Your choice for coated bullets?

[Huskerguy]

A buddy and I are ready to take the plunge and try some coated bullets. We have both been using plated and cast bullets and I cast my own 158 grain SWC I shoot a lot of and some others. They seem to be a nice bridge between cast and plated. I have searched prior posts for coated bullets and don't seem to find all of the answers we are looking for. We are looking for the combination of quality, price, and service. Thanks in advance

Are there differences in coatings used by companies?

Who is your favorite supplier?

If you powder coat your own, is it worth the time and effort?

Are there any downsides to coated bullets?

 

[andy52]

I powder coat my own it's really simple and not to expensive. I'm doing my own casting, if your buying cast bullets I'm not sure there would be much savings VS ones that are already coated.

There really isn't any down side to coated bullets that I have found. you can push them faster with near no leading.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Ive shot both Missouri and Badman coated bullets. I think Missouri offers a larger selection of designs and weights. I especially like the Missouri 148 Dewc and the 158 lswc.
I’ve read good reports on Bayou bullets also.
Best bet is to buy a sample pack and try them. I did that before committing to buy 500 without trying them.

 

[lrrifleman]

I am looking at coating my own cast bullets in anticipation of getting a G17 for the GSSF matches that I pull range officer duty at. My start up cost are very reasonable:
Toaster oven from Kohl's - $19
Lee sizer out - $25
Harbor Freight powder coat - $7

I am using existing dies. It is cheaper than buying jacketed bullets or an aftermarket barrel for a Glock.

Keep in mind, once you use any device for baking powder coating, you can never use it for food. Consider buying a toaster oven at a local thrift store or any inexpensive one at a local retailer!

 

[reddog81]

If you're already casting you should look into powder coating. What are using today to size and lube your bullets?

There are some variations between the different types of powder coat, but I'd assume anyone selling bullets commercially will be using something appropriate. The biggest concerns are using a powder that will adhere with complete coverage and making sure the bullets are sufficiently baked to ensure that the coating won't flake off.

If I were going to buy powder coated bullets I'd probably go with Missouri Bullet Company.

One downside is that the coating adds some thickness to the bullet. Also it does take some time to set the bullets up on the tray to be baked, however some people forgo this step and just dump the bullets out and cook them as they lie.

One nice thing about coated bullets is the reduced lead exposure. Once coated you can handle the bullets while reloading or at the range loading magazines and clips with out touching bare lead.

 

[old&slow]

I've used SnS and Missouri coated bullets in .357,, 9mm, and 45acp.
I've been happy with both companies.

 

[Confederate Tyrant]

I just recently began casting, so I went ahead and started powder coating as well. I do feel it's worth the time and effort, but I'm not shooting thousands of rounds a month.

It's a lot cleaner to handle powder coated bullets instead of lubed bullets during the reloading process.

 

[1sailor]

I have shot literally thousands of SNS coated bullets in 9mm, .357, .40S&W, and 45acp. I've never had a problem with them. I used to shoot a lot of plated bullets but just don't find any real advantage to them compared to coated.

 

[Speedo2]

I've tried Missouri, Bayou and Eggleston. Of the three, I keep returning to Bayou for price and delivery. Bayou also offers some color selection, if that's important to you.

Eggleston offers much greater color selection, also sizing options. In 9mm
they catalog 0.356", 0.357", and 0.358" bullets, also offer 100-count sample bags for trials. I believe that Bayou also offers some sizing selection, but I think that requires special ordering. I'm not sure if Missouri offers that. I did experience some packaging problems with Eggleston.


I like Bayou, especially their swamp-gator green 120 gr.TCG's in 9mm; they shoot very well in my Apex'd M&P Pro. However, not so much their 135 (?) gr. BNWC's in 38 spl. in my Model 14. For some reason, I haven't gotten very good accuracy from them; plated HBWC's (from Berry's) seem to do better. I don't have any particular issues with Missouri, but I keep returning to Bayou. Anyways, that's been my coated bullet experience. -S2

 

[brjr51]

A vote here for SNS casting, excellent quality and fast ship. My orders usually ship the same day and being as they’re somewhat local I have it in one or two days.
Even though I have to pay sales tax, I like supporting a local company that helps fight for us gun owners in this anti-gun state.

 

[just plain joe]

I have been using BadMan Bullets in 9 mm & .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Good QA/QC on their part. Excellent results on mine.

They are GTG.

JPJ

 

[Milton]

Best I have tried hands down are Bayou! Great, fast service and great bullets.

 

[fredj338]

I make my own but if I buy it is Bayou or Summers.

 

[grayrat]

Coated Bullets

I've have had good luck with Acme bullets out of Wisconsin.

 

[Huskerguy]

If you're already casting you should look into powder coating. What are using today to size and lube your bullets?

There are some variations between the different types of powder coat, but I'd assume anyone selling bullets commercially will be using something appropriate. The biggest concerns are using a powder that will adhere with complete coverage and making sure the bullets are sufficiently baked to ensure that the coating won't flake off.

If I were going to buy powder coated bullets I'd probably go with Missouri Bullet Company.

One downside is that the coating adds some thickness to the bullet. Also it does take some time to set the bullets up on the tray to be baked, however some people forgo this step and just dump the bullets out and cook them as they lie.

One nice thing about coated bullets is the reduced lead exposure. Once coated you can handle the bullets while reloading or at the range loading magazines and clips with out touching bare lead.

I have both Lyman traditional sizers and the Lee tumble molds using the 45/45/10 juice. In the 158 grain LSWC I have had good success with the Lee sizer and have pretty much gone to this for my 38/357.

 

[reddog81]

If the 45/45/10 mix is working for you and you also have the Lyman lubesizers then powder coating is kind of redundant. However the cost isn't too bad and I found powder coating to be far superior to using an Alox mix. I could never make it through a trip to the range without having to come home and scrub at least one barrel. Now I can shoot light .30-06 loads and not even have to worry about leading.

Half the cost of starting up powder coating is getting the appropriate sizing dies.

 

[fredj338]

I have both Lyman traditional sizers and the Lee tumble molds using the 45/45/10 juice. In the 158 grain LSWC I have had good success with the Lee sizer and have pretty much gone to this for my 38/357.

Once you switch to coatings, you wont want to go back to smoke mess of alox. I was slow to it but IMO, just makes a better lead bullet.

 

[Andy Lowry]

I use Bear Creek or Missouri HiTek, depending on whether I need them right now or if I can just order them and wait. A local shop has the Bear Creek, so I can just pop over and get some if I don't want to wait. They both work about the same, although the Bear Creek coating will rub off on your fingers while reloading and the HiTek doesn't.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Hi-Tek coating on Missouri Bullets is hard to beat. It's tough as nails and I have never gotten any leading no matter how hard I push them. Give them a try.

 

[Eddietruett]

I would say SNS and Missouri are just about equal and if either stocked all the weights I like, I'd probably stick with just one company. I've had great luck with Summers as well. Just as accurate and much cheaper but limited on weights and design.