9mm PC/Lead residue

[fiver]

yep it took me a while to run the funnel in my electric drill and garnet paper it up high enough to do what I wanted.
[I polished it with a green scrubby, and it ain't pretty]
I'm running a LEE carbide size die, the modified powder funnel, an old steel rcbs seat die, and a Dillon taper crimp die on the 550.

 

[Lagamor]

The other night I had problems loading hornaday self defense ammo. I've put this project on hold until my new Lewis Lead Remover and "Lead Remover" chemical gets delivered so I can see how much build up is in the chamber/ barrel.
They don't look bad, but I'm still a novice and I think there is build up there I can't see. Will contemplate modifying a .38 powder funnel, I think that's a good idea.
Today I'm going to clean molds and load 12 guage so I don't go crazy waiting for delivery.

 

[Ian]

Go in there with a flat-head pocket screwdriver or a pick and dig that PC ring out of the end of the chamber and you'll be fine. Some 4-0 steel wool wrapped around a bronze brush and soaked straight acetone or MEK will get any PC residue out of the bore, along with any lead.

 

[fiver]

the Lewis is just a rod and some brass screen.

 

[Hawk]

For lead removal, I just use a brass brush wrapped with some strands of brass from a brass Chore Boy scouring pad.

 

[JohnD]

I use a worn brush and Chore Boy to clean barrels as well. I run a dry brush/Chore Boy down the barrel a few times, and that usually gets it clean.

 

[Pistolero]

"The Lewis is just a rod and some brass screen."

Hmm. Mine has a nice rig which clamps a center drilled circular brass screen with a rubber
underneath it to hold that screen wrap HARD against the bore, so it scrapes out the lead very quickly.
I found it to be excellent for removing lead. Have not needed it in at least 15 years,
thank goodness.

Bill

 

[Ian]

I got one, .45 pistol caliber, never used it. Have a plastic drawer full of various decommissioned (i.e. worn beyond usefulness) bronze bore and cylinder brushes which have been refreshed with 100% copper O'Cedar scouring pad material and a few wrapped in steel wool. Maybe once I fix the last of my thread-choked Rugers I can throw most of that stuff away.

Speaking of thread choke, my 1872 Open Top clone has never, ever leaded not one tiny bit, making it the only .45 Colt revolver I own that hasn't. It also has zero choke in the barrel. Imagine that.

 

[Pistolero]

Once you get your lathe, you can do the "unscrew the barrel and trim the shoulder" trick to remove the
choke from any that have it. Not hard to do. You do need to make gripping blocks for the frame, though,
to unscrew it. Oak works fine, although a friend has a S&W rubber block tool, too.

Lewis lead remover will take it all out in about 3-4 passes, even serious leading. For
really bad leading, the screen comes out nearly choked on the first pass, needs to be
cleaned with a brush before reusing.

Bill

 

[Lagamor]

I cleaned the barrel/ throat out with the Lewis Lead Remover tool. (Works great). Then I prepped my bullets, fixed the over-crimping, two coats with long 30+ minute bake times and sized them again.
I went to the range with high hopes and the first twenty fired without a hiccup.
Then it happened, and I could see the build up with my eye. The build up was culmitive. Sometimes a round would hit it right and the buildup would eject with the bullet., but it got worse the more I fired it.
My next step is to use a slower burning powder. If that doesn't work I will get the barrel thoated.

 

[Brad]

I would just get it throated. The bullets are scraping off on the short, steep throats because of the throat, not due to powder burn rate.
My wife had an art teacher who had what she called scab theory- picking at it never makes it better. Stop picking at it.

 

[fiver]

the leading and the ring are telling you what is happening.
the leading is the result of the main problem.

 

[Brad]

Yep. Scrape the side of the bullet on the throats and nothing good is gonna happen afterwards. Doesn't matter if it happens fast or slow, high pressure or low, the damage was done in the throat.
Would be interesting to see some recovered bullets. But they would shed some light.
My CZ75 didn't get a ring of lead in the throat but it did lead a bit. I tried lots of different things to stop the leading. Some made it better but it didn't really stop until I had the barrel throated. It also handles a variety of ammo better, it was a bit picky due to the short throat.

 

[fiver]

your CZ had me flummoxed.
we both got the same gun, the same mold, used the same lube, the same powder, diameter,etc.
and you kept on having leading issues.
I was like WTH all the time.
then you showed that picture and it was like ahhh there it is, right there, I can see it from here.

 

[Brad]

Difference is the way the throats was cut and how well the job was done. Yours was good from the start, mine wasn't. Doug fixed that for me.

 

[Lagamor]

I am getting the barrel throated. Have high hopes as I love this gun.
I believed for a long time that a TC mold might have been better fit for this particular barrel. My over analysis led to paralysis.
Everyone's suggestions did improve my processes a lot though. Definitely making better bullets these days.

 

[Ian]

Your pistol may still like the TC bullet, even after throating. I bet it does.

 

[freebullet]

I shoot more 9mm than anything else. The best bullet in all of them has been the plain ole' Lee 356-125 2r. Long as it cast round & of large enough diameter it's tough to beat in any 9mm.

The mp359-129hp is a very close second overall, & the favorite hollow point for numerous 9mm.