Cleaning lead from a barrel

[jgh4445]

I inherited a circa 1953 K 22 and took it to the range to try it out. Shoots 3" to the left at 25 yds with the rear blade centered. I tried to adjust the screw to the right but it wouldn't budge. Seemed the screw was as tight as it would go with the blade in the center. It would move left, but not right. Long story short, I ended up breaking the windage adjustment screw and will have to order another. Now for my problem. As long as it is down waiting for the part, I though I'd give it a thourough cleaning. Doesn't look like its had one in years. Used Hoppes and some Butches and got the bore really clean and shiney. For grins I thought I'd run a "lead free" cloth patch down the tube. WOW..came out black. Repeated pass thrus with the lead free cloth keeps coming out black. I again cleaned with Butches and Hoppes til the patch came out white. Then tried the lead free again...still comes out black. Can I damage the barrel with the lead free cloth patch? Is the black stuff lead? Should I try to keep running the lead free patch until it comes out clean? Will it ever? Anyone had experience with this?

 

[baylorattorney]

I would just clean it to where I coul see the grooves nice and crisp and any pitting that may be there. I'd leave the rest, residue and remainder there for barrel tho. Pics?


Waste not want not.

 

[jgh4445]

Thanks Baylor..I did just that. No pitting to be seen, bore is bright and shiny. I would have thought the rifling would have been a bit deeper though. Appears to be shallow but certainly uniform. Now I've got to replace the windage screw Monday and see what kind of ammo it likes. Sorry, no pics at present.

 

[rcmodel]

The black on the lead-free cloth is most likely steel from the bore.

You can rub till heck freezes over and it will still come out black.
It is mildly abrasive.

rc