My powder coating method

[Ian]

Just roll them on a flat surface and look at them on edge.

 

[popper]

You will find that often the 'slump' actually changes the surface to be very weak. I did some base down on hot plate, base gets pits and rough.

 

[shuz]

I didn't think the bullets slumped, because I rolled a few and they seemed OK. I guess I was wrong based on the performance on the targets!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Silicone baking sheets work super well also! (For those who stand up there PC boolits.



CW

 

[Spindrift]

I have a teflon-coated fibreglass mesh that I use a lot. Found it in the barbecue-section of a convenience store. Bullets don’t stick at all, and powder flow during baking (on the surface facing down) is better than standing the bullets on silicone sheets.

In the photo, you see the base of two PB bullets, baked on the respective surfaces. The bullet baked on the mesh has a thicker, more even layer. (You can also see I cut the sprue too early). I don’t know if it matters, probably not. Obviously not with GC bullets.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I started PC with non stick foil. It worked but wasnt completely non stick... Took the plunge to baskets. Found that some POWDERS where 100% non stick WHILE OTHERS left ya with a "block o boolits". Its a learnin curve no doubt!!
Ill stand my bullets if the profile allows and if I "need" a perfect finish. I highlight need cause its mostly all ascetics. It really dosent make a difference I have seen. Speaking to lil holidays, voids or bare spots. If they run the whole side sure now your finding possible issues with lead contact to barrel and possible
Leading.

Ill look for that mat next time im in a store. But This matte is new to me and its unbelievably slick. Almost water on ice. $ 7/8$ for two very large sheets.

Its a tool ya pull out once in a while when ya wanna make your very best.

CW

 

[Rick H]

I mostly stand them up when I bake. Tried "non-stick Aluminum foil" and found it to be anything but no matter what side of the foil was up (don't ask).
Parchment paper works good and I get 20 or more batches on a piece of paper and when it gets used up, sneak another piece from the wife's stash in the Kitchen.
Think I will be using the basket method for pistol bullets from now on.

 

[Gary]

And then there's this:

I'm going to give it a try.

 

[waco]

Look at how much bare lead runs down a barrel with a bullet that only has lube in the groove. We can do that and get zero leading right?
A few little bare spots here and there from dumping into a basket is nothing to worry about IMO.

 

[Glaciers]

Gary what is the lube being used? Is it a water base lube?

 

[Gary]

Not sure John, he refers to it as a silicone based powder, I think. Not going to try and find or use it, should work similar to HiTek.

 

[waco]

I spray a bit of homemade case lube to assist sizing. Lanolin/alcohol.

 

[Joshua]

Look at how much bare lead runs down a barrel with a bullet that only has lube in the groove. We can do that and get zero leading right?
A few little bare spots here and there from dumping into a basket is nothing to worry about IMO.

Waco,

I saw your 500 yard, 308, YouTube Video. Were the bullets that you shot in that video stood up or baked in a basket?

 

[waco]

Waco,

I saw your 500 yard, 308, YouTube Video. Where the bullets that you shot in that video stood up or baked in a basket?

Sized to .311” in my Lyman 450 with 2500+ lube. No powder coat.

 

[Joshua]

Have you tried that bullet, powder coated, at that distance? Are they more or less accurate, than the ones lubed with 2500+?
Josh

 

[waco]

Have you tried that bullet, powder coated, at that distance? Are they more or less accurate, than the ones lubed with 2500+?
Josh

Yes. For me, the pc was less accurate. I only tried it once though. The alloy I was using isn’t very pc compatible. Very high Sn and Sb content. Doesn’t want to stick. It’s a 90/6/4 alloy water dropped with a bhn of around 18

 

[Ian]

I too have found PC to be slightly less accurate compared to conventionally-lubed bullets, but have also found that acceptable hunting accuracy, no lube-related or temperature-related flyers, no special loading procedures, no fouling shots, and accuracy holding to the pressure limits of the cartridge to be advantages far outweighing the slight difference in accuracy potential.

I'm sure someday we'll get to the bottom of the reason why PC just doesn't quite want to clump as tight as is possible to achieve with lubed cast, but I lost interest in match-winning accuracy pursuits with PC after getting such good results so easily in every gun for which I've worked loads.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Agreed. The biggest "tell" for me is that PC has not seen wide spread acceptance. The plinkers, casual shooters and action/speed shooters love it but precision guys and purists dont. I have seen some Bullseye guys shooting PC. (Self included)
But There will always be those that stick to the tried n true and resist change. But the precision guys, the guys who strive for the finest In everything, have t gone to PC from Lubed bullets. So if PC was all that, they would use it. Rest assured they have tried.

BUT and its a big but, Its more than accurate enough for a plinker, pin/ plate shooter and 3Gun shooter. I feel its good enough for Bullseye as I have regestered scores just as high as any I shot with lubed bullets. Its good enough for 99% anyone would want from a cast hunting bullet too.

Try it for you, In your gun and see!! I have tested bullets cast days ago against same lot allowed to season weeks. I have tested GC against same bullet WO/ a gc. Some things are simply best learned yourself. And its fun cause its shooting and we all love that! If it aint as good, decide your application. IMHO its positives are far and away more valueable
Then it's minuscule(in my scope of shooting) negatives. But as always, your needs and results could vary.

CW