I use Bayou bullets too and push them to the max of cast bullet data and have no leading but do get that chemical smell. I roll crimp my 44 mag hard in the crimp groove and pulled a bullet or two and it doesn't cut into the coating.

My semi auto taper crimps are light and show no significant signs of breaking through the coating. I also went to separate seating and crimp dies to make it easier on me and easier on the coated bullets.

I know they're many plated bullet fans and they have the same issue as hi-tek coated. I get the impression some don't realize the coating is easy to cut into and can lead. I have no data to prove it but I believe hi-tek coating is slightly more forgiving than plated and less likely to cut the coating or leave any residue.