The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Hi ovenpaa,
My powder coating system is as simple as I could make it. Using an Aldi compressor and an PTFE electrostatic charging nozzle on my spray gun I avoided the expense of a high voltage charging device. The powder coats the bullets well, so the friction-charging process is pretty efficient.
I stand 100 freshly cast bullets in a tray lined with kitchen foil and usually spray four trays at a time. My homemade spray cabinet catches the unused powder which can be reused. I then bake the trays at 200°C for 20 minutes.
When cool, I snap the bullets off the foil and size them using a Lee push-through sizing die and Bob's your uncle. Comparing the time taken with casting/lubing, it's quicker to powder coat. Since I coat 400 at a time (2-3mins) and size quickly on a single stage press (2mins per 100), it's pretty quick. They can be stored loose in tubs, whereas my lubed bullets must be stored upright in trays, because I use a soft homemade lube.
I've made about 10,000 bullets this way (mainly 158 to 185gn 38/357s) and they work very nicely. There's no residue in the bore other than Titegroup powder residue.
At the 2016 Derby Open, I scored 12 Xs at the 25m, 2min practice of the T&P1 match with bright red powder coated bullets.
I hope this helps.

g-p-c I would be interested to read an article with some pictures on the process if you get a spare moment. We shoot a fair amount of cast bullets and although I doubt we will ever move to powder coated I am still intrigued by the process.

Thanks Ovenpaa,

I will get round to taking photos of the whole powder coating process in the next couple of weeks.
I have found I still need to use my Lyman Luber-sizer to seat the gas checks on 30 calibre bullets to ensure accurate placement. I've tried the Lee push through die, but alignment isn't as precise.
I always stick to cast bullet loading data of course. Despite being a polymer 'jacket', the coating doesn't impart greater strength to the bullets, so the RPM limits and sub 2,200fps rules still apply.
I'll post the details when I get the chance (our two grandchildren (1 and 2yrs) both live within two miles, so are an enjoyable distraction!).

Alpha1 wrote:

g-p-c wrote:I have used a 30cal 160gn RCBS gas check, flat point mould for over 25 years with good success using Unique and 2400 powders. The economy of cast bullet reloading in 308 is a good bonus to the fun of experimenting. The item whose cost stands out, though, is shop-bought gas checks! They're dearer than primers, and there's much less involved in their manufacture.

Does anyone have experience of FreeChex or Pat Marlin's Checkmaker gas check making tools?

Hi g-p-c I am not familiar with FreeChex or Pat Marlin's Checkmaker gas check making tools? sounds interesting they should not be to difficult to make. I have never thought about making my own may be some thing I should look at.
I have been shooting the rifle with cast I just stopped posting about it on the forum as there does not seem to be any interest.
The tools I ordered arrived so I was able to make progress on the gun smithing front well sort of. One thing I did over look the rifle is actually chambered for 7.62 not .308 so I had to have a rethink about chamber dimensions cartridge re loading etc. I fitted a proper Mauser scope rail and mounted a scope. I got the idea of making a jig to fit it of another forum member. I have sourced a Mauser stock to replace the heavy target rifle stock it came in. Its a on going project some thing to keep me occupied during the winter months probably. In the mean time I will just shoot it.
Now summer is here I have other toys to occupy me. Im currently re building a lathe my priority is to get that up and running before I get involved in anything else gun related.

What rifle are you shooting .308 in by the way.

Im ready to get involved with any thing gun related again. The lathe rebuild is complete and I'm over the moon at the result I now have two fully functioning lathes. A Myford and a Chinese jobby fitted with a new motor an inverter and speed control control unit that works a treat.
hmm whats next.