I have three Com-Bloc m44's that measure 0.314" in the groves at the muzzle. I believe this is due to improper cleaning.

I have at the most, a very basic Bernzo-Matic I could use to melt some lead. I have been thinking to use some regular solder to melt, cast in a copper tube close to bore-size, then pound into the bore while heavily lubed.

I need to know where I can easily get soft lead without actually having to special order a few ounces. Will sinkers work, the solder?

Thanks.

Muzzle loader bullets. .22 LR bullets. Or you might see if your hardware store has some sheet lead.

Or just melt or otherwise use the cores out of some of your jacketed bullets.

Roger, wouldn't improper cleaning wear the lands rather than the grooves?
Regards, Curley

You might consider making a cast of the bore with some other material. What about pushing a patch covered jag into the breach and running almost to the muzzle and pouring in parafin or candle wax. The slug should adhere to, and be stopped by, the patch and could be pushed out with the cleaning rod. If it doesn't work, all you've got is a waxy mess in the barrel that can be removed without damage. If it works, you would have a reasonable slug. 'Sides the price is right.

Roger, I just went through the same thing on an 8mm Mauser. I used a fishing weight. I went to the sproting goods store and bought a couple of topedo sinkers just slightly over bore, lubed the bore and the sinkers and pounded one in with a wooden dowel I had laying around.

Seemed to work ok, this is the first time I have done a bore so I'm not sure if there is anything softer out there.

Roger, You need to measure the bore in two places: At the breach and at the muzzle. To do so, you'll need a few lead bullets that are slightly larger than .314", fishing weights (torpedo or egg- shaped) or muzzleloading roundballs. (Lead, not wheelweights or some other hard alloy.) Clean your bore of all fouling then dry and lubricate it with your favorite grease. Grease the lead "bullet" as well. Check to see that the rifle is empty and then drive one slug into the breach for say 6" into the bbl. Drive it out, mark it and set it aside. Do the same from the muzzle, mark it and set it aside. Finally, measure both slugs and save them for future reference and/or having a custom mold or sizer die made. If the breach end is slightly larger (.0005" - .001")than the muzzle, you may have an accurate rifle. If the reverse is true, i.e., if the measurenemts vary by more than .002", you may have to confine cast bullet loads to 1,800fps or less for best accuracy. Btw, Lee sizer dies can easily be opened up to a nonstandard size and they will reduce a larger, e.g., .323" CB to .314" with no loss in accuracy if you fill the grooves with lubricant beforehand. Hope this helps, ...Maven

Thanks for the replies. I will get some sinkers tomorrow.