Any polymer coated (such as Hi-tek) soft lead HPs?

[Snowdog]

I'm trying to replicate as close as possible the 125gr Federal Nyclad HP that is now as scarce as hen's teeth for my S&W 60 (manufactured in 1976, so no +Ps).

I'm finding plenty of coated bullets in .358, but all appear to be hardcast with a brinell way over 5.

Is this something I'm going to have to make myself, or is there someone out there that offers a dead-soft lead (or close to it) that features a polymer coating?

I loaded a couple hundred rounds of 145gr HPs over 4.2 grains of Win 231, but I'm not sure if they'll expand at velocities from the 1 7/8" barrel (they have a brinell of 11). And I'm sure they'll be smoky.

If I could find some soft lead coated .358 HPs (especially in the 125-145gr range) I'd be happy!

 

[Jonesy814]

A brinell hardness of 5 would be pure lead. I never heard of anyone casting pure lead, usually it is some sort of alloy. Missouri bullet Co carries some Hi TEK coated bullets with a brinell hardness of 12. That's the lowest I have seen. The problem with shipping a bullet that soft is that its all dented and smudged by the time you get it

 

[CZ9shooter]

I buy coated swaged bullets from a little outfit called Precision Bullets. Last I checked they did not have any hollow point offerings though.

And then I know the very soft semi-wadcutter HP that BuffaloBore uses can be had from Rim Rock bullets. But its conventionally lubed.

Thats the best I can come up with.

 

[Snowdog]

Yes, I do have some concerns about just how soft pure lead is, specifically how well an HP with a Binell of 5 would stand up to the powder coat tumble process.
I read (I don't remember where) that those Nyclads used dead-soft lead with a nylon coating. Being so soft, they would still expand some at velocities typical with standard pressure from a short barrel. If I can manage to obtain soft lead coated HPs, I'd like to start there and see what kind of results I get as far as accuracy and expansion go.

I might even go the Play-do route I used back 15 years ago when I first joined THR.

This has become more of a challenge than I had originally expected. I'm not tapping out though.

 

[ray15]

I buy coated swaged bullets from a little outfit called Precision Bullets. Last I checked they did not have any hollow point offerings though.

Precision advertises their alloy as '6/2'. I'm no expert but I think that's 6% antimony and 2% tin, making for hard bullet. A Brinell hardness of ~16, as I understand it. I don't think a HP would expand effectively at that hardness.

 

[FROGO207]

Yeah MB is the one that has soft bullets but I do not see where they have HP bullets that soft. You might email Brad and see if he will run and coat a soft batch for you. He just might if you order enough to make it worth setting up for them.