Powder coating

[hobbesy]

Does anyone know where to get powder coat (in the UK) from and if it's even worth the hassle of powder coating home made cast bullets?

Thanks

[dromia]

I never found a Good UK supplier when I was playing with powder coating, so I got mine shipped from the US, a brand that was known to work with cast bullets.

I wasn't convinced by it, I found it messy the powder going all over the place and the process was actually longer than tumble lubing, there is also the spray/electro static methods which just require more kit.

At the end of the day performance wise it was no better perhaps a bit worse than tumble lubing with Xlox or my favourite 45-45-10 and more of a chew on, unless you are desperate for lipstick red bullets then it is not worth the faff from my experience and gives no performance benefits to justify the extra work.

[phaedra1106]

As above really, I looked into it last year and was going to bring back several pounds of various colours from the USA.

At the end of the day it appears that there's no real advantage in doing it, so I just stick with standard lubed bullets or tumble un-lubed in a few drops of Lee Liquid Alox.

[TattooedGun]

Surely getting in touch with local guys who actually do powder coating for the powder would be beneficial as opposed to trying directly with the suppliers?

[hobbesy]

Sounds like not a lot of point, I'll stick with the old alox and plastic tub method, thanks again.

[dromia]

The trick with Xlox and 45-45-10 is to use it thin, I cut it at least 50/50 with white spirits.

There should just be a light golden hue of "colour", 45-45-10 will be slightly darker, on the bullet after the coating has dried, with Xlox and 45-45-10 less is more.

This way it dries quickly, isn't tacky, doesn't smoke when fired and works better. So long as you have good bullet fit, soft alloy and velocity doesn't exceed limitations of the coating. I can good results up to nearly 1800 fps with 45-45-10, 1500-1600fps with properly applied Xlox.

[dromia]

Upon further reflection powder coating could have role in cast bullets that would be used through a moderator, powder coating would reduce if not eliminate lead build up on the baffles and can, also usually being sub sonic the coating wouldn't be taxed too much so as to effect accuracy.

Other than that specific application I cannot see any benefit in using it.

[Gazza]

A search for "lead coating" on evilbay will bring up loads of choices.
I used to coat my fishing leads with the stuff from evilbay