Powder coating cast bullets.

[meles meles]

ps, We do agree with you about the fragmentation and hydrocarbon malarkey. Where are the hydrocarbons meant to come from? The lube?

[dromia]

Aye the 6.5 Swedish with its fast twist rifling and long bullets needs a different cast bullet approach from most other calibres.

Sometimes you get rough barrels that just beget fouling be it lead, copper or a coating.

I find adding copper to my alloy helps with such bores.

[markie]

I bought the gun from Elecctrostatic magic, as I didn't like the "Tumble them in an ice cream" tub method. The latter usually takes 2 coats. I've had some great results although it meand sizing twice. I'm still experimenting but I definately think the gun is wirthwhile.

[FredB]

Starting with pistols. I have been loading cast bullets. like Dromia, for 50 plus years. Leading is caused by hard, undersized bullets which do not expand on firing and allow the flame front to melt the edge of the bullet base. Professional casters use hard lead mixes because they look pretty, with good definition. There is nothing wrong with this, providing that the bullet is at least groove diameter. If it is not, then you will get leading.
\fred

[dromia]

I bought the gun from Elecctrostatic magic, as I didn't like the "Tumble them in an ice cream" tub method. The latter usually takes 2 coats. I've had some great results although it meand sizing twice. I'm still experimenting but I definately think the gun is wirthwhile.

So what cast bullet problem were you seeking to solve with this "process"?

[markie]

I wasn't actually trying to solve anything. I shot many thousands of cast bullets back in the 80s. Having been away from the sport for 30 years all my gear had gone and I was starting again. I used to use a Saeco lube sizer, but as I said that's long gone.

I came across the process of powder coating so decided to go that route, particularly since lube sizers seem to have gone up considerably in price. From my research it does allow higher velocities and they say it doesn't lead the barrel.......... although I never experienced leading in the past. A powder coating gun has other uses as well, hence my decision.

Plus bullets in Nato green and bright red look really cool.

[dromia]

I wasn't actually trying to solve anything. I shot many thousands of cast bullets back in the 80s. Having been away from the sport for 30 years all my gear had gone and I was starting again. I used to use a Saeco lube sizer, but as I said that's long gone.

I came across the process of powder coating so decided to go that route, particularly since lube sizers seem to have gone up considerably in price. From my research it does allow higher velocities and they say it doesn't lead the barrel.......... although I never experienced leading in the past. A powder coating gun has other uses as well, hence my decision.

Plus bullets in Nato green and bright red look really cool.

Uncoated lead bullets don't lead so no need for powder coating for that.

Never found coated bullets to go any faster than non powder coated cast bullets, I shoot some calibre at 2,800 fps with uncoated bullets, no leading and all the accuracy I desire. I couldn't get the powder coated ones to match that with any accuracy.

What other uses has a "powder coated gun"?

[markie]

A powder coating gun can be used to finish/re-finish any metal object. Powder coat is much harder wearing that aerosol paint and doesn't need priming, although an epoxy polyester primer will extend the life even further. I frequently use powder coat for finishing perforated steel grills on the front of loudspeakers, but it can be used for anything metal.

[dromia]

Sorry I thought you were referring to a powder coating firearm.

[markie]

You're not the first to be confused. Before I left Parker Hale (1980) Roger Hale bought a large quantity of guns from the RUC. They came in 10 of the biggest, strongest cardblard boxed I have ever seen. There was everything from a plank with a steel pipe jubilee clipped to it, to several artillery Lugers, broomhandler Mausers and everything in between. I had the job of cataloguing the whole lot.

They had all been either confiscated, or handed in during the various amnesties. Eack had a tie on label attached with the curcumstances, date etc.

I kid you not, there was one which had been surrendered by Paddy Murphy and it was a HVLP alloy sprayGUN.