Powder coating questions

[Kiwi cop]

I have been offered some powder coated lead projectiles at about 2/3 the cost of plated/jacketed ones, but have some questions.

1. With the thickness of the powder coat should I reduce powder charges (using Hodgson Titegroup) over that of conventional lead loads?

2. If not, are velocities effected over conventional lead?

I have been loading 3.9 gun TG under a 124 gun LRN 9mm and 5.1 gn under 200 gun .45 LSW, both slightly under max load.

 

[serger]

If the bullets are sized for your guns you should have no trouble.

I routinely shoot my cast PC bullets out of my 30-30 at speeds around
2200 fps. That load is 30 grains of IMR 3031 pushing a 160 gr bullet.

My standard load for the LEE 175gr TC bullet is 5.5gr of Power
Pistol for the 40 S&W's. That one chronographs at 880 fps.

The trick is being sure the bullet matches your barrel.

I forgot to add PC bullets tend to run a little faster than standard
lead by just under 5% and like everything else since you're changing
part of the formula back off on the powder and work up.

 

[stansdds]

^^^^^^^^
What he said.

 

[AJ]

Good questions! I just cast, powder coat, size and shoot them. They seem to work well and the guns stay cleaner, or seem to do so.

 

[TjB101]

A lot depends on the bullet profile. For instance a Lee 1252R bullet profile I cast requires a very short OAL in order to function in a majority of my Sig’s. A CZ75 I sold wanted them even shorter. So for those, with my 1.075 to 1.080 length I’m charging with 3.5 to 3.6gr of Bullseye. Your OAL will also dictate your planned charge.

 

[gwpercle]

1.) No , it is not necessary ... the powder coat is soft .

2.) No , velocities should be the same , powder coating is realy just a form of lubricant ... depending on many factors you may see a feww extra fps but nothing to write home about . The powder coat is slick and if it doesn't "run out" will not slow a lead bullet down .

Now the coating does add some extra thickness to the bullet ...your seating depth will usually require adjustment unless your pistol has a generous throat . My old WWII era Walther P-38 has a generous throat and will chamber them easily ...other , newer pistols have less throat and need seating depths adjusted .
Gary

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

IF you wait long enough, you will get every possible answer! I suggest you load a few (20) and test them, to compare their POI.

Internet opinions are like belly buttons, while some are OK and some are cute. They really don't help you out in the long run!

Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;
In reloading..........

taking baby steps at first is a good thing.

When all works out, then you can run with it.

I still have two original eyes and hands using this program.

 

[AJ]

1.)
Now the coating does add some extra thickness to the bullet ...your seating depth will usually require adjustment unless your pistol has a generous throat . My old WWII era Walther P-38 has a generous throat and will chamber them easily ...other , newer pistols have less throat and need seating depths adjusted .
Gary

Like I posted in Post #4. I cast, powder coat then size all of the bullets that I make. That way the bullets are all the same size no matter if powder coated or not.

 

[max503]

Good questions! I just cast, powder coat, size and shoot them. They seem to work well and the guns stay cleaner, or seem to do so.

So, you size AFTER powder coating? I'm seriously thinking of giving it a try with some HF red if they have any in stock at my local store. I'm wanting to try it on some Lee 105 grain swc's to shoot out of my Rossi lever gun.
I've been casting for decades and it's time I tried this powder coating thing.

 

[AJ]

So, you size AFTER powder coating? I'm seriously thinking of giving it a try with some HF red if they have any in stock at my local store. I'm wanting to try it on some Lee 105 grain swc's to shoot out of my Rossi lever gun.
I've been casting for decades and it's time I tried this powder coating thing.

Yes, I cast my bullets, then powder coat (with red powder coating from Harbor Freight - that they no longer carry) and then size them. I do this for all the bullets that I make .32, .38, 9MM, and .45.

 

[Johnrh]

Since you seem to not know if these were sized after PCing I'd measure the diameter to see if they meet specs. If not then you need to size them. Load as usual when in spec. Even after seating them they will probably not be longer that you could even adjust your seating die to compensate. If much longer than adjust die.

 

[max503]

Yes, I cast my bullets, then powder coat (with red powder coating from Harbor Freight - that they no longer carry) and then size them. I do this for all the bullets that I make .32, .38, 9MM, and .45.

Do you have a recommendation for a different powder to replace the HF Red? (Dang. I thought this was gonna be easy. I just printed a 10% Off Coupon.)

 

[AJ]

Do you have a recommendation for a different powder to replace the HF Red? (Dang. I thought this was gonna be easy. I just printed a 10% Off Coupon.)

I do not have a recommendation right now. I will finish up the powder coat that I am using now then switch to something else. Probably whatever my friends are using at the time. Do a search here and see what others have recommended.

 

[Johnrh]

Do you have a recommendation for a different powder to replace the HF Red? (Dang. I thought this was gonna be easy. I just printed a 10% Off Coupon.)

Look here: VS - Hi quality Powder for DT or Spraying bullets - Page 72

I've used the wine red and JD green with great success for my first try. Wine red is more like a dark red. Great guy to buy from.

 

[oddshooter]

I 2nd the vote for the castboolit link above.
"Smoke" sells great powder coating.

prescut

 

[AJ]

Do you have a recommendation for a different powder to replace the HF Red? (Dang. I thought this was gonna be easy. I just printed a 10% Off Coupon.)

I talked to my friend that got me into powder coating. Now that he can no longer it from Harbor Freight, he uses Eastwood Powder Coat Paint Jet Black for Amazon. Amazon.com

 

[teletech]

I'm afraid the stink of burned plastic puts me off the powdercoated projectiles.
It *might* be better for me than vaporized lead.
I wonder what's in the powder, is this going to abrade a bore over time. I know the overall mixture is soft but whatever allows it to be statically charged might be abrasive? I guess really looking at the ingredients would be prudent.

 

[GBertolet]

I powder coat, using Smoke's powder. I size after powder coating. If you have a good quality powder, and it is properly applied and baked, it will not come off during sizing. When sized, you will have a smooth burnished finish. Most powder coats add about 1.5 thousandths to the diameter. I have no issues sizing 45 cal .453 bullets, in addition to the powder coat, down to .452 diameter. They shoot fine with no leading, even using very soft alloys. Best thing is, there is no smoke, other than from the gunpowder.

 

[AlHunt]

So, you size AFTER powder coating? I'm seriously thinking of giving it a try with some HF red if they have any in stock at my local store. I'm wanting to try it on some Lee 105 grain swc's to shoot out of my Rossi lever gun.
I've been casting for decades and it's time I tried this powder coating thing.

I strongly recommend you head over to the Cast Boolits forum and get your powder from user Smoke4320 and then follow the shake and bake method perfected there. Its almost fool proof. I've read of problems with the HF powder.