Bore Leading

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Muley Hunter

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Since starting with muzzleloaders in 1980 i've shot and hunted with a PRB. Before 1980 I use a Win 94 in 30-30 and shot a Partition.

So, I have no real experience with shooting lead conicals. My concern is the bore leading up. I'll just be using the NoExcuse now. I use BH 209 and have been using Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber to clean out the BH. It claims to clean nitro fouling and copper.

So, for those who shoot lead conicals. What's your procedure and solvent choice for getting the leading out of the bore?

Thanks.
 
Since starting with muzzleloaders in 1980 i've shot and hunted with a PRB. Before 1980 I use a Win 94 in 30-30 and shot a Partition.

So, I have no real experience with shooting lead conicals. My concern is the bore leading up. I'll just be using the NoExcuse now. I use BH 209 and have been using Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber to clean out the BH. It claims to clean nitro fouling and copper.

So, for those who shoot lead conicals. What's your procedure and solvent choice for getting the leading out of the bore?

Thanks.

If you use an 1/8” Wool Felt Over powder Wad, You won’t have any problems Pete :lewis: The ONLY times i have had any issues with Leading is when i Shot without an Over Powder Wad. Plus you want to protect the Bullet Base, The Bases are more important than the Nose for Flight. I actually did a Short Video on this Quite some time Back, Showing Bore leading by NOT using an OP Wad
 
I use turpentine and cotton balls along with regular cleaning methods. I've heard kroil works to loosen it also. But plain old turpentine will do the job.
 
I forgot about the wads. Dave from NoExcuse did say this in his FAQ.

"Wads? I have used the treated fiber wads in the past, and for a time, thought they improved accuracy. I have since done some (unscientific) testing and have concluded they neither increase or decrease accuracy in my rifles. They do have a tendency to “swab” the barrel each time they are loaded and may minimize the “fouling” effect from the previous shot. This may or may not be a good thing on those bores that are slightly oversized. In a nut-shell I’d do your own testing on your individual gun."

I'll give them a try. Do you have a link for what you like Lewis? Lubed or unlubed? I hate to mix another lube with what's on the bullet now.
 
I forgot about the wads. Dave from NoExcuse did say this in his FAQ.

"Wads? I have used the treated fiber wads in the past, and for a time, thought they improved accuracy. I have since done some (unscientific) testing and have concluded they neither increase or decrease accuracy in my rifles. They do have a tendency to “swab” the barrel each time they are loaded and may minimize the “fouling” effect from the previous shot. This may or may not be a good thing on those bores that are slightly oversized. In a nut-shell I’d do your own testing on your individual gun."

I'll give them a try. Do you have a link for what you like Lewis? Lubed or unlubed? I hate to mix another lube with what's on the bullet now.

These are the ones i use Pete, Oxyoke Brand, I prefer an oversized on average (.54 in a .50) But truth is i have had just as good of Luck with the Correct Bore Size

You can get them Dry, or Lubed. The ones i get are Lubed Simply because that’s all Buffalo Carries, I have tried both, I can’t tell any Difference between them? Whatever they use (Wonder lube 1000 plus I believe it says?) They are Lubed REALLY light/sparingly, maybe not at all? I have squeezed them between Paper towels in a VICE and i cant even get a Spot to Show on the Paper towel? So i have no worries with them On my Powder. For Hunting, me being me, I would get the Dry ones, That way you know for D@MN Sure there isn’t any Contaminate touching the powder
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/174/1
 
Thanks, Lewis. I'll get some and see how it goes.

I'll also try the turpentine too. Just in case. I'll leave JB alone though. This is the first gun i've had that the NoExuses fit tight enough to make me happy shooting BH which needs a tighter fit than other powders. Using JB will loosen up the fit a little.
 
Thanks, Lewis. I'll get some and see how it goes.

I'll also try the turpentine too. Just in case. I'll leave JB alone though. This is the first gun i've had that the NoExuses fit tight enough to make me happy shooting BH which needs a tighter fit than other powders. Using JB will loosen up the fit a little.
Possibly true but ive found the accuracy improves......
 
Possibly true but ive found the accuracy improves......

Yes, it would once it's leaded up. I guess my best plan is to do all I can to prevent it from getting leaded. As Kirby said, my light loads shouldn't be a big problem.

Light loads with a wad and turp is my plan.

Thanks, guys.
 
once you get leading it very hard to get out. Usually bullet doesn't fit or no wad, wad to small. like man said turpentine, JB bore paste , works , kroil works mixed with the turp
Yea, I have some jb and will scrub my inline out with it because of all the hateful plastic fouling from sabots. And if I ever get it clean, it will never see a sabot again.
 
In 30 years of practice, hunting and completion - it’s only happened 2x, my fault both times with PP bullets. I felt the paper move/strip while seating the bullet. My bad for not pulling. I used JB bore paste the last time, 1st time was so long ago I don’t recall.
Never have had a problem with lead GG conicals. But, I make/cast my own bullets and use SPG lube.
Always use a wad with a flat base. I don’t with a deep cavity base.

With BH209, I won a match 168/170 shooting subsonic (35grW) and a bore diameter conical (hunting bullet) - no issues with 40 consecutive shots.
When cleaning, I wipe it out with patches and oil, same as I do with black powder (I just avoid water on my 1st patch or 2 with BH209). Have not found the need to use solvent -yet.

i hope you haven’t got a leading problem?
 
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There is an effective lead cleaner that you can make. its a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. You have to be very careful with it tho. It turns the lead into a black substance that can be absorbed thru the skin, and you do not want to leave it in the barrel for more than a few minutes without cleaning it thoroughly, drying and re lubing the bore. It makes a mild acid solution which is the only true lead 'solvent'. Its much safer to just scrub, scrub, scrub it out with the steel or copper wool or JB or any commercially available gun solvent. I shoot conicals and push them with up to 90 grainsV of bh209(usually only 80-85grV) and have gotten no leading so far. Lotta grease on my bullets tho. And the oversized wads. If (when) i get leading im not going to use this vinegar solvent because its a nasty toxic chemical mess.
 
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There is an effective lead cleaner that you can make. its a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. You have to be very careful with it tho. It turns the lead into a black substance that can be absorbed thru the skin, and you do not want to leave it in the barrel for more than a few minutes without cleaning it thoroughly, drying and re lubing the bore. It makes a mild acid solution which is the only true lead 'solvent'. Its much safer to just scrub, scrub, scrub it out with the steel or copper wool or JB or any commercially available gun solvent. I shoot conicals and push them with up to 90 grainsV of bh209(usually only 80-85grV) and have gotten no leading so far. Lotta grease on my bullets tho. And the oversized wads. If (when) i get leading im not going to use the solvent because its a nasty toxic chemical mess.
Good info muzzy !!! I know many Wont use a stainless brush either but They Work Awfully Good when the leading is really , really bad . Never hurt a bore with one either !!!!
I agree the steel or copper wool Most of the time is enough . Ive purchased a few though that were BAD !!! Finally got them clean with a stainless brush no harm at all done . Id never heard of this mix youve given or turpintine before . One guy i bought his gun and 2 weeks later and $150 profit plus supplies he bought it back !!!! Saw him again and he said it NEVER shot like that !!! Lol !!! I did polish that bore up Really Good afterwards with White scotchh brite ONLY Till Smooth , jb bore paste , then rouge . It was a MIRROR !!! Had to go and tell him about the steel wool though . It never was for sale again !!!
 
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It's easier to not use vinegar. :)
Just the same the black oxide is a good tip for everybody . Will turn stainless black too . On steel its about 2 or 3 times as rust resistant as blueing as a bonus . Oldtime blueing is about gone too because its very toxic to the enviroment . On a polished surface its shiney black , on a glass beaded surface its a really purty velvety flat black . Deep , deep coloring too . Exceptional , especialy for the price !!! Only takes about 2 hrs too !!!
 
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