What's you favorite powder coated bullet recipe?

[Thomasss]

I haven't found much information on loading powder coated bullets, so I thought I'd ask the question.
I've been loading 124 gr SWC powdered with Harbor freight coated black powder and loading 9mm Blazer brass with 4.5 grs of CFE Pistol and Federal small pistol primers.

 

[troy fairweather]

I've been just using the hf powder, I'm about our so probably get more from eastwoods.
I remember reading years ago to not use the black from hf, something in it is very abrasive.k use the red, many guys use the ford blue from eastwoods.

 

[reddog81]

powder coated bullets can and should be loaded in the same manner as plain old lead lubed bullets.

The light yet accurate target load I've settled on is 4.3 grains Vihtavuori N340 with either a 124 SWC or 140 TC. In some guns I've been able to drop the charge down half a grain and still function, but 4.3 is the listed start load for a 124 grain bullet and seems to cycle in everything I've tried.

 

[PWC]

What is the bullet size to use for powder coating? Better asked, how much does coating add to the dia. for loading.

If I use .452 lead, and powder coat, I assume I would have to size the coated bullet to get uniform size from the coating.

Do I start with .450, .451 or .452?

It seems that if you could earn a degree in Handloading, there is a new elective: Basic Handloading, Casting, Annealing, and now Powder Coating. I know, it's too hot to work outside (110°), so I'm just sotting inside drinking iced tea....

 

[res45]

The diameter of a powder coated bullet will depend on the brand of powder used and your coating technique, mine generally average around .002" larger after coating using the shake and bake method. I size my bullets to the same diameter as I would if I were using traditional forms of lube. In my 45 ACP I size my powder coated bullet to .452" in 9 mm I size all my bullets to .357" after coating and I use standard lead bullet loading data.

45 ACP


9 mm

 

[cfullgraf]

I use Eastwood powders. Ford blue, MG maroon, a red and a yellow.

I load the coated bullets the same as any of my other cast bullets but I do not drive them very fast, relatively speaking anyway.

 

[mdi]

Coated bullets are lead with a fancy lube/paint on them. Use lead data and methods. At least for starting and work up loads paying close attention to performance, just like any reloading....

 

[AJC1]

I use the ford Blue from Eastwood for my powder coating. I size the bullets after powder coat utilizing the Lee pass through sizing die. So far I am loading 38 357 and 45 caliber. Every load that I've made so far has been in the very low range and they seem to be very accurate while still cycling the gun. 38 specials with 158 grain Lee powder coated bullet with three grains of titegroup Works amazing. 45 caliber using the 230 grain Lee cone Flat Point with 6 grains of power pistol works just as well.

 

[PWC]

I still think I stated my question badly....let me try again.... my 1911 shoots .452 lead, if I powder coat, do I have to size them to .452?

That would "wipe" off the coating, thus losing the benefit of no lube powder coat.

Does powder coating require .450 or .451 bullets?

Thanks for your indulgence.....

 

[AJC1]

I still think I stated my question badly....let me try again.... my 1911 shoots .452 lead, if I powder coat, do I have to size them to .452?

That would "wipe" off the coating, thus losing the benefit of no lube powder coat.

Does powder coating require .450 or .451 bullets?

Thanks for your indulgence.....

I size to .452 after coating.

 

[reddog81]

Most people use the same molds and sizing dies for PC. Powder coating does add a little thickness so you could use smaller bullets but it’s not necessary.

If you have a mold that produces fat bullets to begin with then powder coat might make them too big. Trying to size down over .006 and you start running into problems. PC only adds about .002.

 

[Texas10mm]

I still think I stated my question badly....let me try again.... my 1911 shoots .452 lead, if I powder coat, do I have to size them to .452?

That would "wipe" off the coating, thus losing the benefit of no lube powder coat.

Does powder coating require .450 or .451 bullets?

Thanks for your indulgence.....

Take your cast bullets. Powder coat them. Then size them to .452.

There's no mystery to it. The coating isn't going to "wipe" off as it's baked on.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Ask the gun. First shoot unsized bullets and see how well they shoot. If you're not satisfied with the results, then size before loading.

The purpose of powder coating is to prevent leading in the bore. If you get acceptable accuracy and no leading, you've accomplished your purpose.

 

[mdi]

I still think I stated my question badly....let me try again.... my 1911 shoots .452 lead, if I powder coat, do I have to size them to .452?

That would "wipe" off the coating, thus losing the benefit of no lube powder coat.

Does powder coating require .450 or .451 bullets?

Thanks for your indulgence.....

Coated bullets are lead with a fancy lube/paint on them. Use lead data and methods. At least for starting and work up loads paying close attention to performance, just like any reloading....

Use all lead bullet loading methods from case prep (flaring), load data and bullet sizing. I have PCed a lot of my cast bullets and size them the same method as I size any cast bullet. Like I lube my cast before sizing instead PC them and then size, soon after to weeks after PCing. If you are "wiping off" PC when sizing, there are problems with your coating methods. If you want to use .452" bullets in your gun, use a 452" sizer...

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?184-Coatings-and-Alternatives

 

[BC17A]

I prefer to spray the PC on to get a more consistent coat. Pic shows a 120TC and 95FP with HF red after sizing to .357". I can't recall what my favorite loads are for the 95 in 380, but my favorite 9mm using the 120TC is 7&7. That's 7 grains of AA#7. Somehow it's easy for me to remember.



.

 

[LiveLife]

120TC and 95FP with HF red

Beautiful looking bullets!

 

[sparkyv]

The castboolits forum is a great resource.

I haven't found much information on loading powder coated bullets,

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I prefer to spray the PC on to get a more consistent coat. Pic shows a 120TC and 95FP with HF red after sizing to .357". I can't recall what my favorite loads are for the 95 in 380, but my favorite 9mm using the 120TC is 7&7. That's 7 grains of AA#7. Somehow it's easy for me to remember.



View attachment 935097 .

What do you use to spray?

 

[BC17A]

What do you use to spray?

I use this Eastwood gun. I heard the Harbor-freight gun works just as well and is less half the $$.

 

[mstreddy]

That would "wipe" off the coating, thus losing the benefit of no lube powder coat.

Does powder coating require .450 or .451 bullets?

No wiping off of coating during sizing. You cast your bullets, then coat, and then size to .452.
As someone stated above, too large may be problematic to size.

 

[mstreddy]

OP, as far as favorite recipes, I'm still playing with different bullet profiles/weights/etc, so I don't have a favorite yet. About the closest one I've come to settling on is a 155ish grain SWC for my 38 Specials over 3.5 grains of WST.
For powders I'm using some of Smoke's powders. I'm not at the level of perfect coating as shown above. That's another area where I need to find the sweet spot. I think maybe I put too many bullets in the container.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I use this Eastwood gun. I heard the Harbor-freight gun works just as well and is less half the $$.

Thanks. I'll try it.