Powder coating for semi-automatics?

[762ftw]

Apologies if this has been asked before but searching with my friend Google has only turned up conflicting answers!

I've been interested in getting into reloading for a little while and casting is particularly interesting. I've read that shooing unjacketed bullets through semi-automatics cannot be done for long due to lead fouling of the barrel and particularly the gas system. My question is whether or not powder coating can negate this entirely, or not. If so do bullets still need gas checks to pevent lead fouling or is the powder coating enough?

Thanks for any and all info!

762

 

[BCRider]

It's only an issue on some barrels with unique rifling or if you use the wrong choice of lead alloy. I've shot oodles of cast rounds through my 1911's and about 1000 through my CZ Shadow. The reason I don't shoot a lot of cast bullets through them now is that around here cast bullets cost more than the Berry's plated bullets. But back when I was shooting them I had zero issues with lead buildup. And that's the way it should be if the bullets are a good fit and the correct alloy.

You only need gas checks on fast bullets or perhaps on very high pressure rounds such as .44Mag or .454Casull. And generally handgun bullets just are not moving fast enough to need the gas checks.

If you're casting your own bullets you need some form of lube. The powder coating can replace this need by acting as the slippery jacket just like with copper plating or jacketing. Or you can lube the bullets. If you're not set up for lubing and sizing then powder coating is an option which will avoid the extra equipment.

 

[ted_dent]

Apologies if this has been asked before but searching with my friend Google has only turned up conflicting answers!

I've been interested in getting into reloading for a little while and casting is particularly interesting. I've read that shooing unjacketed bullets through semi-automatics cannot be done for long due to lead fouling of the barrel and particularly the gas system. My question is whether or not powder coating can negate this entirely, or not. If so do bullets still need gas checks to pevent lead fouling or is the powder coating enough?

Thanks for any and all info!

762

There are several threads on powder coating on the board already so the search function is your friend but basically if you are shooting at pistol ammo velocities gas checks are probably not going to be necessary. Basically, only firearms with more complicated gas systems (e.g. AR-15s) are going to be seriously affected by shooting lead bullets. With most guns your biggest problem will be leading in the barrel. While some people are claiming to be able to shoot in excess 2000 fps with powder coated pullets and no gas checks and get no fouling that's strictly a YMMV situation. You know how everyone tells the truth on the internet.

If properly done, powder coated bullet surfaces are quite hard and can stand up to fairly high velocities better than traditionally lubed lead bullets. They seem to shoot cleaner as well (no lube to generate smoke).

I've just started to dabble in powder coating but have had pretty decent results so far. There are a few people here with a lot more experience than me & I'm sure they will be chiming in soon with extra info.

 

[bigedp51]

762ftw

To me casting bullets is based on how cheap you can get your lead and other materials. I quit casting bullets in 1982 because it was hard to get cheap wheel weights. I live just outside the state capital of Pennsylvania and there were just too many bullet casters which drove up the price of lead. I found it cheaper and easier to shoot cheaper jacketed bullets for practice, so be forewarned the days of cheap lead are long gone. Here in the states California has banned all bullets containing lead and our military is looking at lead free bullets.

The last cast bullets I used I bought online and they did not improve the accuracy of my .303 Enfield rifles so I went back to jacketed bullets.

Below .312 pistol bullets loaded for cheap practice and case forming my .303 Enfield rifles.

I do use a lot of plated bullets in my handguns for practice and lower cost with what I think are good results and any type lead bullets are no longer used. (I'm also lazy and don't like cleaning up lead residue from my firearms.)

Below Rainier plated bullets from my Glock .40 and stock barrel. (I'm 64 with chronologically gifted eyesight)

If you are young and have plenty of lead in your pencil I would spend your time chasing the ladies and forget cast lead bullets.