Smoke's Clear and translucent copper

Rockydoc

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
I cast some bullets 2 days ago, sized and gas checked yesterday and powder coated them today.
The mold is NEI 308 173GC, cast of range scrap which usually has a BHN of 10 with LBT tester.

The bullets were sized to .308 before coating and measured .311 for the Clear and .3115 for the Translucent Copper after coating.

The bullet in the middle is as cast. It appears that these soft bullets got a little dingged up in the Shake, Dump, Bake process. It looks like the one on the right also got bent in the gas checking/sizing as well.

They were sized and gas checked in the Lyman 450 with .308 H die.

IMG_0219.jpegIMG_0219.jpeg
 
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CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
When you are agitating to apply the coating. Do more "swirling" then shaking. You need to make contact to create static. Shaking dents the bullets. ;)

CW
 
Rockydoc

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
Kevin Stenberg said:
Rockydoc Are you using a very soft alloy? I don't think my bullets have come out that dinged up before.
Click to expand...
Yes, outdoor range scrap which is usually BHN 10 when age hardened. This was 2 days after casting, so yes soft. I was probably too aggressive with my shaking as well.
 
Rockydoc

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
Ian said:
Try:

Shake with airsoft BBs.

Use a Push-through die for pre-sizing.
Click to expand...
Are you saying that the BBS cushion the bullets? I had no problem with coverage static wise. I don’t have a push through sizing die at the moment. Bushings on order from NOE.
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Your gonna like them!!

Be sure to always use just a wee bit of lube on first few. Seems to always help me. I simply use the imperial or unique on my fingers for the first few then the rest run right thru. I first thought there was a coating from factory. But last couple i gave a good washing and they atill where very tough for first sizing. But with a very light coat of lube zero issues. Generally Ill be sizing down .003-.007.

CW
 
D

DHD

Active Member
When I cast with 20/1 alloy (or any pure lead/tin) my bullets come out looking like little mirrors. After coating in clear they no longer look so perfect, but they don't have any dents. I started with BB's and will continue to to use them as I'm set up to use them. Can't say whether they cushion the bullets or not, but like I already mentioned I never have gotten any dents and I get pretty aggressive on swirling and shaking. FWIW, I only shake right before I dump the container on my cooling rack for separation.
 
Reloader762

Reloader762

Active Member
I like Smokes Clear and Transparent Copper and use them a lot. They are probably two of the easiest powders to coat with and give excellent results with no fuss.

Accurate 215 gr. FN for the M91/30
6aws8XO.jpg


30 XCB ready to gas check and size for the 30-06.
Ou7wSoe.jpg
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
Rockydoc said:
Are you saying that the BBS cushion the bullets? I had no problem with coverage static wise. Yes, cushion your soft bullets and reduce the mangling considerably. Reloader762 also discovered that cheap, plastic "pony beads" from azon or craft store work as well or better. I don’t have a push through sizing die at the moment. Bushings on order from NOE. I don't know much about the NOE sizing dies. Most anything that fits a Lyman 450 is subject to bent bullet syndrome. The press-mounted push-through system is generally superior for keeping bullets true while sizing.
Click to expand...

These are around 10.5 bhn and were shaken aggressively for about two minutes with a two-BB-deep layer in a plastic sandwich container.
20200613_215344.jpg
 
Rockydoc

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
The NOE SIZING system is a press mounted push through. Instead of buying a whole new die for a different diameter, you buy bushings of different diameter for $9.50 . Bushings are available for nose only sizing with the same die set, you just basically turn the die upside down and change some of the internal parts. I haven’t done any nose sizing but it looks like it should work Ok.
 
L

Les Staley

New Member
Rocky doc, so you know the basics of nose sizeing with the NOE push thru press mounted die? I am hearing impaired and have watched the tutorial video on my I pad two or more times and it isn't explained very well. Eager to learn this methods. Could you explain please? Thanks
 
Rockydoc

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
I have never nose sized bullets, I just noticed that it could be done with the NOE bullet sizing system.
I will try to answer your question by quoting the instructions I printed from the NOE website.

"Set up to nose size only:
Install everything like you would to nose first size. Except use a "N" series bushing.
(there is then a photo of this setup)
Remove the spacer sleeve(B)
(another photo)
Set up the Nose size top punch holder (C) with a RCBC/Lyman type top punch for the bullet you are going to size.
(Another photo)
Use the Nose size top punch holder (C) to push the bullet back out of the die. It may require a tap with a mallet to get a snug bullet out.
(Another photo)

These instructions with photos are available at www.noebulletmoulds.com
Good luck. Let us know how you do with this.
 
L

Les Staley

New Member
Rocky doc, thanks for pointing that instruction out. I'll sure try it. I'm shooting 30-30 Lee 170 fp powder coated, and after sizing to 309 -310 the nose needs slimming down to chamber. I'll let you know how it works out.
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Les. You also may find a different or additional method to your powder coating helps ya.

More agitation has helped me Immensely. Helps with dia in nose and for gas check.


CW
 
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