed and wrap it around the brush?

Petespacking · March 10, 2013, 04:50 PM

Wrap about a 3" long piece around an old bronze brush, make it as tight as possible. Form it with your fingers so it is close to the right size and push it into the barrel. It will be tight going in but will form to the rifling right away. Scrub about a dozen strokes and run a patch through. That is about all my barrels need. Depending on the severity you might need more.

Super Sneaky Steve · March 10, 2013, 07:59 PM

Get some wire cutters out of your tool box. They will do the job.

cdbeagle · March 10, 2013, 08:12 PM

Thanks guys.

rclark · March 10, 2013, 08:24 PM

It breaks easy when you pull hard on it

. I just pull a 'long' strand from the mesh... as long as I can get.... Then I just wrap the brush until you really can't tell it is a brush. Just so long as you get a nice real tight fit in the barrel.

Something like this:

cdbeagle · March 10, 2013, 08:31 PM

Thanks for the picture, I am not a good visualizer.

February 27, 2013, 08:28 PM	#1
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Lead Fouling I have a Colt Cobra and DS. The only ammo I have been able to find lately is Winchester White box 150 grain lead round nose, which I have been using. Will these bullets cause fouling in the barrels? And this may seem like a stupid question but how can I tell if there is lead fouling? I have a bore light but don't know what lead fouling looks like. I am new to revolvers as you can probably tell. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

February 27, 2013, 08:38 PM	#2
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Will they? Yes but only if you shoot a lot of them. What you look for is at the start of the barrel. You will see gray streaks along the lands. It’s easy to get out as long as you don’t let it build up. A good brush and cleaner like Hoppe's will take care of it. I have never used Win lead so I don’t know how hard they are but most bullets will take up to 1000 feet per second without causing a lot of leading. I shoot almost nothing but lead and I reload, I shoot a lot during the summer and have never had a problem. Do a Google search for “Leaded barrel” and select images and you can see what leading looks like. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

February 28, 2013, 01:30 AM	#6
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	The DS didn't have any fouling but the Cobra did. I used some Hoppe's Copper and Lead remover. Let it soak for a couple of hours and still had a hard time getting the lead out. Took a lot of scrubbing with a bronze brush. I purchased both revolvers in November and have fired about 75 rounds through each of them. I imagine the fouling was there when I bought the Cobra. Thanks for the advice. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

February 28, 2013, 04:06 AM	#7
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,318	Lewis tool Another vote for the Lewis tool. I have heard of the Choreboy trick, but have not tried it.

March 7, 2013, 08:49 PM	#10
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Where can I buy the Copper Chore Boy? haven't seen them at Walmart and would like to save some time driving around looking for them. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

February 27, 2013, 08:42 PM	#3
jad0110 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 761	Lead buildup will be obvious when you see it. It will be dull compared to the surrounding metal. The best solution I've found is the Lewis Lead Remover tool, along with a home brew cleaner known as "Ed's Red" (equal parts kerosene, acetone, mineral spirts and transmission fluid). There are some variations in the additives, so you might goodle "Ed's Red" to do you own research. Makes a very good, affordable lead remover that is safe to use on blued finishes. FYI, the Ed's Red by itself works pretty good, especially if you soak to bore and chambers right after shooting. Just remove the grips if they are wood.

February 27, 2013, 09:57 PM	#4
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	I get some copper Chore Boy and wrap it around my copper brush, it will scrub it right out. If the lead bullet is sized right and lubed right you'll get very little lead in your barrel.

February 28, 2013, 12:11 AM	#5
Frasier Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2011 Posts: 197	I have been shooting the 240 grain Winchester 44 special cowboy action rounds in my Model 21. Leaves a lot of lead in the barrel, but very accurate.

February 28, 2013, 07:14 AM	#8
Rodger_p Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2004 Location: East TN. Posts: 207	I use the Chore Boy method. Solid copper type only. Very effective, very cheap, very fast. Rodger

February 28, 2013, 09:27 AM	#9
Pharm Member Join Date: February 5, 2013 Posts: 38	I've used the Lewis with good results. I've gotten lazy so mostly shoot jacketed bullets now.

March 7, 2013, 10:43 PM	#11
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	I got mine at Walgreens. Looks like this.

March 7, 2013, 11:20 PM	#12
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Thanks. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

March 8, 2013, 01:04 PM	#13
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,624	I have used both methods .... the Lewis Lead Remover and the chore Boy. Both work great. The Lewis Lead Remover is gathering dust though as the Chore Boy is much faster as you just use it like a brush. You don't have unscrew, rescrew for another pass down the barrel like the Lewis. When the strands break you just pull another strand and wrap around the brush to get a tight fit in the barrel. Don't have to use often, but nice to have around! Just make sure it is pure copper ... not copper plated... __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

March 8, 2013, 03:11 PM	#14
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	I am definitely going to try Chore Boy. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

March 10, 2013, 02:09 PM	#15
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Okay I found some pure copper Chore Boy. This may sound like a stupid question but do I wrap one strand around my brush or just cut off a piece that is still webbed and wrap it around the brush? __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

March 10, 2013, 04:50 PM	#16
Petespacking Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2009 Posts: 108	Wrap about a 3" long piece around an old bronze brush, make it as tight as possible. Form it with your fingers so it is close to the right size and push it into the barrel. It will be tight going in but will form to the rifling right away. Scrub about a dozen strokes and run a patch through. That is about all my barrels need. Depending on the severity you might need more.

March 10, 2013, 07:59 PM	#17
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	Get some wire cutters out of your tool box. They will do the job.

March 10, 2013, 08:12 PM	#18
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Thanks guys. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

March 10, 2013, 08:24 PM	#19
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,624	It breaks easy when you pull hard on it . I just pull a 'long' strand from the mesh... as long as I can get.... Then I just wrap the brush until you really can't tell it is a brush. Just so long as you get a nice real tight fit in the barrel. Something like this: __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

March 10, 2013, 08:31 PM	#20
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Thanks for the picture, I am not a good visualizer. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council