Do moly coated bullets improve accuracy?

[spriz]

I've heard different reviews on Moly coated bullets. I've listed what was said about the pro and cons from different sources.

Pros: Improves accuracy, prolongs barrel life, increases velocity, eases cleaning

Cons: Degrades barrel, may "gum" up barrel, does not improve accuracy but increases spread.

So basically the only thing moly does is ease in cleaning? Does anyone have any expierence in shooting these?

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I've heard they in fact do not increase accuracy, only prolong a string of accurate shots between cleanings. They are a pain in the butt to use with about 10-20 shots before the bore "settles" and cleaning is not as easy afterwards, you will have to use a brush and elbow grease to get the stuff out, solvent doesn't get it all and you have to get it all or the barrel will rust underneath it, and you will have an uneven application of molly the next time you shoot it. If you are a varminter, maybe there is a benifit to you where you're shooting 400 rounds before you clean the gun. But for medium/big game hunting and targets, forget it. I don't think it improves barrel life any noticable amount unless you are shooting a really overbore cartridge like something Lazzaroni puts out. I tried 20 rounds in a know load in .243 where the only difference was moly coating. Instead of 1.25" groups I got 3" groups, but I only shot 20 and so the bore might not have been coated enough.

 

[jcwit]

Give Sierra bullets a call. I did a few years ago and they didn't recommend them, and they sell them.

 

[loadedround]

I used them once in my Garand woith a NM barrel and will never again use moly coated bullets in any rifle I own. Theacrually shot worse than mon moly bullets and it was a royal PIA to clean my barrel afterwards.

 

[Maverick223]

IME, they afford little advantage at much greater expenditure whilst making the bbl harder to clean. I prefer clean copper jackets.

 

[Howard Roark]

I've started shooting moly coated bullets in my match rifle, NRA-high power. The moly bullets are faster than naked. I use 1.5 min less elevation from 200 to the 300 yard line. I haven't shot 600 yards yet to know how much flatter they are there. Flatter shooting means faster for less wind deflection= more accurate.

Moly has added 500-800 more rounds of barrel life for a friend that shoots .243.

YMMV

 

[Hangingrock]

I’ve used coated bullets in both the .223 and .308. The negative aspects mentioned have not occurred with my usage to date. With one .223 load employing R15 and Sierra Match King 77gr HPBT I’m over the maximum charge weight of (XX) @2879-FPS MV.

 

[Afy]

Go hBN.

 

[paintballdude902]

only thing ive heard for sure is that they degrease copper fouling

 

[RainDodger]

I know only one thing about moly-coated bullets...

I've got a Sako heavy barrel (Forester) in .243 that I haven't been able to get great accuracy out of in 10 years of reloading for it. The other day I picked up a box of Berger 90 grain boattail match bullets that are coated. I'd never fired any coated bullets before.

I fired a group of 5 at 100 yards and three holes were touching with the other 2 inside an inch. I had never had that kind of luck with this rifle. I proceeded to nearly duplicate that for 20 rounds worth of groups. Then I discovered that Berger no longer coats their 90 grain .243 bullets, so I called them and asked. They sent me a handful of the non-coated 90 grain bullets to try, to see if I get the same accuracy.

I should be heading for the range on the 17th of this month, and I'll do a direct comparison, coated and non-coated, with the same bullet and load. (I don't have a chrono, so won't be able to say anything about velocity)

Just for grins, I also loaded up some Sierra Match Kings in 90 grain as well, and I'll compare them to the Bergers.

Might be interesting; might be stupid. I'll know later!

 

[cougar1717]

If you search the handloading and reloading forum or ask this question in that forum you should be able to get specific answers. I do know this - a large number of benchrest shooters tried these and returned to uncoated bullets.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

The only factory ammo my .280 will shoot accurately is Winchester ballistic silvertips and they're coated. I bought the dies for it though so I'll be trying to work up an accurate load soon.
I've never experienced the cleaning issues that some have mentioned. I just clean like normal, and I've not seen any problems or rust. Granted, I've probably shot less than 200through it, so maybe I just haven't shot enough to matter.

 

[W.E.G.]

I use 1.5 min less elevation from 200 to the 300 yard line

Have you actually CHRONOGRAPHED those moly loads?

Wouldn't less sight elevation indicate the bullet staying in the barrel LONGER?
Therefore slower velocity?

The longer the bullet stays in the barrel (and is affected by recoil), the higher it prints on the target.
So, you need less elevation on the gun.

For example, 125 grain +P .38 Special ammo gets out of the barrel real fast, and requires MORE ELEVATION to get the point of impact to the same point of aim as a much slower 158 grain bullet.
(And we are talking close range, so trajectory is not a factor)

It has long since been determined that moly does NOT have any effect plus/minus on accuracy. You may have a moly load that is more accurate in your rifle. But, it isn't more accurate because of the moly. It just happens to be more accurate.

There is evidence that moly makes cleanup easier on some rifles.

I went 4000 rounds on a Krieger AR-15 barrel with moly ammo, and never used a brush in the bore.
Just mop-out the chamber and pull two patches with Break-Free through the bore.
That gun barrel was X-ring accurate from Day 1.

The throat has now started to show distinct "alligatoring" (now at about 10,000 rounds).
I ran out of moly ammo, and I'm using non-moly now.
That barrel is still turning-out high-master scores.
No fliers.
The crown and the rifling near the muzzle still look perfect.

 

[KevinR]

Used them, mixed results except for one thing, cleaning is harder for sure.

 

[Geno]

My Weatherby Mark V .300 Win Mag does not shoot the moly bullets as-well-as as it fires the plain copper jacketed bullets of equal weight. I bought 3 boxes of Winchester Fail Safe 150 grain. I fired 17 rounds, and still have the balance unused. They make a dandy Christmas gift for someone whose rifle does fire them accurately.

Geno

 

[Ky Larry]

I found a box of Hornady 58gr V-Max 6mm moly bullets in a mom-and-pop gun store lasr year. Tried some with a known load for this uncoated bullet in my .243 Savage BVSS and accuracy wasn't as good as the uncoated bullet. I read/heard somewhere that velocity would be lower with coated bullets because of less friction. I increased the powder charge by 1gr and accuracy was as good as uncoated bullets. It made a mess in my barrel so I don't shoot them. ( Doesn't matter because bullets aren't available in this area.) YMMV.

 

[Howard Roark]

Have you actually CHRONOGRAPHED those moly loads?

No, I have not CHRONOGRAPHED any loads. Coated bullets most often can be loaded with more powder than uncoated for a gain in velocity = less elevation.

Whatever works for the individual is what counts.