Ever Leave A BP Revolver Loaded For A Long Time?

[rodwha]

No.

Something doesn’t add up...

 

[arcticap]

Something doesn’t add up...

I think that on the microscopic level, the lead surface is getting scraped and chewed up by friction when the ball is rammed.
The lead isn't being cut smooth by a sharp object like a razor blade.
The jagged scrapes on the surface of the ball maybe act like canals, allowing the melted lube to get drawn past the balls with the help of heat and gravity.

Perhaps not all of the chambers are perfectly smooth and concentric from top to bottom.

Florida heat may also expand the lead balls in ways that affect how tight they fit in the chambers.
For instance:
Lead is among the most expansive solid materials, with a coefficient equal to 3.0.
A 5 meter bar of lead will lengthen by 1.5 mm if heated 10 C, which is 50 degrees F. --->>> https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/physics/physics/thermal-expansion

Because I believe that seepage can happen, I'm speculating about the reasons that could allow it to happen.
Since the rammed balls aren't as smooth as the chamber walls, just like the temperature can affect the characteristic of the lube, the lead balls may expand at a different rate and direction then the steel chambers.
I guess that it would be somewhat like using a penetrating fluid on threads.
If there's any gap between the metal surfaces, then the fluid will try to seep it's way in.

Rodwha, I tried to add up some of the possible contributing factors.
How do you like my addition?

 

[ThomasT]

I guess you could still lube the front of the balls but store the gun with the Barrel pointed down. Like holstered and hanging on a bed post cowboy style.

I have 4 one pound blocks of pure beeswax in a cabinet in my garage and they have never melted or ran from the heat. They may be slightly stuck together but that’s about it.

 

[arcticap]

Even if the Bore Butter didn't melt its way into the chambers, if air can get in then perhaps moisture can enter as water vapor and affect the powder and primer.

 

[gtrgy888]

I think that on the microscopic level, the lead surface is getting scraped and chewed up by friction when the ball is rammed.
The lead isn't being cut smooth by a sharp object like a razor blade.
The jagged scrapes on the surface of the ball maybe act like canals, allowing the melted lube to get drawn past the balls with the help of heat and gravity.

Perhaps not all of the chambers are perfectly smooth and concentric from top to bottom.

Florida heat may also expand the lead balls in ways that affect how tight they fit in the chambers.
For instance:
Lead is among the most expansive solid materials, with a coefficient equal to 3.0.
A 5 meter bar of lead will lengthen by 1.5 mm if heated 10 C, which is 50 degrees F. --->>> https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/physics/physics/thermal-expansion

Because I believe that seepage can happen, I'm speculating about the reasons that could allow it to happen.
Since the rammed balls aren't as smooth as the chamber walls, just like the temperature can affect the characteristic of the lube, the lead balls may expand at a different rate and direction then the steel chambers.
I guess that it would be somewhat like using a penetrating fluid on threads.
If there's any gap between the metal surfaces, then the fluid will try to seep it's way in.

Rodwha, I tried to add up some of the possible contributing factors.
How do you like my addition?

That’s one good reason out of many to shoot at least monthly. I’m lucky to live in a severely dry climate. I had nosebleeds for 6 months until I adapted. I’ll need to test more in hot temperatures.

 

[arcticap]

That’s one good reason out of many to shoot at least monthly. I’m lucky to live in a severely dry climate. I had nosebleeds for 6 months until I adapted. I’ll need to test more in hot temperatures.

A local aerospace manufacturer would do their final inspection on critical parts in what's called a cold room which was air conditioned.
That helps to insure that the parts are at a specific temperature when they measure the final specifications.
This involved aircraft engine bearings, and if a bearing fails then there's a record of the final tolerances when the part passed inspection.
But there's no mention of model or cylinder size.

If a ball is loaded when it's hot and then the temperature cools off, I wonder how much that lead contraction can cause a gap.
It may not sound like it would make much of a difference in how well the chamber is sealed, but maybe the temperature variation does somehow.
RMC sells a device to cover and seal uncapped nipples, and also the front of the cylinder, but it doesn't mention a model or caliber.

1. https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/revolver-cylinder-safety-seal/

2. https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/rmc-revolver-cylinder-cap-seal/

 

[gtrgy888]

A local aerospace manufacturer would do their final inspection on critical parts in what's called a cold room which was air conditioned.
That helps to insure that the parts are at a specific temperature when they measure the final specifications.
This involved aircraft engine bearings, and if a bearing fails then there's a record of the final tolerances when the part passed inspection.
But there's no mention of model or cylinder size.

If a ball is loaded when it's hot and then the temperature cools off, I wonder how much that lead contraction can cause a gap.
It may not sound like it would make much of a difference in how well the chamber is sealed, but maybe the temperature variation does somehow.
RMC sells a device to cover and seal uncapped nipples, and also the front of the cylinder, but it doesn't mention a model or caliber.

1. https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/revolver-cylinder-safety-seal/

2. https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/rmc-revolver-cylinder-cap-seal/

I imagine it does make a difference. Maybe it’s a good idea to refrigerate the components before assembly. If my wife finds lead balls in a baggy in the freezer, I’ll need to tattle on you for giving me the idea.