Is there a built in speed limit with powder coating?

saskgunowner101

saskgunowner101

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Just wondering what the collective experience here is with powder coated cast bullets and higher velocities. Is there a point where a PC bullet will start leading? Accuracy goes to pot? Bad voodoo stuff that I can't possibly imagine happens?

The reason I ask, is usually I shoot PC bullets at moderate speeds, probably 1,800 fps or less and absolutely love them, but have no clue what happens when you really step on the gas. I'll assume gas check designs fare better at high speeds, but what about powder coated flat or bevel base bullets without a gas check? Any thoughts, experiences or opinions appreciated.
 
I am patiently waiting to hear chronograph and accuracy results myself!
I have been told they can go well past 2,000FPS, especially with harder lead alloys, but I have no first hand experience as all my higher velocity rounds were still just under 2,000 with my powder coated 9.3X72R rounds.
Cat
 
Pre covid, I posted here about how some of my ugly blotchy bullets were shooting well.
I was getting 2440 f/s out of a .30/30 with good accuracy.

Pre turn of the century, I was getting a whisker under 3000 f/s in a .243 with greaser bullets.
It was just a few shots and things were kept very cool.. There was no leading, but the bullets went all over the map, with none touching the target.
An exercise in futility.
 
I use GC shanked slugs like BT's no gc and just PC. The PC takes care of the leading issue and I have seen no accuracy betterment when using GC over plain base when PCing so checks have become redundant for me.
 
In the second edition of the Lee reloading manual, Richard Lee wrote a very interesting article regarding pressure and the strength of the bullet and it's ability to resist deformation. It's a simple concept, but I've forgotten the details over the years. I was introduced to powder coating by Old Rodder, and it became less important to me since powder coating serves me very well in the more modest loads that I use.
 
PPCLI-Jim said:
After seeing a bunch of YT videos, I'm seeing a max speed of 2100ish FPS for cast coated or GC'd .223 Rem. I do have the Lyman cast loading book and if you need some specific info for a caliber / weight, DM me and I'll send a scan of the stuff your looking for.
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I have been powder coating for over ten years. From 37 grain 0.225" in 22 hornet and 223 to 45/70 and many calibers in between.
The speed limit depends on the alloy used when the bullet is cast. Harder bullets give higher velocities in rifles.
in general i have found that with linotype or lyman number 2 alloy, the speed limit in 30 caliber bullets using alox lubrication is 1700 to 2100 fps before accuracy falls off or the bullet starts to leave lead.
With the same bullets that are powder coated I can get consistent accuracy at higher velocities and zero leading at higher velocities - With the alloy I use that is about 2300 fps - i haven't tried to push Powder coated bullets faster.
 
Ok I have pushed 303 to 1800fps.
308 to 2500 fps.
45/70 to 1800 fps.(hurts)
Some gas checked, but most not gas checked. I have a bore camera to see if anything is left behind.
Work your way up till there is pressure signs or a stiff bolt. I have pc'd 7000 bullets. Mostly 9mm, 45acp and 45/70.
 
I powdercoated and gas checked for 223,(55gr) seemed to work okay. I dont have a chrony but it was about 3/4 of the way to max loading with blc2
 
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