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Cleaning agents that emulsify alloys of lead?
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Naphtali
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posted
Several years ago I think I read of a barrel cleaning agent for cast bullets that functions by emulsifying tin, antimony, and arsenic in casting alloys. The claim was that when casting alloy was broken down or emulsified, or dissolved, leading could be wiped from the bore without the need for scouring with brushes.

This was not important for me until recently when I bought a built-to-order mold for my .72-caliber muzzleloaders. I have been casting with 30:1 alloy for two reasons:

1. Culls have been reduced to less than five percent;

2. Since scouring bores is a non-starter, I hope I can relocate the emulsifying cleaning agent - and that it works as I remember its blurb.


It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it. Sam Levinson
 
Posts: 1528 | Location: Seeley Lake | Registered: 21 November 2007Reply With Quote
Doubless
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It is very well known that mercury will almagamate lead and its alloy "sisters", if you will. The problem is that mercury is almost impossible to obtain, and is very dangerous to work with.
 
Posts: 4748 | Location: TX | Registered: 01 April 2005Reply With Quote
wrongtarget
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Wipeout will break the alloys down. takes a couple days soak tho. I had a badly fouled inline muzzleloader barrel, tried a lot of different clenaers, Wipeout is the only one that truly worked without a lot of elbow grease, it worked just like they said it would.


http://www.paulcompany.com/wipeout.htm

quote:
SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL SHOOTERS SHOOTING LEAD BULLETS.

We specifically state that Wipe-out does not dissolve lead. Most chemicals that dissolve lead produce a galvanic reaction. This reaction in effect acts like a battery. In most cases it will etch steel ( both stainless and carbon steel). It is for this reason that we don't use chemicals that specifically work on lead.

We use chemicals that will dissolve the other metals ( tin , antimony, zinc, etc.) that are incorporated in most bullet alloys. So we work to destroy the integrity of the bullet alloy, and it begins to come apart in small black flakes. This process takes about 24 to 36 hours.

So while Wipe-Out™ does not dissolve lead , it will degrade the alloy so that it can be pushed out with a tight patch.
 
Posts: 1615 | Location: Washington State | Registered: 27 May 2004Reply With Quote
Naphtali
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AHA!

The blurb you have included describes exactly what I thought I remembered. I think you've solved my problem.

Many thanks.
quote:
Originally posted by wrongtarget:
Wipeout will break the alloys down. takes a couple days soak tho. I had a badly fouled inline muzzleloader barrel, tried a lot of different clenaers, Wipeout is the only one that truly worked without a lot of elbow grease, it worked just like they said it would.


http://www.paulcompany.com/wipeout.htm

quote:
SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL SHOOTERS SHOOTING LEAD BULLETS.

We specifically state that Wipe-out does not dissolve lead. Most chemicals that dissolve lead produce a galvanic reaction. This reaction in effect acts like a battery. In most cases it will etch steel ( both stainless and carbon steel). It is for this reason that we don't use chemicals that specifically work on lead.

We use chemicals that will dissolve the other metals ( tin , antimony, zinc, etc.) that are incorporated in most bullet alloys. So we work to destroy the integrity of the bullet alloy, and it begins to come apart in small black flakes. This process takes about 24 to 36 hours.

So while Wipe-Out™ does not dissolve lead , it will degrade the alloy so that it can be pushed out with a tight patch.


It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it. Sam Levinson
 
Posts: 1528 | Location: Seeley Lake | Registered: 21 November 2007Reply With Quote
mete
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I'd sure like to know the chemicals they use . I wonder if they are Chelates.
 
Posts: 7636 | Registered: 10 October 2002Reply With Quote
Zephyr
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Try a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% hydrogen peroxide keep in the barrel no more than 10 mins wipe clean, this was given to me by the man who cast all of my 1911 pistol bullets. I put a cork in the chamber end and fill the barrel with the mixture it turns the lead in to lead oxide and wipes clean with a dry patch I'll then neutralize the mixture with a patch or two of denatured alcohol and oil the barrel
hope this helps
 
Posts: 1630 | Location: Vermont | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
jkingrph
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I do not know what you mean by emulsify. An emulsion by definition is either a suspension of an oil in water or water in an oil.


JJK
 
Posts: 299 | Location: E. Texas, NE Louisiana | Registered: 10 September 2006Reply With Quote
pagosawingnut
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One of the best lead removers I have ever found is JB's bore polish. Put in liberally on a patched jag and polish the bore. Lead seems to come out in chunks. I bought a new to me .458 win and all they had tried was lead bullets. The bore looked horrible. 3 patches with JB's and about 25 strokes apiece and the bore looked factory new again. Works better than anything I had ever tried.
 
Posts: 4214 | Location: Southern Colorado | Registered: 09 October 2011Reply With Quote
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