Is this leading?

[Rule3]

Ditch the Bore Snake and use the proper size bronze brush, patches , solvent and elbow grease. Yes, new brushes are sometime hard to push through.
Contrary to internet lore there is no magic "solvent" for lead. You remove it with a good brush and elbow grease. (lets not get into mercury OK)
It's not all this complicated.

 

[Blue68f100]

If all possible pull the brush through your less likely to damage your cleaning rod, by bending. Also use a cone protector, and pull from chamber out. So you insert the brush after the cleaning rod is through the barrel. Never reverse your direction with the brush while in the bore. The only exception is if your trying to remove a neck/head separation that's stuck in the chamber. Then you stick the brush far enough through to grab the brass when you back it out.

 

[243winxb]

Also when cleaning do I push the brush all the way out and then unscrew it and go for another pass or can I go backwards and forwards in the barrel just as long as I'm not going past the crown?

I push the wet brush all the way out the muzzle. Then pull it back. Use a Nylon coated Steel cleaning rod. Do not over do the brushing.

A cotton patch, with solvent, like #9 should be used to wet the barrel. Let it soak over night, if possible. Then brush 3 passes. Patch dry, check bore. Let solvent do most of the work by soaking.

Clean bronze brush with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, when done. About $ 2.50 for 32 oz.

 

[RealGun]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm a fairly new shooter and I was told by many people when first buying the rifle that all I needed was a bore snake. I didn't listen and bought a rod and brushes anyway but I always had trouble getting the brushes down the barrel (they would get stuck in the chamber) and it would be hard to pull them back out so I just stuck with a bore snake until now. I'm going to go get some new brushes and some good solvent now and see if that budges it. If not I'll look at getting a copper chore boy and the other suggestions to budge it. It's only a 16'' barrel so I didn't think the bullets would run out of lube so fast.

Also when cleaning do I push the brush all the way out and then unscrew it and go for another pass or can I go backwards and forwards in the barrel just as long as I'm not going past the crown?

You could still do one pass with the bore snake to avoid pushing crud back into the action and to wipe in a coat of Ballistol or other cleaner impregnated in the bore snake. Then you could skip the stiff plastic brush and go right to the bronze, only needing to clean up the rifling. Of Course, with a bronze brush you would need to avoid cleaners that act as copper solvents or would need to have those already wiped out.

 

[reddog81]

or can I go backwards and forwards in the barrel just as long as I'm not going past the crown?

Don't do that. Go all the way through. Don't reverse directions while in the barrel.

 

[mdi]

I didn't see it mentioned, but one of my barrel/leading cleaning methods is to soak the bbl with Kroil, just spray some in the bbl and let it sit overnight. This often loosens the leading and makes it easier to push out.

One warning; don't use the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide formula. It may work, but it may ruin the barrel too. I have a Dan Wesson 44H that I used to shoot lead in and after some shots with a poor lube I tried to remove the leading with vinegar/peroxide "solvent". I left the mixture in the barrel too long (about 8 hours) and yep the leading came out, but the barrel ID shows rough spots and fine pitting. Over 95% of my shooting is with cast bullets so my DW doesn't get used much anymore because I just use jacketed in it now...

 

[Arkansas Paul]

For really light leading like in your photos, this works really well.
For really heavy leading, it's not great.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1014882435?pid=398676