I have been going through a trial and error process after doing lots of reading about powder coating lead cast bullets. I started down this road a few months back when I decided to give bullet casting a try. I saw the cost per round would drop to around .06 for 9mm which was very appealing to me. At first I tried the tumble lube method but was way too smoky for my liking, I shoot lots indoors. After looking at some options I decided to try powder coating as an option. This took a bit of trial and error to perfect but here is my story.
First you will need a few things, I will explain the usage as I go through the tutorial.
- either precasted bullets or casting equipment to make your own, this is what I do and have great success with Lyman molds but that is another story
- small bucket to use to apply powder coat, I use a Remington bucket of bullets tub but any that size will work. It is important to keep it fairly small diameter though
- wire mesh, this is to lay the bullets on to air dry prior to baking
- oven, I use a $30 Walmart toaster oven but anything capable of 425f will work
- trays for bullets to sit on in oven, I made mine out of aluminum but there are many options here, just has to be non-stick
- bullet sizing die and press, I use a Lee setup but this step is very important
- powder of course, I get mine from Powder365(cdn company) I have had the best success with high heat black flat for coat one and then a color glossy coat for 2nd
- acetone
Step one - add approx 1/2 ounce powder and 1 ounce acetone to bucket. Careful to keep this mix at 2 to 1 ratio and you don't need much. I do about 500 9mm with this amount. Add a hand full of bullets to powder mix and swirl around to mix, then add around 400_500 more. You need to start tumbling these around right away as the acetone will start to evaporate fast. Keep bullets moving till there is almost no liquid left. This is the most important step to get right and it will take some practice. Out too soon and it won't cover, leave it to long and it will start to clump up.
Step two - once bullets are coated to your satisfaction pour out on wire mesh immediately. Make sure they are kind of spread out a bit and do this fast, remember time is ticking as the acetone evaporates. I put a fan on them at this point to speed the initial dry, bit doesn't take more than 10 minutes or so without it.
Step three - wearing latex gloves put bullets onto trays for oven. They should be somewhat spread out and not on top of each other. I starting standing mine all on end in the beginning but it was just a waste of time as laying them down had no effect
Step four - cook in oven, I cook at 425 for 20 minutes but you may have to adjust this depending on the oven. If you cook too long it will deform the bullet, ask me how I know that.
Step 5 - remove bullets from oven and transfer to tray for cooling. I use a non stick cookie sheet. No picture but I am sure you get the idea
Step 6 - repeat steps 1-6 for a second coat, if bullets are slightly warm that is a good thing when you do coat 2. Too warm and the acetone evaporates way too fast.
Step 7 - after cooling overnight at the minimum, put the newly coated bullets through the sizing die. You may need a little lube depending on how oversized they are. I learned a couple lessons here. With the powdecoated cast bullets I needed to size them to .358 to work well in my Shadow and several other 9mm. My 38 revolvers get the same size and work well there as well. Too small(even 356) and the bullets have no accuracy and will tumble. Also try lighter loads than normal, I am down to 3 gn of Titegroup with the 130fn and works really well for accuracy and cycling.
The results
First you will need a few things, I will explain the usage as I go through the tutorial.
- either precasted bullets or casting equipment to make your own, this is what I do and have great success with Lyman molds but that is another story
- small bucket to use to apply powder coat, I use a Remington bucket of bullets tub but any that size will work. It is important to keep it fairly small diameter though
- wire mesh, this is to lay the bullets on to air dry prior to baking
- oven, I use a $30 Walmart toaster oven but anything capable of 425f will work
- trays for bullets to sit on in oven, I made mine out of aluminum but there are many options here, just has to be non-stick
- bullet sizing die and press, I use a Lee setup but this step is very important
- powder of course, I get mine from Powder365(cdn company) I have had the best success with high heat black flat for coat one and then a color glossy coat for 2nd
- acetone
Step one - add approx 1/2 ounce powder and 1 ounce acetone to bucket. Careful to keep this mix at 2 to 1 ratio and you don't need much. I do about 500 9mm with this amount. Add a hand full of bullets to powder mix and swirl around to mix, then add around 400_500 more. You need to start tumbling these around right away as the acetone will start to evaporate fast. Keep bullets moving till there is almost no liquid left. This is the most important step to get right and it will take some practice. Out too soon and it won't cover, leave it to long and it will start to clump up.
Step two - once bullets are coated to your satisfaction pour out on wire mesh immediately. Make sure they are kind of spread out a bit and do this fast, remember time is ticking as the acetone evaporates. I put a fan on them at this point to speed the initial dry, bit doesn't take more than 10 minutes or so without it.
Step three - wearing latex gloves put bullets onto trays for oven. They should be somewhat spread out and not on top of each other. I starting standing mine all on end in the beginning but it was just a waste of time as laying them down had no effect
Step four - cook in oven, I cook at 425 for 20 minutes but you may have to adjust this depending on the oven. If you cook too long it will deform the bullet, ask me how I know that.
Step 5 - remove bullets from oven and transfer to tray for cooling. I use a non stick cookie sheet. No picture but I am sure you get the idea
Step 6 - repeat steps 1-6 for a second coat, if bullets are slightly warm that is a good thing when you do coat 2. Too warm and the acetone evaporates way too fast.
Step 7 - after cooling overnight at the minimum, put the newly coated bullets through the sizing die. You may need a little lube depending on how oversized they are. I learned a couple lessons here. With the powdecoated cast bullets I needed to size them to .358 to work well in my Shadow and several other 9mm. My 38 revolvers get the same size and work well there as well. Too small(even 356) and the bullets have no accuracy and will tumble. Also try lighter loads than normal, I am down to 3 gn of Titegroup with the 130fn and works really well for accuracy and cycling.
The results
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