Where do I go from here? PC and no "workee"

Ian

Notorious member
Exactly, I'd recommend .010" next because if you give matching tapers too much of a running start, they have that much more room to get really crooked. Another slight powder increase might be worth a try, too, in hopes of closing up the vertical or at least seeing if the vertical is powder-related, or something else.

When Fiver gives advice, there's always a good reason. We regularly see the need for about 5% more powder for same velocity when adding powder coat. 5% was a best guess to put your load back on the same accuracy node you had worked out with the uncoated bullets; the balance of the accuracy workup amounting to bullet fit, case prep, alloy, etc. I think you may need just a touch more powder yet, and one more thing......a neck tension check: Pay close attentoon to how the press handle feels when seating the bullets and sort into piles the ones that feel light or heavy. You saw how much your groups changed by changing seating depth just a little. Well, when you introduce bullet jump, suddenly neck tension begins to matter, particularly the consistency of it from one cartridge to the next but also the amount. Add powder coating and neck tension suddenly matters even more because the slippery coating affects engraving resistance and thus powder burn consistency...and groups.

Now that you've made some changes and noted the effects, is what we've said starting to make sense?
 
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RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Now that you've made some changes and noted the effects, is what we've said starting to make sense?
Yes it does, and working on how to present the material in an article to maybe encourage others try PC. There is a lot more potential that I would have thought three years ago.

Some of the vertical is me; shooting under blowing clouds changes the light on the front sight when you look through the peep and causes elevation issues for me.


I have 16 bullets left that were PC'ed after the gas checks applied. That will be in the end for me, but it has been interesting.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Learning a lot about seating powder coat bullets here! Funny I thought with PC there were not as much variables as with Traditional Lube. I'm starting to find out it is close to 50/ 50!b Outside of the occasional fliers and First shot placement PC has as much issues!
With low velocity shooting, as I do, it still seems superior but move the speed up a bit and it is no different then the tradition lube methods!
 

Ian

Notorious member
When I began to think of powder coating less as a lube replacement and more as a slippery, tough, but very thin jacket, it was easier to visualize the dynamics of the system and how to start optimizing the usual variables to get more out of it. We have barely scratched the surface, (pun intended) of this coating thing.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Ian, I agree with you completely. It is as significant as the copper plating on bullets that CCI did in the 1980's in the industrial setting. I foresee that the home bullet maker can make a soft point bullet with a cast pure lead core, coat with a chemical jacket at home, and make a useable bullet for 3000 f/s. We are just at the beginning of the journey. However, don't except any help from the bullet makers, as home makers will be taking money right out of their pocket.
 

popper

Well-Known Member
JWF - yes, seating care is very important with PC - it's not copper. I got a (my version) of a RD style for 30/30. Jams the lands, so I used a washer to put a small ledge on the nose. It's not a bore rider but groups got 50% smaller. Nose centers in the bore. Working with the same mould in 10" BO pistol, seems to be OK if I can learn to shoot that thing - no brace, just the tube. POI for jacketed and cast are way different (& change with the loading), while groups are about the same. As for PC fouling in the bore - yes it is there. It doesn't seem to affect anything at the shorter ranges. My hits on steel @ 200 were after buddy shot 8-9 to get range as he's never shot an AR10 before. Barrel hadn't been cleaned for a while. Bama shoots hotter and farther than me so residue may be a factor at longer range. I haven't found it to affect pistol at all, even when it's really dirty. I cleaned the 24" upper last week, trying to get a few$ for it - back is going out and it's too heavy - guess it goes to the SIL in a few years. Off the subject but put 10 22lr through a mini this week. Surprised how accurate it is IF yo can hang on to it. Got some friends that do wordworking to make a longer grip. Won't knock anybody down but a decent pocket gun. 4 rnds and carry on empty - not comfortable when loading and getting into the 'safety' slot. Bad guy isn't smart enough to know he'll be at the hospital after a SD incident - he'll have to stand trial minimum. Bond in 38/357 is as heavy as 9mm SA.
 
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