I just ordered some Federal Syntech Polymer-coated bullets, .45 caliber 230 grain RN, from Midway using my birthday discount. Has anyone reloaded any of these or used the Federal ammo loaded with these? I plan to use the same loads as I use for 230 grain FMJ. They are bright red and are supposed to have significantly lower friction in the barrel and no lead or copper fouling.

I'll post a range report in 1-2 weeks.

Basically a polymer coating like powder coating. It should be loaded like a lead bullet, not jacketed. It is after all a soft lead bullet with a coating. I make my own, but the bullets are sim. Pretty much the same thing can be had cheaper from SNS, badman & others.

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I saw some 9mm Federal 115gr "syn" bullet at 1130fps in a sporting good store the other day.
I wondered if they are making the bullet or getting them from someone else ?

Nice to have around if you don't load and want to try a coated bullet.

Good shooting.

I have them on hand in 45,9 and 380. I have been shooting the factor ammunition since the SHOT show

These are NOT like powder coated bullets at all. This is a THICK coating

Think more of the old Nyclad but without the nylon fibers in the coating and red instead of blue.

Your existing load will work just fine.

However as with all changes of components, back off and work the load up slowly

Somewhere I have pictures, but I am at the BLADE show right now and do not have access to my desktop computer.

Define thick??? From sectioned pics I have seen, looks a like a double coated powder coating. Not like the old Nyclad. Still IMO to be loaded as a lead bullet.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

How are they any different that Hi Tek Polymer Coated bullets that every bullet casting place sells.??(other than more expensive)

Been used in Australia for years.

Not to be confused with POWDER COATING

The High Tek Polymer bullets are even hard cast bullets and not soft.

I have not dissected the Federal bullets, but have done so with Missouri and Bayou bullets. Smashed them and tried to burn through them with a propane torch.

Missouri Bullet Company

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A guy brought some Federals in the other day to my indoor range, we call 'em lipstick bullets, He said he'll go back to shooting lead bullets out of his .45 1911 (no copper jackets allowed at that range). He wasn't impressed and felt they were expensive. I had the slot next to him and I wasn't impressed either, he's usually a much better shooter. It might just be his gun didn't like 'em !

I can recall buying a bunch of Nyclad bullets after S&W quit selling the loaded ammo and sold the rights & data package to Federal. I loaded them using lead bullet data. Ancient memory suggests I needed to really bell the case mouths to make sure they didn't shave while seating.

Don't recall any performance issues, but I wasn't shooting bullseye.

One of the guys over on GLocktalk bought some bullets for reloading. You can see the coating is very thin, like powder coating NOT like the Nyclad at all. Nyclad's were a Nylon jacket, this is something else & by the looks, it won't last long. The coating flakes off during a smash test, it will flake off as it goes down the bbl.
Picked up a box of .40 Federal Syntech 165s | The Leading Glock Forum and Community - GlockTalk.com

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Wow! that's not good. I had some problems with coated bullets leading and leaving burnt deposits. Smashed one and the coating split like that. Played with one and could peel off the coating with my thumb nail. That bullet supplier has since closed his doors.

I've used Hi-Tec and powder coated bullets (around 1.200) and I used lead bullet data. In 45 ACP and 9mm they worked quite well (and I PCed a few for my Nagant and my Garand) but not so much better than my cast bullets, sans coating.

I don't get leading from my home cast bullets and when I need some more I just fire up the casting pot and make some, no extra costs and no waiting. When I PCed some it was a lot of "extra" work and I've gotten lazy and haven't done any in a while, but it did expand my knowledge/experience quite a bit...

Thanks, but just ordered some Berry's .45 seconds off of Midway for $0.10 apiece including shipping.

It's high time component prices start to fall. I've almost given up reloading 9mm.

Have any revolver shooters had problems with these projectiles leaving the case whilst shooting?
I have had 3 occasions when this has happened one jammed the chamber of my 929 the others left powder everywhere

Myles

Without a crimp groove, your revo bullets always run a risk of jumping the crimp. heavier the bullet the more likely to happen.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I just did a little price shopping. Midway 230 grain round nose Federal Syntech bullets are regularly $18.99/100, currently on sale for $17.09. Bayou Bullets powder coated 230 grain round nose bullets are $11.50/100. I think the Federal bullets are not worth the extra money, especially if their coated separates from the bullet.

As for reloading any coated lead bullet, use cast lead reloading data and carefully work up to your desired velocity.

Oh, and Bayou offers their 45 ACP 230 grain bullets in both red and gold colors.

I use Bayou .38 bullets, both the 158SWC and the 160RN with my standard load data. They are accurate enough for IPSC style shooting, clean enough and no leading.

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