Coated bullets - grooveless vs. grooved

[ilmonster]

I am a big fan of MBC bullets for reloading. In their new Hi-Tek coated bullets, some of them are offered in regular style with lube grooves in the bullets (say, 200 gr. 45 ACP SWC's) and coated, and some are now offered in a grooveless design with no lube grooves as there is no lube needed with coated bullets.

My question is is there any reason to favor regular coated bullets vs. grooveless? More or less accuracy with one vs. the other? Thanks!

 

[kcofohio]

Here is a recent thread covering your question, maybe?
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-lube-groove-cast-bullets-coated-test.819588/

 

[ilmonster]

Thanks for the link. Didn't think to search as this is a pretty new subject. Interesting results in that test, although being that handguns that are shot offhand, I can't imagine there would be a material difference in accuracy. We're not talking sandbagged rifles where a tenth of a grain of powder might make a difference.

 

[Havok7416]

There's no practical difference you will see shooting pistol and likely not in rifle either, although I haven't shot coated in rifles yet.

 

[wally]

I think I put this in the linked thread too, but IMHO go with the groove-less. The bullet is a bit shorter, and thus you have more room for powder at the same OAL. Also gives you extra margin for potential bullet setback issues as well. I saw no difference shooting MBC 147gr groove-less vs. 147gr "normal" hardcast with the same powder charge and OAL. My hands are cleaner after loading a few hundred too. I'll be buying the coated bullets from now on.

 

[HankC]

Any benefit adding lube to the lube grooves on top of coated rifle bullets? Such as higher velocity?

 

[Havok7416]

No that will just make a mess. I think the coating actually improves velocity slightly, but I may have that backwards. Someone has posted results here before.

 

[thomas15]

Why not buy 100 pcs of each and give them a workout?

 

[jmorris]

My question is is there any reason to favor regular coated bullets vs. grooveless?

The reason to favor the ones with thelube groove is because you already had the mold before you started coating or you still was lube some for whatever reason.

The groove less bullets will work better for some bullet feeders though.