Indians For Guns

What commercially available solvent can I use as a good lead remover?

This is for a .22lr rifle and I'd much rather not use any harsh abrasives.

At present I clean the .22lr bore with a patch dipped in surgical spirit (with the excess mildly squeezed out) and a pull through but I am not convinced this is the best I could use from what could be available in the Indian market.

I only clean the bore on the .22lr when the groups begin to open up, in other words not very often but would like to do a better job on the few occassions that I do clean it.

Thanks.

Mack The Knife

If you can keep it safe-pour a little bit of mercury down the hatch couple of times.You really have to be sure about collecting it all with two brats at home though! Forms an amalgam and can be brushed out easily.
Not the best, but works
best
Axx

Very interesting. Don't recall hearing or reading about mercury before. Does it react with the metal in any way?

Thanks.

Mack The Knife

Mack The Knife,

I hope this helps

http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm

Take care,
penpusher

penpusher.

Thank you very much. Will study it tomorrow.

Mack The Knife

Back in the "Good Old Days", mercury was THE way to remove lead.

Here is a description how to do it:

First, thoroughly clean the bore removing all oil etc, then put a plug in the chamber end. Then with the barrel clamped perfectly vertical, fill with mercury until it is flush with the muzzle. Let stand 30-40 minutes and pour the mercury back into a container, it can be re-used many many times.

Remove the plug, wipe the bore clean with some patches and examine the bore. If fouling remains run a bronze brush through the bore a few times and repeat the process.

I've only done it once (actually I was shown how to do it by an old guy) and it got everything out on the first try.

Excellent stuff!

Can you tell me if it causes pitting with certain barrel steels or affects bluing, not that I have the latter on my rimmie.

The method is similar to how I use CRC Rust Remover in rusted bores, so I know what to expect.

Thanks.

Mack The Knife

Mack The Knife, the lead will form ana amalgam with the mercury and can be easily brushed out-the stubborn spots atleast! no reaction with the rest of the metals/blueing!Did it regularly for the ppk/s after using KF ammo.
Best
Axx

ps: I may have some Mercury at home, will check and let you know on the weekend

No, the mercury will only combine with the lead and leaves the steel alone, that's one of the best things about it.

Many thanks, Mark and Asif.

Mack The Knife

what about Hopps bore cleaning solvent. will that help?
/S/

"I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning...and Hoppe's #9 in the afternoon."
This is a Quote about Hopps i read somewhere!!

Being a dentist I work with mercury/silver amalgam although it is phasing out from practice world wide. Very toxic and would advise anybody to stay away from it at all costs.

Well, let me introduce something new to you. I regularly use petrol additive- "System G" which is used in automobiles in a percentage of 1ml/litre of petrol to clean the engine, carb. etc.
I wet a piece of Napier's Rifle clean with it and just pull it through a few times then the last one is with a light coat of gun oil/Mobil 1.
This leaves the barrel completely clean of combustion fowling, etc. You could possibly keep it in contact with the barrel for a longer time if necessary.

John Whiscombe mixes 1/3 STP fuel additive and 2/3 Hoppes gun oil and calls it Whiscombe honey to lube his pellets.

Hope this helps.

Roland.

Havent tried that but do have some stock of Hopps No. 9 cleaning solvent at home. was wondering if anyone tried it and has some feedback on that.
/S/