Coated Bullets?

I load MBC coated LSWC Bullets for .44mag. I use a pretty good roll crimp and I have not noticed any issues crimping in the crimp groove.

You might find this article of interest:

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/3/7/coated-bullets-the-future-of-lead-bullets-for-handloaders/

I have loaded thousands of MBC coated 140 gr Zingers for a couple of 686's. I have shot over 3500 out of one gun without cleaning it. It has no leading in the barrel....I am sold.

Never had a problem with crimp damage.

The only issue I have experienced with coated bullets is that you have to flare the case more to prevent scraping the coating off when seating the bullets....other than that lock and load

I began reloading 4 years ago. I load 9mm, 38/357, .380, 40 and 45. To start with I was using only plated bullets. Tried some lead eventually but still preceded plated. Early this year I bought a bunch of Hi-Tek coated bullets from Summers Enterprises. Not only are they great to load and shoot, but they are also 25% less money. I have had great results and basically load them like a regular lead bullet. I will definitely be getting more coated bullets

I have used both ACME and MBC coated bullets in 9mm, .45 and .38/.357.
(ACME has really cool wood boxes they send the bullets in)
As mentioned above just make sure you have enough flair.
MBC has .38/.357 bullets in two different hardness levels. BHN12 and BHN18, don't know if they do the same for .45 LC bullets.
The .38 bullets are BHN12 the .357 Bullets are mostly BHN18.
I usually don't load .38 cases I just load .357 cases to .38 power level.
For any thing less than stout .357 loads the BHN12 (softer) ones seemed to shoot better for me,but of course all guns are different.
Pretty much the same in .45 ACP, the BHN12 ones were better at less than full power and in .45 Full power it was to close to call between the 2.

I think you would be happy with either the MBC or ACME bullets.
I also used some Bayou coated bullets and was happy with them.
MBC offers THR members a 5% discount with a code. (They used to, haven't ordered in a while, PM me if you need the code)
I heard there is a code on The Brian Enos forum for ACME but don't know it off hand)

I think the coating is worth the few extra $, however I have heard that in some tests the coated bullets were not quite as accurate as lubed lead, but I don't know If I could shoot the difference.
I think the Bullseye shooters who can prefer lubed lead over coated, but I think for most uses you wouldn't notice a difference.

Please let us know how they work out for you.

I'll give another nod to MBC. I've had zero issues getting a good roll on their coated .38/.357, both Brinell ratings too.

-Robb

If your not casting your own the coated is you best bet at success. It gives you some fudge room on size and pressure curve.

I dabbled in coating my cast bullets for purposes of increasing velocity and such. And I was sadly mistaken when I had to scrub that crap out of the bore. It’s a lot worse than any lead. Don’t coat some 200 grain .310 bullets and think you can send them at 2500fps! Should have sold that gun.

I've used Missouri Bullet's Hi Tek coated bullets as well as cast and coated my own. I'm pleased with the results but I've only tried handgun bullets and do not drive them very hard. My favorite colors are MG maroon and Ford blue.

I have a 22 caliber bullet mould to try in my 22 Hornet at some time. Maybe after hearing SamT1's experience, I won't bother coating them. Just size and lube them the conventional way.

I've used the Acme Hi-Tek coated in 9mm with good results. I use the same loading techniques as with plated bullets. You must have sufficient case mouth expansion or you will scrape the coating off. You also need to be careful with the crimp compared to jacketed bullets. If they have a crimp groove a light roll crimp will work, but without the groove it's a careful taper-crimp application. The thickness and consistency of the coating matters - Acme's products have a very thick and uniform coating. The thing I like least is the smell. I've heard people describe it as a 'burnt-wire' smell, and agree with that description.

Acme's are the cheapest quality bullet I can point to. When bought in quantity with a coupon code they are cheaper than most if not all alternatives for a given caliber. All in all, I prefer a good plated bullet like xtreme or the quality FMJs that RMR and Everglades sell for just a little more than Acme. But if you want the least expensive quality bullet, in my experience Acme is it and they are accurate if a little obnoxious indoors because of the smell.

Most of my bullets anymore are coated, including most of my rifle bullets. The coating works well for its varied purposes. Pictured below are two .45 200gr SWC, one fired (right) and one not.

I started using coated bullets for 45 Colt from MBC about a year ago. I crimp in the crimp groove and have no issues. Like walkalong said make sure your flair is enough so you do not scrape off the coating. I had to adjust just my die a touch. For the price and consistency I'll be buying some more.

This thread reminds me that I need to order some more.

-Jeff

I've used Acme, Bayou and IbejiHeads coated bullets with no issues in 9mm, 40sw, 45acp and 10mm. The only "crimp I use is just enough to remove the case mouth flare.

I've used Harbor Freight powder coating with good results. I bake my bullets in a $20 toaster over from Wal Mart. So far, I've used coating on .38 Special, .357 Mag, .45 ACP, ,45 Colt, .22 Hornet, .30-30, .30-40 Krag, .308 Win, and .30-06.

For the rifle cartridges, I apply gas checks -- regular store-boughten ones for the .30 calibers and home-made checks for the .22 Hornet.

Well I tried some coated bullets, I can't recall the company, but they were green coated in 9mm (124 grain) as well as .45acp, (200grain) I shot some in my Beretta 92FS and my Keltec PF9, as well as in my Colt Gold Cup, and my Sig Sauer .45 Ultra Compact. I did flair the casings a bit more than usual, however, I had a huge build up of green crap on the lands and grooves on all 4 pistols, and noted a marked lack of accuracy after perhaps a hundred rounds. BTW I usually cast my own and never have any lead build up using the same identical loadings. Myself I can't see why I would even mess with the coated bullets, as there is no advantage over the lead lubed bullets, in velocity, and especially in accuracy. BTW I use a hard lube such as Blue Magic in lubing my bullets. I generally will shoot at least 200 to 250 rounds at a range session, I firmly believe that the coated bullets are just a passing fancy. Sorry if I busted anyone's bubble, it is just my experience, as I'll try just about anything once and twice if I get away from it.

I've been using SNS Casting almost exclusively. Loading .357mag, .44mag, .45acp, and .45-70gvt. All have performed as well as I can, and no leading that I have seen. They're really easy to work with, though I confess that my experience with copper jacketed uncoated lead is fairly limited.

loose noose said:

Well I tried some coated bullets, I can't recall the company, but they were green coated in 9mm (124 grain) as well as .45acp, (200grain) I shot some in my Beretta 92FS and my Keltec PF9, as well as in my Colt Gold Cup, and my Sig Sauer .45 Ultra Compact. I did flair the casings a bit more than usual, however, I had a huge build up of green crap on the lands and grooves on all 4 pistols, and noted a marked lack of accuracy after perhaps a hundred rounds. BTW I usually cast my own and never have any lead build up using the same identical loadings. Myself I can't see why I would even mess with the coated bullets, as there is no advantage over the lead lubed bullets, in velocity, and especially in accuracy. BTW I use a hard lube such as Blue Magic in lubing my bullets. I generally will shoot at least 200 to 250 rounds at a range session, I firmly believe that the coated bullets are just a passing fancy. Sorry if I busted anyone's bubble, it is just my experience, as I'll try just about anything once and twice if I get away from it.

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You aren't gaining anything in velocity or accuracy nor is that what the coating is intended to address. If you are getting any build up the coating likely either wasn't applied correctly or material is being shaved somewhere. As you can see from my picture above, material is lost during firing but it should be blown from the barrel.

I'm not here to change your mind, but without trying more than a small sample from one company it's a pretty big leap to say all coated bullets cause problems. They are most assuredly not a "passing fancy" but feel free not to use them.

Go and look at a folding steel chair -- that hard durable finish is not paint, it is powder coating. Powder coating is very durable. And it's cheap and easy to apply. For undersized bullets, apply two coats.

Dudedog said:

I have used both ACME and MBC coated bullets in 9mm, .45 and .38/.357.
(ACME has really cool wood boxes they send the bullets in)
As mentioned above just make sure you have enough flair.
MBC has .38/.357 bullets in two different hardness levels. BHN12 and BHN18, don't know if they do the same for .45 LC bullets.
The .38 bullets are BHN12 the .357 Bullets are mostly BHN18.
I usually don't load .38 cases I just load .357 cases to .38 power level.
For any thing less than stout .357 loads the BHN12 (softer) ones seemed to shoot better for me,but of course all guns are different.
Pretty much the same in .45 ACP, the BHN12 ones were better at less than full power and in .45 Full power it was to close to call between the 2.

I think you would be happy with either the MBC or ACME bullets.
I also used some Bayou coated bullets and was happy with them.
MBC offers THR members a 5% discount with a code. (They used to, haven't ordered in a while, PM me if you need the code)
I heard there is a code on The Brian Enos forum for ACME but don't know it off hand)

I think the coating is worth the few extra $, however I have heard that in some tests the coated bullets were not quite as accurate as lubed lead, but I don't know If I could shoot the difference.
I think the Bullseye shooters who can prefer lubed lead over coated, but I think for most uses you wouldn't notice a difference.

Please let us know how they work out for you.

Click to expand...

Just found on Google and it's working. "IY6C"