Could I be missing out on somethings

[snowman357]

Years and years ago I was reluctant to use polymer pistols (love them now) , with reloading I find I'm not using any of the newer enduron powders or other cfe powders. I didn't bother with the powder coated bullets, but I do like the HY tek coated bullets, never tried plated bullets.

I reload: 3006(garand), 9mm, 38spl, 38super, 45 and 380 acp, 357 mag, 260, 280, 308 and 223

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I like the coated bullets too. I loaded 100 357 mag today with Hodgen CFE.

 

[FROGO207]

As far as the bullets and propellant, if you are happy with your results and can always get resupplied then meh. If you are up for trying new and possibly better options then experiment away. I will try new stuff when the opportunity presents itself just to say I gave it a try. Probably why I have over 30 different propellants on my shelf presently.

 

[Random 8]

Can't comment on the propellants. The old timers I burn (most have been around longer than me) still do what I need them to, so see no need to switch. I can comment to coated and plated bullets. I do like plated in 9mm, and they did very well in my .41 Mag for reduced loads with Unique. I even ran some up to the red line with H110 and got good accuracy, but they did lead the bore eventually. I wouldn't hesitate to try them in .357 for mid-power loads, but probably wouldn't red line them. My .357 revolvers do so well with traditional cast, I feel no need. I am in the minority here in not liking HyTek bullets one bit. I've tried the MBC version and the Acme version. I find them inaccurate, and prone to the "jacket" getting marred in seating which results in leading. I have never been able to get the accuracy of similar loads with jacketed or traditional cast/lubed in 9mm, .38Spl/.357 light, and .41 magnum. I also positively hate the burnt wiring smell when fired.

I have run a plated or cast/lubed carbine bullet through my 30-06 over a reduced charge of Red Dot, Unique, or whatever pistol powder I wish to use at the time. I use these for youth shooters and pest elimination at my cabin. I've gotten accuracy ranging from atrocious to very good, rivaling my hunting loads at 50 yards. This is through an M1917 sporter. I've also fired them through my Garand (single shot only) with good results. Recently I came into a large quantity of Rem SP 110 gr carbine bullets for a song, so I'll be shooting those for the forseeable future. This bullet and Unique were one of the ones that rivaled my hunting loads. The other was a Berry's plated.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’ve had bad luck with coated bullets. My brother makes them for me.

So, I need to try factory coated before I say they stink.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Years and years ago I was reluctant to use polymer pistols (love them now) , with reloading I find I'm not using any of the newer enduron powders or other cfe powders. I didn't bother with the powder coated bullets, but I do like the HY tek coated bullets, never tried plated bullets.

I reload: 3006(garand), 9mm, 38spl, 38super, 45 and 380 acp, 357 mag, 260, 280, 308 and 223

There’s only one way to find out

 

[snowman357]

I haved used bayou bullets, seam ok but I'm hoing to try SNS brand next.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I like Summers enterprises. I had some leading issues with SNS casting with hotter powders like Tite group. They recommend not using powder 15th and up in the burn rate chart. Summers i been running Bullseye and tite group no leading. So something to keep in mind if ordering from SNS. I like Bayou too over SNS.

 

[bluejay75]

Hi tek didnt hold up over 1500 FPS. Had a barrel leaded pretty bad above those speeds. Powder coat handles it fine. 1800-1900 no leading.

 

[Jonesy814]

I started out in 2014 loading plated bullets. In 2017 I tried some Hi-Tek coated bullets from Summers Enterprises. I have not bought plated bullets since.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’ve used coated bullets from Missouri Bullet Co., ACME, Bayou, Brazos, Ibedjiheads, The Blue Bullet Co. and Eggleston. They’ve been various styles and weights of SWC, some RN and RNFP along with DE and Button Nose Wadcutters in handguns from .32 H&R to .45 Colt, RNFP bullets in .30-30, .35 Rem...and I’ve even lobbed some 500 grain RNFP pumpkins from the .45/70.

Ive come to really like the coated bullets, especially indoors to cut down on smoke when shooting revolvers with people using the adjacent lanes.

Try a variety of makers and styles as they become available, many offer sample packs to try out. This way I’m sure you’ll find powder load and bullet combos that will be great shooters in your guns .

Stay safe.

 

[forrest r]

Years and years ago I was reluctant to use polymer pistols (love them now) , with reloading I find I'm not using any of the newer enduron powders or other cfe powders. I didn't bother with the powder coated bullets, but I do like the HY tek coated bullets, never tried plated bullets.

I reload: 3006(garand), 9mm, 38spl, 38super, 45 and 380 acp, 357 mag, 260, 280, 308 and 223

So many choices out there, wouldn't worry about it.

Myself I'm the opposite of you. Shot countless 1000's of coated bullets but never bothered with hi-tek coated bullets.

 

[snowman357]

So many choices out there, wouldn't worry about it.

Myself I'm the opposite of you. Shot countless 1000's of coated bullets but never bothered with hi-tek coated bullets.

Never seen any evidence of hytek when cleaning guns, how about the powder coated, what brands have you used?

 

[WVRJ]

The Enduron and CFE powders are definitely worth a look.I use CFE 223 for my general use AR ammunition and it's great.Meters excellent through a powder measure and makes more velocity than anything else I've tried.I also use it in my 22-250 with good results.In my 280AI,I use IMR7977 and it does as advertised.That rifle has a Shilen select match barrel and it stays clean for a lot of rounds,and when I do clean it,there is no copper fouling at all.It's running 168's at 2950 FPS(chronographed)and there's little velocity spread and the velocity stays the same winter or summer.Reloaders in today's world are blessed with some excellent components when they can get them.

 

[lordpaxman]

For the pistol calibers, I’ve not seen any difference between the various coating types. For coated lead I think it’s more important to slug the barrel and get a sized bullet that works best. I developed loads for them because I don’t like single sourcing anything so hopefully in the future if I need to load something I’d have it. If loading to a given PF, the coated will take less powder, they’re slippery little devils, and provide decent groups. Faster powders can be employed like IMR Target , N320 or Sport Pistol. Good Luck.

 

[forrest r]

Never seen any evidence of hytek when cleaning guns, how about the powder coated, what brands have you used?

I pc my own bullets, didn't want to mess with the chemicals used in the hy-tek coating process.

Hy-tek ='s polyurethane
pc ='s polyester

Never had any leading issues with the pc'd bullets in the 38spl's/357's/44spl's/44mag's/45acp's/308w's. The only issue I ever ran into with the pc'd bullets was in the 308w when pushing the bullets over 2700fps. Scorched residue would start showing up in the bbl.


It came out easy enough with bore-tech eliminator. I started coating the pc'd bullets with a 45/45/10 tumble lube when I wanted to push the cast/coated bullets over 2700fps. The 45/45/10 stopped the black streaking in the bbl.

45/45/10 is:
45% johnson's paste wax
45% lee liquid alox (lee's tumble lube)
10% oderless mineral spirits

If the pc coating is under cured I will start to see minor coloring on the muzzle of the firearm. It doesn't affect anything and clean up is caveman simple.

What a 1911 chambered in 9mm looked like after a 500+ round range session with a home cast (8/9bhn) bullet that was pc'd and shot with a 1100fps+/25,000psi+ load.


A close-up of that bbl after it was removed from the 1911


No brushing needed, 1 wet patch of hoppe's #9 and 1 dry patch later, that bbl is clean.


I've cast my own bullets since 1985 & have shot countless 1000's of traditional cast/lubed/sized bullets. Started pc's my cast bullets in 2014 and never looked back.

 

[mdi]

Powders; If the powder burns consistently and fairly cleanly, 90% of shooters probably can't tell the difference as long as their handloads all go boom. I have always been able to make accurate handloads with most powders I have used with working up and tweeking powder charges. I'm not a hunter so temperature sensitivity is no concern and I clean my guns after each range session so "dirty" means nothing. I do have my favorites but bottom line little difference.

I started casting in the '80s and have fired cast bullets in all my guns, being able to develop clean accurate bullets. I have PCed a lot and have purchased Hi-Tek coated bullets and they do everything they are reported to do; clean shooting, clean handling, and as accurate as my cast. PCing is just an extension to my casting hobby, sometimes I don't feel like getting all the stuff out and processing bullets and just use my nekkid cast and lubed. PCed and my nekkid are equal in cleanliness and performance so it's a toss up. I really like Hi-Tek bullets in my 45 ACPs. Partially looks (big black bullet riding on a clean brass case), and consistent good feeding and accurate in my 3, 45 ACP guns...

I too shunned plastic guns and 9mm as I was a died in the wool steel revolver shooter. Out of curiosity I picked up a Ruger 9mm several years ago and now I have 4 and 9mm has become one of my "JIC" ammos. I still like the feel of my steel and wood 44 Magnums and 38 Specials (and my 1911 and other steel bottom feeders), but I still shoot the "wunder 9s" a lot.

 

[jmr40]

30-06 and 308 are the only 2 cartridges we both load for. And my goals with 30-06 are probably far different than yours. My go-to 30-06 powder is H4350, but I've experimented just a bit with the new IMR4451 and found it to be a good substitute.

Same with 308, I prefer Varget, but have found 4166 to be just about the same.

I'm not changing powders, but it is good to know that if my favorites aren't available I have alternatives.