First time loading coated

[Reefinmike]

Bullseye is known to soften the powder coat on the base of the bullet. Within a week of loading i can scrape the powder coat off with my fingernail. No problems immediately noticed from shooting these but it is something to consider before loading up a years wirth of ammo. Unique and titegroup soften the coating some but not nearly as bad as bullseye. Some kernels will stick to the base of the bullet as it eats into the coating. Hp38/win231 is completely safe with powder coating after a couple years loaded.

 

[bullseye308]

If you are going to be getting a squib rod, please get brass and not wood. I got one for 9/38/357 and one for 45 from eBay for like $9 shipped. Get at least an 8" rod of each.

 

[Reeferman]

Well I went to the indoor range tonight and had a surprise. First 3 I shot really sucked but the next 9 I was able to group within a 3" circle at about 25 feet. Not exactly dead eye dick but for my old eyes I'm pretty damn happy.
Not sure what happened with the first 3 but probably the uncertainly of what was going to happen.
I was surprised at how loud they were with only 2.5 grains of Bullseye. But my 1911 GSG has about the same recoil with Stingers.
I did find when I was cleaning in corner of the groves there's a bit of red from the bullets that didn't come out with brush, mop and patches. Not sure if this is normal with coated bullets or because of the size of them. Only used Ballistol so may have to use higher horsepower bore solvent.
Going to try some more with 231, Tightgroup and some more Bulleseye.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Glad to hear you got it figured out. You'll probably have it perfected with 100 rounds left. And then you can start all over with 358 bullets. At least that's how it works for me.

 

[Reeferman]

Bullseye is known to soften the powder coat on the base of the bullet. Within a week of loading i can scrape the powder coat off with my fingernail. No problems immediately noticed from shooting these but it is something to consider before loading up a years wirth of ammo. Unique and titegroup soften the coating some but not nearly as bad as bullseye. Some kernels will stick to the base of the bullet as it eats into the coating. Hp38/win231 is completely safe with powder coating after a couple years loaded.

Interesting there reefrinmike I'll have to check that out.

 

[Reeferman]

Glad to hear you got it figured out. You'll probably have it perfected with 100 rounds left. And then you can start all over with 358 bullets. At least that's how it works for me.

I'm looking at getting a Lee bullet die but of course no one here has one so will have to order it on line. I like your avatar as that's pretty much me these days.

 

[Reeferman]

I finally did get a Lee sizer in 358 and you all are right. They load fine with any of the expander dies I have and the Cowboy dies seem to be one of those "it sounds good but sure not needed" in my case anyways.

 

[Walkalong]

And the FCD was squeezing them down in the case anyway. Didn't need it to get them to chamber when the bullets were .358 to start with, did ya.

 

[Reeferman]

And the FCD was squeezing them down in the case anyway. Didn't need it to get them to chamber when the bullets were .358 to start with, did ya.

Actually the bullets were anywhere from .360 to .362. The fcd was scrapping the coating off a lot of them. After sizing to .358 they slid in just like jacketed ones. The bottom sizer on the fcd
didn't touch the bullet or case.

 

[Tilos]

I finally did get a Lee sizer in 358 and you all are right. They load fine with any of the expander dies I have and the Cowboy dies seem to be one of those "it sounds good but sure not needed" in my case anyways.

I bought all 3 Lee bullet sizing dies (.356/.357/.358) since switching to coated bullets exclusively, for handguns.
I buy bullets without lube grooves from several sources and have found the diameters vary even in bullets from the same place.

I quantify the bullet diameter by pushing every bullet I buy thru a sizing die, as it takes no more time to do this than it would to measure each/every bullet.
The different pressure required in this re-sizing is a good indication of the variation in bullet diameter, as received.

An added benefit of this is I can buy one coated bullet of each weight and use it for all 3 calibers (9mm/.357/38s), by sizing them accordingly, as needed.

 

[Reeferman]

I bought all 3 Lee bullet sizing dies (.356/.357/.358) since switching to coated bullets exclusively, for handguns.
I buy bullets without lube grooves from several sources and have found the diameters vary even in bullets from the same place.

I quantify the bullet diameter by pushing every bullet I buy thru a sizing die, as it takes no more time to do this than it would to measure each/every bullet.
The different pressure required in this re-sizing is a good indication of the variation in bullet diameter, as received.

An added benefit of this is I can buy one coated bullet of each weight for 9mm/.357/38s, and size them accordingly, as needed.

Oh for sure. If I am able to find more coated bullets be it for 9m, 357 or 44 then I will get the right sizer. I was surprised at the different amounts of pressure on my Rockchucker handle while sizing them. Still have 400 or so left to size.