Reloading Coated vs Jacketed bullets?

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whm1974

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Back when I was reloading .38 Special I used soft cast Lead 158 grain SWC coated with graphite dry lubed. Since I drove the bullets at rather moderate speeds, leading wasn't an issue, but after a few sessions of reloading them, I had to clean out the die to seat the bullets properly...

I never did get around buying any jacketed ones or other types, but off hand the Hi-Tek coated bullets I heard about but are there other coatings that do the same thing?
 
Powder coated is another. The Hi-Tek is supposed to be better, but I haven't had issues with just the PC, nor with plated. I've had outstanding results from Missouri Bullet Company Hi-Tek bullets, and as I use up the other brands, I'll completely switch over to MBC.
 
whm1974 said:
Does the color of the Hi-Tek coatings mean anything at all?
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Nope just whatever the company decides to use or brand the bullets around. IE blue bullets are blue, acme are usually red, Etc..

For an inexpensive option you could check out Brazo’s precision bullets. I’ve got a thread I started doing some testing/ load development on their 9mm bullets. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ed-lead-bullets-for-9mm.868117/#post-11497631
Currently working on part 2 of it.
 
So what happen to Federal's Nylon coated(Or jacketed?) bullets? One old man, a former coworker who claimed to be a security guard at one time, did also make the claim that loaded the .38 with nylon jacketed bullets due to being able to shoot through body armor... That robbers were wearing...

I could only think bull... And rolled my eyes...
 
I think the “old man” “security guard”, was confusing the KTW Teflon coated armor piercing ammo with the Nyclad ammo.

I’ve got a few rounds of the Nyclad laying around as the PD I worked for in the late 70’s-early’80’s issued it. Supposedly it reduced lead particulates in indoor ranges.
 
whm1974 said:
One old man (made) the claim that loaded the .38 with nylon jacketed bullets due to being able to shoot through body armor.
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Purest bunk. Nyclad was an early powdercoat equivalent that let them load an exceptionally soft bullet without leading. The soft bullet would expand at the low velocity achievable in a snubby.
 
Rogers Better Bullets are also a good choice. They are made by King's Shooting Supplies here in the Philadelphia area.
 
Again, google KTW armor piercing Teflon coated bullets.
They were a “thing”, associated with the time period coinciding with the Nyclad ammo.
I personally was involved with testing both the KTW and Winchester FMJ .357mag ammo on some “Second Chance” brand lvl II , III, and IIIa vests as my agency was contemplating purchasing vests.
The Winchester defeated both II and III, but not the IIIa (porcelain plate) vest. The KTW defeated ALL.

But, it was not Federal Nyclad.
And, good old 5.56x45 FMJ did the same thing. One got outlawed, one didn’t.

Most “security guards” are wanna-be’s.
Some, like my older brother, an Airforce Vet was the real deal, but worked for a different level of security. (Federal Government contractor securing Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare assets).

I also have a few of the Winchester 158gr Conical FMJ’s stashed somewhere...
 
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Yeah, but the movie was long after-the-fact...
Take a look at Mk 318mod1. And M855A1. Current issue.
Designed to defeat Russian current issue body armor.
 
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Hey guys sorry if I get off topic. I have just recently bought some MBC coated 200gr 45's. Thing is I have well over a thou of various other non coated bullets. I was thinking of maybe just coating what I have. Is that feesable? When you cast your own bullets are they sized after coating? If so would the extra thickness of the coating pose issues? Please excuse my ignorance as I don't know much if anything about casting.Some of the Penn bullets I have have lube in them. Would this pose an issue because the bullets need to bake in an oven? Thanks much
 
GooseGestapo said:
Again, google KTW armor piercing Teflon coated bullets.
They were a “thing”, associated with the time period coinciding with the Nyclad ammo.
I personally was involved with testing both the KTW and Winchester FMJ .357mag ammo on some “Second Chance” brand lvl II , III, and IIIa vests as my agency was contemplating purchasing vests.
The Winchester defeated both II and III, but not the IIIa (porcelain plate) vest. The KTW defeated ALL.

But, it was not Federal Nyclad.
And, good old 5.56x45 FMJ did the same thing. One got outlawed, one didn’t.

Most “security guards” are wanna-be’s.
Some, like my older brother, an Airforce Vet was the real deal, but worked for a different level of security. (Federal Government contractor securing Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare assets).

I also have a few of the Winchester 158gr Conical FMJ’s stashed somewhere...
Click to expand...
Didn't know that FMJ 357 Mag could defeat level II and III vest at the time. Are current vests capable of stopping that one?

Now to my knowledge common high power hunting rifles will defeat armor unless the wearer has harden inserts. Beware the 30-30 Winchester...
 
The NIJ standards for IIIa are less than III, not more. IIIa is usually soft and III is hard plate.
Labs that do testing to NIJ standards almost always test 357 Semi-jacketed Soft Points. You might find a Youtuber that shot some armor with FMJ, hardcast or a solid copper bullet, for what it's worth.
 
So any limitations with hardcasting bullet and powder coating them yourself? Feet Per Second limits? Using in Semi Auto Weapons?
 
Well this thread and the video here full convinced me to use powered coat bullets when reloading:
 
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