Powder Coated Bullets

[Texas Star]

I've seen powder coated bullets in handloads here and on other boards.

Why? Does the powder provide less bore friction, for increased velocity? Prevent leading?

 

[kenjen]

yes and yes. plus less smoke because there is no bullet lube.

 

[Pvt.Joker]

Is it just regular powder coating, or is there something different about which powders are used? I used to do powder coating on motorcycle parts and still have most of the stuff and some powders still sitting in storage, but it might be worthwhile to get them out and give this a try. It seems like the powder would gum up the tolerances on loading the bullets and it might eventually foul the rifling, but maybe not.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

....It seems like the powder would gum up the tolerances on loading the bullets and it might eventually foul the rifling, but maybe not.

Compared to lead? Powder coating has been a hot thing for at least five or six years. Guys are shooting thousands of rounds, year after year, and it's not a problem. To the contrary. It's a huge improvement over lead, and it's stood the test of time.

No longer do you have to worry about your lead bullet being to hard or to soft. Powder coat it and hardness hardly matters. You can push lead bullets to jacketed velocities without leading. Worse case, a little p.c. residue in the barrel that easily wipes out.

Go to YouTube and watch a few videos on how it's done. There's lot's of little tip and tricks that are specific to bullets. More than one way to skin a cat, too. Find the way that looks like it would work best for you. Nobody is trying to sell you something. Just sharing techniques.

Powder coating bullets is a MAJOR advancement. If you're not shoot p.c. bullets your missing out on a good thing. I'm sure the powder you have will work fine. A lot of guys are getting their's at Harbor Freight. It's nothing special and inexpensive.

 

[scott1970]

I 'think' the Aussies have been shooting powder coat bullets successfully for a couple of decades.

I'm a huge fan of it, and I powder coat everything I load nowadays.

35 Remington...

.45-70 Govt....

.41 Magnum...

9mm...

And several more. Zero leading, jacketed velocity, super clean bores, fantastic accuracy, a massive reduction in smoke compared to traditionally lubed bullets, no more lube gunk build up in my guns and reloading dies, etc., etc.,

And this stuff stays on for the long haul. I've beat powder coated bullets flat with a hammer, and the coating stayed on. I recovered a few spent powder coat bullets from my range and was very impressed.

The one on the left was a fast .44 Mag fired from a rifle, and I believe the other two are .357 Mags.

 

[TfflHndn]

For me, the best two reasons for using the pc bullets are no lube gunk in the dies, and the ability to push the bullets faster than plain lead without leading the barrel. At a cost below plated, it's well worth it. It's also nice to be able to load some colorful bullets, and maybe interest someone in reloading who hasn't seen "painted" bullets before.

 

[Texas Star]

Different bullet colors could be used to indicate different power levels in the same caliber. That seems an added advantage.

 

[Owly]

Different bullet colors could be used to indicate different power levels in the same caliber. That seems an added advantage.

That's how I've started to use them too

 

[Pvt.Joker]

Good to know, and thanks for bringing me up to date. Looks like I need to search this on Youtube and see what else I need to get this going (and to go dig up my equipment). Thanks.

 

[scott1970]

Good to know, and thanks for bringing me up to date. Looks like I need to search this on Youtube and see what else I need to get this going (and to go dig up my equipment). Thanks.

I use the very simple shake and bake method. Easy, easy, easy.