Anyone powder coating?

I powder coat using the Airsoft BB in a plastic container shake & bake method. Bullets come out coated really well.

I use the LEAD or PLATED data, not FMJ data when reloading because it's still basically just a lead bullet. If you push it too fast you'll get more leading.

It's cheap and easy. It will be the preferred method for new shooters start casting for those reasons alone.

I did powder coating about 8 years ago but then tried Hi-Tek coating and been doing that ever since. There are easier methods used to apply powder now than I used but the hi-tek holds up better.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bullet-coating.707641/
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bullet-coating.707641/
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bullet-coating-part-ii.713642/
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bullet-coating-part-ii.713642/

Pretty pics are usually appreciated 'round here, so ... here is a tray of some that I PC'd several years ago sitting out to cool.

I've yet to try powder coating. Do you size before or after ?

I size after.

I always wondered if sizing would take the powder off. Thanks

PC is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned.

They look great. Do you still lube after?

reloaded_in_pa said:

They look great. Do you still lube after?

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No

did a small batch this morning in fact- didn't feel like breaking out the acetone and HiTek.

reloaded_in_pa said:

They look great. Do you still lube after?

Click to expand...

I don't lube when using PC. Even sizing is super slick with PC.

I don't lube with powder coating or HiTek coating

I have a basic question about using powder coated bullets. What is the long term, thousands of rounds, impact on barrel wear compared to lubed lead bullets?
I am a bullseye shooter using vintage pistols; Colt Gold Cup, Smith 52, Smith 952, and Smith 945. If I wear out one of those barrels, there is no easy replacement available. For that reason, I have avoided coated bullets. Am I being over cautious?

reloaded_in_pa said:

I always wondered if sizing would take the powder off. Thanks

Click to expand...

If the coating is taken off at resizing, it wasn't processed correctly.

You can traditionally lube after PC in special cases. One that I followed was in very long bored like a 32" long sharps. No solution seems perfect in every case but lube fixed the issue in that special situation. I cant immagine it would hurt if you want to do it. I dont have experience in anything longer than 24"

kcofohio said:

If the coating is taken off at resizing, it wasn't processed correctly.

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This is correct. To further explain - The most common error is to not cure/bake at the correct temperature or for long enough. The process is pretty straight forward once you have the correct supplies.

You generally size after, however you can size the bullets before hand if you want. Sizing after gives the most uniformity. Sizing before allows you to make bullets with a wider diameter. If you size to .358 before hand and then PC you can get .360ish bullets if you so desire.

"If anyone has not tried it and you're setup for casting, give it a go"





On the left are shown grand, classic cartridges loaded with cast lead bullets which are the culmination of more than a hundred years of experience, some of which came from the most famous and highly regarded revolvermen to have ever lived.

On the right are Smurfs stuck in drain pipes.

So that's a no from me.

Please don't show my wife the colors available. She'll want pink bullets

Thank you all for the helpful information. It's time for me to start.

If your new to casting(don’t already have a lube/sizing machine) than powder coating and sizing with lee push through sizers are a far cheaper way to start.I hear the sizers from NOE are high quality, inexpensive and available in more sizes than the lee versions.

I have high praise for the powders that the user Smoke is selling over on the castboolits forums. Super quick shipping and the powders coat super well. I tried it last year with harbor freight powder and didn’t like how it turned out, the smokes powder was a game changer.

Oh and if your worried about the colors, buy the clear.

People can poke fun at it all they like but I’ll be here shooting powder coated water quenched range scrap Down range at over 2000fps with zero leading.

I use the eastwood ford blue. I recommend it as a first powder because of the huge success from everyone who has tried and reviewed it. Besides smurfs boolits are tacticool

Another Eastwood Ford Blue (Called Light Blue now) user here
still making my way through the original bags I purchased.
Works great. Perfect Powder to use for first time.

AJC1 said:

I use the eastwood ford blue. I recommend it as a first powder because of the huge success from everyone who has tried and reviewed it. Besides smurfs boolits are tacticool

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I’ve heard good things about the Eastwood powders. One thing I like about buying from smokes is you can buy a “sampler” that has 1/3 of a pound of 3 different colors of your choosing for the same cost as a 1 full pound.