Powder coated bullets - does the powder coat cause barrel fouling??

X

Xippper

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Location
Ottawa area
Looking to restock some 9mm projectiles... I've use FMJ and copper plated with success but have no experience with powder coated.

Is there a particular advantage or disadvantage to powder coated over FMJ/copper plated?

Are they 'cleaner' (barrel fouling) than FMJ/plated? Or do they leave a residue of some sort? If so, how hard is to remove the residue?

Any insights will be appreciated.


X
 
I've been using PC for a few years now, fouling is a non issue as long as the PC passes the squish test and the acetone test.
The advantage for me was ridding myself of all the messy lubes associated with cast bullets and the cost. You can PC 1000's of bullets for the cost of one pound of powder.....a pound of bees wax however...
You should repost this is the Bullet Making forum, the response will be much better than my feeble attempt
 
Powder coating your own cast bullets means no messy, sticky lube. PC makes your bullets slick with considerable less barrel friction than plated ones. Another major benefit is that the bullet base vaporizes no lead when fired as the PC on the base is tough.

Pass a copper cleaning brush through the barrel after a range visit and you will not believe how easy it cleans up.
 
Bought x-metal coated .45 acp for reloading. Shot fine, and were not dirty, but coating was softer than copper, and some sheared off the bullet when being seated, causing jams in a pistol that eats everything; first jams, and none since. They also stank. First and last for powder coat for me.
 
Are you referring to X-Metal or true powder coated? I only ask because you say you've used FMJ and plated so I'm not sure if you're coating your own or buying coated. X-Metal are not powder coated per-say as they use a special coating (hi-tek or something?) with a lot of additives meant specifically for bullets. True powder coated bullets using retail powder-paint are far more rare in my experience unless you coat your own.

If we're just talking about X-Metal I can say your barrel will be cleaner, your velocity will be higher, and your eyes will be tearing up from all the smoke. It's mostly a non-issue outdoors but at indoor ranges the smoke can approach comical levels. When attending indoor IPSC matches everyone can tell instantly if someone is using X-Metal bullets by the volume of smoke. I haven't seen enough powder-paint coated bullets indoors to say whether they're any better or worse.

With any coated bullets (powder-paint or hi-tek) you may find you need to increase the case-mouth flare a bit to prevent shaving. The same amount of flare I use for Campro plated bullets is insufficient for coated bullets of any flavour and I find little shavings of coating and lead in my press. This causes a lot of flyers and erratic accuracy in my experience.
 
Meroh said:
Bought x-metal coated .45 acp for reloading. Shot fine, and were not dirty, but coating was softer than copper, and some sheared off the bullet when being seated, causing jams in a pistol that eats everything; first jams, and none since. They also stank. First and last for powder coat for me.
Click to expand...

X metal are coated with hytec not powder coating. It’s polymer so of coarse it’s softer then copper.
Lead bullets are also larger then copper jacket
 
I have shot .357 pc lead bullets at 1500 fps (so sez the reload manual) No leading ever these are cast by me. Yes you have to increase the flare for inserting the bullet into the case. The press stroke feels weird, lead pull is hard all the way, pc just kinda slips in. Have cast and pc for .45auto .45colt 9mm all work great.
 
hi cant comment on pwder coating itself but i use those coated bullets, the aussie company called it 'hitek' coating i think??? hawksbury river was the company.


no signs of it in my rifling, 1800 fps or so
 
I’ve had my coated bullets to 1700gps in my 30-30 and I am using a soft mix of 3 pounds pure to one pound ww. Zero lead or coating in the barrel. Bullet size of more important then hardness
 
I use X-Metals pistol bullets, the coated ones. They work well, reduced leading without the need for lube. In most instances there is no leading, fouling is limited to powder residue and a slight amount of coating. I did some testing and noticed a hint of color in the residue when I brushed the bore. For all intent and purpose, it could probably be considered an insignificant amount.

I don't have any comparison testing with plated bullets as copper plated bullets are not allowed for CAS.

X-metals have several coated bullets for 9mm, I'd give them a try if I were you.

DHjkin2.jpg
 
Can anyone else comment on smoke with the x-metal coated bullets? One person has mentioned copious amounts of smoke... Has anyone else experienced this?
 
Heres some short info on the Hawksbury "Hy Tek" coating........................... these bullet s i use in "copperhawk" an i love them... hard as a rock lol/

Hawkesbury River Bullet Company (HRBC) is one of the oldest and most respected hard cast projectile manufacturer in Australia. Available in the following types:

Blackhawkes: The original and known proven formula of the HY-TEK SUPERCOAT coating system.
Copperhawkes: A special HY TEK super slippery performance coating aimed at the extreme high velocity of over 2200 fps.
Silverhawkes: The Nostalgic "Western Action' coating, giving all the properties of the BlackHawkes coating, with the visual aspect of yester year. This clear coating lubrication eliminates the OHS and handling issues of raw alloy.


Edit post to Say--- Since the new Owners im not 100% sure if they still coat their bullets at this point in time................ because of this
Product List
HRBC offers a high performance dry lubrication on all of our projectiles.

Only Certified “Virgin Bullet Alloy” not recycled, is used in the production process of HRBC projectles, giving pistol calibers a rated hardness of #7 Saeco scale or #16 Brinell Hardness Scale. The product tables are for standard sizes, but are able to provide you something customised to your individual needs so give us a call or send an email to see what we can do for you.



However, it looks like that "High Tech" coating stuff would be from America? or certainly available to DIY bullet makers!?

his thread makes me wish i purchased 1000 more of these .375 bullets! the price is too good not to use even on big game, off topic i know but hornady jacketed V hr Cast......... barely comparrison down under.
 
I've used 9mm and 357 Maximum powder coated lead projectiles. The 357 max was loaded to 2100 fps. No fouling at all.
The advantage of PC is using cheap lead cast bullets without having to lube them for shooting and cleaning and deleading the barrel after shooting. Much cheaper than plated projectiles.
 
hometownhero said:
X metal are coated with hytec not powder coating. It’s polymer so of coarse it’s softer then copper.
Lead bullets are also larger then copper jacket
Click to expand...
So is powder coat. Hy-tec is dissolved in acetone, dried, then baked to bond it together and bond it to the lead; powder is deposited either in a solvent carrier or electrostaticaly; then baked to bond it together and bond it to the lead. Same stuff, different deposition process.

Same Schmidt, different Schmidt-haus.
 
LUTNIT said:
Are you referring to X-Metal or true powder coated? I only ask because you say you've used FMJ and plated so I'm not sure if you're coating your own or buying coated. X-Metal are not powder coated per-say as they use a special coating (hi-tek or something?) with a lot of additives meant specifically for bullets. True powder coated bullets using retail powder-paint are far more rare in my experience unless you coat your own.

If we're just talking about X-Metal I can say your barrel will be cleaner, your velocity will be higher, and your eyes will be tearing up from all the smoke. It's mostly a non-issue outdoors but at indoor ranges the smoke can approach comical levels. When attending indoor IPSC matches everyone can tell instantly if someone is using X-Metal bullets by the volume of smoke. I haven't seen enough powder-paint coated bullets indoors to say whether they're any better or worse.

With any coated bullets (powder-paint or hi-tek) you may find you need to increase the case-mouth flare a bit to prevent shaving. The same amount of flare I use for Campro plated bullets is insufficient for coated bullets of any flavour and I find little shavings of coating and lead in my press. This causes a lot of flyers and erratic accuracy in my experience.
Click to expand...

Factory coated cast lead. Not more smoke than uncoated (indoor range) but more stink.
 
I cast and powder coat my own bullets in 9mm, 10mm and 45. I wish that I had started with powder coat 15 years ago. lead level in my blood was getting a little high with lubed bullets, and my lead levels are coming down with powder coat. this is the greatest benefit. I agree with all the other benefits noted in the comments above. I cannot think of a single negative issue with powder coat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom