44 Mag Powder Coated Bullets
- Thread starter Keyfer 55
- Start date
- Status
WrongHanded
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2017
- Messages
- 4,771
Typically, the bullet manufacturer (assuming you're buying commercial bullets) have suggestions on maximum velocities.
What barrel length? In rifles, if following manufacturer's guidelines, I'd say no. But for pistol velocities, the limiting factor in most cases will be chamber pressure, so they should be similar.
What barrel length? In rifles, if following manufacturer's guidelines, I'd say no. But for pistol velocities, the limiting factor in most cases will be chamber pressure, so they should be similar.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,027
I'd suggest same a plated, not jacketed. Powder coating doesn't really lend any strength or hardness to the lead under it. Jackets are stronger and harder than lead.
bluejay75
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2021
- Messages
- 426
You’re actually going to need more powder than you would for jacketed. Ever wonder why the old timers shot 25 grains H110 behind the 250 Keith. Cast goes down the barrel easier than jacketed so you’re going to generate less pressure.
So yes. You can go right up to jacketed loads but the next question is if your bullet can take it. My guess is no. A 275 grain behind a max charge of slow pistol powder is going to get you 1700 FPS and be very accurate and have less drop if that matters to you. That’s the same speed you’re going to get from a 240 jacketed with more energy.
So yes. You can go right up to jacketed loads but the next question is if your bullet can take it. My guess is no. A 275 grain behind a max charge of slow pistol powder is going to get you 1700 FPS and be very accurate and have less drop if that matters to you. That’s the same speed you’re going to get from a 240 jacketed with more energy.
bluejay75
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2021
- Messages
- 426
Just tested a 238 HP powder coated plain base 23.5 H110 last week. 3 inch 100 yard group. Uninspiring. The last pic is of a 275 WFN Plain Base powder coated. with 23 grains of H110. Shoots MOA.
Attachments
milsurpguy
member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2021
- Messages
- 549
What they said.
Normally I load H110, 2400 ect, but with cast I think I would want something that buns a lot faster like unique.
How was the leading with a cast bullet over twenty something grains of H110?
Normally I load H110, 2400 ect, but with cast I think I would want something that buns a lot faster like unique.
How was the leading with a cast bullet over twenty something grains of H110?
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I read this post earlier. Held off on replying. Im not sure how powder coat is vs Hi-tek coating. But i use the Hi-tek coated. I been wanting to chrono my 44 mag loads in my CVA 44 mag rifle. I been shooting them quite a bit. And no leading. Todays mean velocity was 1482 FPS.
black mamba
Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2020
- Messages
- 361
I've seen threads where rifle shooters were using PC bullets to over 2000 fps, so should be no problemo in a handgun, as long as the coating was properly applied.
Obturation
Member
I've pushed hi-tek coated bullets over 1800 fps, no problem at all. Powder coated , I'm not sure.
Hi-Tek in particular (there are some others) can be pushed up to 2,600 FPS. I haven't gotten any of my bullets quite that fast but I've definitely come close in various rifle applications. So far I only have some leading in 10mm and I was able to trace that back to a bad batch of bullets. I would say you can run them as if they were jacketed - certainly in .44 Magnum.
Not everyone applies the coating correctly. I did a retention test awhile back using commercial bullets from MBC and was able to document 1,419 FPS from a 10mm with no leading. I have since driven Hi-Tek and other coatings faster with no leading but I need a better retention method to grab the bullets and haven't been able to accomplish it yet.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,027
But Hi-Tek isn’t powder coating so how is it effected by nitro? Or is the poly resin more resilient?
bluejay75
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2021
- Messages
- 426
30 caliber 180 grain at 1900 left and 44 mag WFN 1700 FPSon the right. Good powder coat on the left. Bad powder coat on the right. Just get good powder if I can offer anything to keep your post on topic. Eastwood or Powder by the Pound Clear works. The dark gray off brand powder didn’t make the ride so well. Only leaded a little, but still leaded.
Swampman
Old Fart
It's not really fair to compare cast to jacketed velocities in straight wall pistol cartridges.
As bluejay75 pointed out, lead bullets will develop lower pressures and velocities than jacketed bullets with equal powder charges.
The flip side is that the limiting factor is pressure, so you can use more powder in the cast bullet load, giving higher velocities than those obtainable with jacketed.
Don't believe me? Check out this load from Buffalo Bore.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54
As bluejay75 pointed out, lead bullets will develop lower pressures and velocities than jacketed bullets with equal powder charges.
The flip side is that the limiting factor is pressure, so you can use more powder in the cast bullet load, giving higher velocities than those obtainable with jacketed.
Don't believe me? Check out this load from Buffalo Bore.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54
Actually pressures have more to do with case capacity, bullet lengths and the amount of bullet taking up volume in the case.
You will also find that when done correctly, coated bullets will have more velocity for the same pressure then their jacketed counterparts.
That is why I typically use cast/coated bullets in snubnosed revolvers rather then jacketed bullets. It might not be much but if I can get 40fps+ simply by using a cast/coated bullet over a jacketed bullets using the same pressure. That's a win/win in my eyes.
As far as the coating goes:
If it was done correctly you will need to get into the 2700fps range before you start seeing signs of the coating failing. At +/- 2700fps some coating start to burn/leave scorch marks in the bbl. It comes out easy enough with bore-tech eliminator but then again this happens in a 308w when pushing bullets 2700fps+ with 40,000psi+ loads. It's a combo of the velocity and pressure with the faster burning ball powders that caused this. I saw it with h335 but didn't with 4064 @ 2700fps+
I highly doubt you are going to be pushing your coated bullets 2700fps+.
You will also find that when done correctly, coated bullets will have more velocity for the same pressure then their jacketed counterparts.
That is why I typically use cast/coated bullets in snubnosed revolvers rather then jacketed bullets. It might not be much but if I can get 40fps+ simply by using a cast/coated bullet over a jacketed bullets using the same pressure. That's a win/win in my eyes.
As far as the coating goes:
If it was done correctly you will need to get into the 2700fps range before you start seeing signs of the coating failing. At +/- 2700fps some coating start to burn/leave scorch marks in the bbl. It comes out easy enough with bore-tech eliminator but then again this happens in a 308w when pushing bullets 2700fps+ with 40,000psi+ loads. It's a combo of the velocity and pressure with the faster burning ball powders that caused this. I saw it with h335 but didn't with 4064 @ 2700fps+
I highly doubt you are going to be pushing your coated bullets 2700fps+.
Glad to see you on this website!!!
For those that don't know Bluejay 75, he is 1 heck of a caster and loves to experiment with those cast/coated bullets.
- Status
