RE: help needed in getting the lead out
Try a Stainless Steel brush. I don't know what threads will fit on a .17 cal rod, but if your using an adapter, it should work. Start by firing a couple jacketed or plated type bullets, and then soak the crap out of it with butch's bore shine. Scrub it with the brush, then hit it with the solvent again. If for whatever reason you find any copper fouling that is compounding the problem, try Barnes CR-10. This stuff works great. That has always worked for me, hope it helps you.