Question on PC coating

[JWFilips]

Hi Folks ,
Last night I was sizing some PC coated bullets for my worn out 7 mm 1916 Spanish Mauser ( now actually 7.5 mm at the breech).
Been working on my technique from most of what I learned here ( and some over there) Never really saw much detail in the photos of the coatings on line but looking at my tray of unsized bullets last night I saw a chance for a detailed close up of my coating ( close up it ain't pretty ) Just was wondering it this is the way it is supposed to look? From non detailed photos, PC bullets look pretty smooth but I was wondering if magnified they really should look similar to this?
I'm using the swirl & shake with air soft bbs ( I know I don't have enough of them in my container) & Smoke's gray powder
Also These bullets are from a 285-130 lee mould that has been honed out to .297" ( now 136 gr) and plain based
Any observation or suggestions appreciated!
Jim

 

[Gary]

They actually look pretty good to me Jim. Just to refresh my memory Jim, do you shake and bake or spray?

 

[Todd M]

I'm no expert but the ones that I have done, have never been smoother than yours; and some a lot more lumpy! I shake and bake also. Have never had a problem with shooting them.

 

[fiver]

you got plenty on them.

if your looking for better, let's focus on the base and the corners some.

 

[JWFilips]

Yes the "base and corners"!
I'm hoping when I get more BBs to cover the bottom of my container it may help
Also, being freshly cast they are soft so that messes things up in the shaking!
I do get an excess on the bases that is why
I try to size base first after baking. I only shoot low speed but I know I'm having trailing edge failure I'm sure

 

[Gary]

Jim, I size all my PC'd bullets nose first and haven't had any problem with base and corner problems.

 

[Ian]

I see some bad base dings, but the coating looks quite good to me.

I typically size immediately after casting and then again after coating to promote even material thickness-depth on the driving surfaces. I don't really know how much that matters. I also pre-size bullets when I need to make room for the coating thickness. Shake/bake roughens the polished, sized surfaces up again so there's no adhesion problems. Not sure how well that would work if spraying.

 

[popper]

Coating looks a little thick. Also looks like some of the castings are a little off on the bases to begin with. I'll post pic of my ASBBDT Smoke's red 145gr PB for comparison when email gets here. Not a great closeup - holding Ipad & magnifier in front of the lens. I'll try again.
edit: 175gr ASBBT, single coat - drive bands sized but nose isn't. Found a better mag. glass. Your lumpy ones should do OK at low fps.

 

[JWFilips]

Ian, I too have been sizing twice Once before coating the after coating. I thought that best to get the size correct

 

[358156 hp]

What are you using for a bullet sizing lube? I tried liquid soaps, and they didn't work as well as I had hoped. I tried waxes, and they were a total pain to remove before coating. Even lacquer thinner didn't impress it much. Denatured alcohol even less so.

 

[Gary]

I DON'T use any lube prior to sizing the as cast bullet(s), never needed to because they apparently cast to or a little bigger as advertised. Once PC'd, they ARE lubed and pass through the sizer without any problem.

 

[JWFilips]

I do not use any lube for sizing Plain or PC coated and I actually wash all my uncoated sized bullets in Denatured alcohol and dry befor coating with PC!

 

[Gary]

Most everything I have PC'd in the past has been pistol fodder, however, I have cast and PC'd for the 300 BO and 44-40 rifles. Going to start other 30 cal this Spring. Jim, I don't even bother with the alcohol spritz any more, I just apply a light coat of PC and then a second light coat for excellent coverage.

 

[JWFilips]

Gary, How do you figure a light coat? When I shake and bake I think they come out as heavy as I want....not sure If I know how to control the cotating?

 

[Ian]

I think they're fine, Jim, it's the super-close-up that makes it look really thick. My method adds 2-3 thousandths to the total bullet diameter.

 

[Gary]

I only shake for 15 ~20 seconds which for me gives a very light coating. When baked they sometimes look splotchy but the second light coat makes them turn out great + the powder really sticks good the second time around. Adds ~ 1 to 2 thou after two coats which doesn't mean a whole lot cause I resize to fit my guns. As Ian said; they look fine to me as well.

 

[waco]

I only shake for 15 ~20 seconds which for me gives a very light coating. When baked they sometimes look splotchy but the second light coat makes them turn out great + the powder really sticks good the second time around. Adds ~ 1 to 2 thou after two coats which doesn't mean a whole lot cause I resize to fit my guns. As Ian said; they look fine to me as well.

I have never tried the two coat method. I'll give that a try next time.

 

[M3845708Bama]

Just need to be loaded and shot, they should work fine, your barrel and the target will tell the real story— — pretty is as pretty does!

 

[358156 hp]

I DON'T use any lube prior to sizing the as cast bullet(s), never needed to because they apparently cast to or a little bigger as advertised. Once PC'd, they ARE lubed and pass through the sizer without any problem.

I've had LEE sizing dies "lead" with unlubricated bullets. Some of my Star dies will stick longer, heavy bullets if not lubricated, a lot depends on the alloy, and the "as cast" bullet diameter. I'd prefer something water soluble. Maybe I'll try the LEE white paste case lube next.

 

[Brad]

I too have head Lee push thru type sizers lead with unlubed bullets.