Just finished reading John Taffin's article on SSK's .44 and .45 "Bore Sweepers" in the September '07 "Guns Magazine".

The intended usage of the Bore Sweepers is lead removal.
The article indicateds firing the Bore Sweepers worked quite well for Taffin. He describes the special bullets as not being composed of a lead alloy, but of the lighter and harder zinc. They look like conventional bullets with lots of lube-less grease grooves.

I was not able to find any reference to this product on the SSK web site so have emailed SSK asking for availability and price for both caliber Bore Sweepers.

I"ve always had good luck with the Lewis Lead Remover, but loading a few extra cartridges to fire at the range might be more convenient. I'll report the SSK response to my email when received.

Dan

Just received the following email reponse from SSK:

"It isn't there as the price of metal skyrocketed---we are taking orders now to do a production run---
$1.25 each--minimum order---20 bullets. CC OK---phone--740-264-0176. JD"

This 90 minute response turnaround is typical of the service I've previously received from SSK.

While on the expensive side, I'll order the minumum order to see what results I get. The Lewis Lead Remover works great for my handguns, but am interested in the Bore Sweepers for the .44 rifles. Besides, it's only money and my kids will just spend it on something less worthwhile (probably).

Dan

I read that article also. I liked the idea of blasting away the leading instead of having to drag it out with a Lewis lead remover. My arthritis in my hands makes me look for easier ways of doing things and this looks a lot easier. I wonder what kind of groups they will shoot?

Tell you what, on behalf of Iowa farm boys everywhere (and most of them aren't in Iowa or on the farm anymore), I"ll order 30 Bore Sweepers and if SSK does a production run and I get my order, I'll let you know and if you wish, I'll send you 15 on me to try and report on.

Dan

Iowaloha DOk,
I've never heard of the "bore sweepers". Shooting jacketed bullets can get rid of some barrel lead in my observation. The Lewis works pretty well too.
What are you having trouble with lead-wise?

Have you noticed "wind chill factor" has not been in the weather forcast as of late? It should be IMO. A one mile per hour gust feels pretty cool to me.

Cheezywan

Iowaloha DOk,
I've never heard of the "bore sweepers". Shooting jacketed bullets can get rid of some barrel lead in my observation. The Lewis works pretty well too.
What are you having trouble with lead-wise?

Have you noticed "wind chill factor" has not been in the weather forcast as of late? It should be IMO. A one mile per hour gust feels pretty cool to me.

Cheezywan

I've used the Lewis for quite a while and it works great, but it would be nice when I hit the cleaning bench to have the barrel just need powder residue removed and that's it. Unfortunately, the Bore Sweepers are on the high side of what I'd planned on spending for that luxury.

I always fire lap all firearms and also use gas checked lead bullets, so leading is typically not a problem. But my indoor shooting in Florida uses non-gas checked, softer lead and does give me some leading, even with the firelapped barrels.

I came in yesterday from planting some new shrubs and was soaking wet from the humidity. Had to take my glasses off outside cause I couldn't see from all the drip, drip, drip on 'em. Yup, been hot, muggy with almost no wind.....but the golf ball flys/rolls further so that's all O. K. !!

Dan

Veral Smith makes various claims about shooting out leading with cast bullets and his lube. My .02 is that it is one of those things much better avoided than gotten rid of.

From Mr. Smith's web site:
One of the most attractive properties of LBT lubricants which no other can offer is: If you lead your bore from a crazy load or getting the gun too hot, etc. Let it cool down or go back to a load that doesn’t lead and shoot 2 or 3 if gas checked, 5 or so if plain base, and the lead is gone. If you’re leaded up from some other lubricant, LBT with gas checked bullets will clean it out far quicker than shooting jacketed, but not with plainbase. Lead actually solders to the bore with other lubes. With LBT lubes, IF you can make it lead, it’s so loose that lead will wipe it clean!. We recommend never cleaning the bore when LBT lubes are used. Look down the bore and if there is lead, shoot it out, if not, DON’T CLEAN IT!

Unfortunately, the Bore Sweepers are on the high side of what I'd planned on spending for that luxury.

I always fire lap all firearms and also use gas checked lead bullets, so leading is typically not a problem. But my indoor shooting in Florida uses non-gas checked, softer lead and does give me some leading, even with the firelapped barrels.

Dan

Copy that DOK. $1.25 a pop is a bit spendy. Not bad for one round through a rifle but at 6X for a revolver I would do it another way. Perhaps six elcheapo jacketed handloads and some elbow grease to split the difference in cost vs. time?

I don't play golf DOK. I do have a sling shot that will launch a golf ball outasight though! I mostly use it from the comfort of a shade tree. Yes, I yell "fore" after the shot :D . Saftey first!

Cheezywan