Powder coating cast lead bullets - anyone doing it?

[Jekemi]

I have purchased the components for powder coating cast lead bullets. I'm going to try the dry tumbling method first to see how it works but if I'm not happy with the results I'll pick up one of the cheap Harbor Freight electrostatic powder coating guns. The idea is that the powdered polymer sticks to the lead, especially if electrostatic powder coating is used and then melts to a shiny, smooth, brightly colored coating that, when cured is a very hard coating. Reloaders use a small convection toaster oven at 400 F for 20 minutes to bake the coating on. The big advantage is no leading in the barrel. Occasionally some of the powder coat comes off in the barrel but it is significantly easier to remove than lead. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone that has tried it to hear their experience.

[jasnt]

I do powder coat my cast bullets. I tried the tumble meathod and it didn't work very well for me I ended up going with the harbor freight powder coating kit. Their powder is cheap also and works well for me.

[theleo]

I haven't gotten into the powder coating game yet (I'm still just working on getting the basics of cast lead down) but it seems one major consideration to your success will be your location and weather. The dry tumble imparts such a very slight electrical charge that humidity is allowed to play havoc with how well the powder adheres to the bullet. Another forum I follow has a complete section dedicated to the topic of PC on cast bullets. Lots of info out there on it.   

[Yondering]

Don't know if I was the first to try it, but I was the first to document dry tumble powder coating a few years ago, and have been using it ever since. It works really well, if you use good powder.

Every powder works differently, even different colors in the same brand. For those who try dry tumbling and it doesn't work, try a different powder.

The most common mistake is using cheap Harbor Freight powder. That leads people trying to use air soft BBs, tumblers, and other doodads to make it work. Use a good powder, shake by hand in a recycleable yogurt tub, with clean bullets, and it will work great.

Another common mistake is trying to get a single heavy coat of powder. Two thin coats seem to work better, with more even coating and better results at the range.

[300rum]

The Hi-Tek bullet coating is far superior to powder coating.  I have shot these in the thousands without cleaning my bore.  I don't personally coat them myself, I buy them already coated.  I have experience watching people who have used the powder coating, done at home, and they have had terrible results with the coating chipping off, coating the barrel, key holing, and poor accuracy.  I was concerned that there was so much transfer in one pistol that the gun was going to over-pressure at some point trying to squeeze a bullet through the tube. 

http://www.bayoubullets.net/hi-tek-heat-set-super-coat-bullet-coating-call-donnie-at-225-324-4501/ 

Donnie is Jerry Michulek's brother (if you know who Jerry is).  His cajun accent is pretty thick but he can get you squared away. 

[Yondering]

The Hi-Tek bullet coating is far superior to powder coating.  I have shot these in the thousands without cleaning my bore.  I don't personally coat them myself, I buy them already coated.  I have experience watching people who have used the powder coating, done at home, and they have had terrible results with the coating chipping off, coating the barrel, key holing, and poor accuracy.  I was concerned that there was so much transfer in one pistol that the gun was going to over-pressure at some point trying to squeeze a bullet through the tube. 
 

You've said the same thing before, and we discussed it then. Powder coating done right performs just as well as Hi-Tek. Either one is a good option, but powder coating is easier to do at home, if you take the time to do it right. Just because some people can screw up installing a lightbulb is not an indication that powder coating doesn't work.

[jasnt]

The Hi-Tek bullet coating is far superior to powder coating.  I have shot these in the thousands without cleaning my bore.  I don't personally coat them myself, I buy them already coated.  I have experience watching people who have used the powder coating, done at home, and they have had terrible results with the coating chipping off, coating the barrel, key holing, and poor accuracy.  I was concerned that there was so much transfer in one pistol that the gun was going to over-pressure at some point trying to squeeze a bullet through the tube. 
 

You've said the same thing before, and we discussed it then. Powder coating done right performs just as well as Hi-Tek. Either one is a good option, but powder coating is easier to do at home, if you take the time to do it right. Just because some people can screw up installing a lightbulb is not an indication that powder coating doesn't work.

works great for me

[jasnt]

Don't know if I was the first to try it, but I was the first to document dry tumble powder coating a few years ago, and have been using it ever since. It works really well, if you use good powder.

Every powder works differently, even different colors in the same brand. For those who try dry tumbling and it doesn't work, try a different powder.

The most common mistake is using cheap Harbor Freight powder. That leads people trying to use air soft BBs, tumblers, and other doodads to make it work. Use a good powder, shake by hand in a recycleable yogurt tub, with clean bullets, and it will work great.

Another common mistake is trying to get a single heavy coat of powder. Two thin coats seem to work better, with more even coating and better results at the range.

main reason I didn't like tumbling is I had to handle the bullets to get them on the pan before I could bake them. Other wise I was getting bullets sticking to the pan or together   Now I powder coat billets set nose down on hardware cloth. Then place the whole thing in the oven. Then the only blemish would be on the nose and not affect leading or seal.  Works better for me. Working on a different tray to do my hp's.    Jme

[JJB11B]

Do you have some photos to help us challenged people who are having trouble visualizing that Jasnt?

[theleo]

[/quote]main reason I didn't like tumbling is I had to handle the bullets to get them on the pan before I could bake them. Other wise I was getting bullets sticking to the pan or together   Now I powder coat billets set nose down on hardware cloth. Then place the whole thing in the oven. Then the only blemish would be on the nose and not affect leading or seal.  Works better for me. Working on a different tray to do my hp's.    Jme
[/quote]
Easiest way with hollow points is to just run self tappers through a piece of scrap metal and place the hollow point over the pointy end of the screw. Lots of guys use HP's for all their shooting because they're less of a hassle powder coating.

[Bill W]

If cast bullets are sized properly there's usually no leading.   If they are undersized or pushed wayyyyy too fast one will experience leading.    I shoot cast in both rifles and revolvers.

[Yondering]

Bill W, that's the traditional thinking, and generally correct, until you're honest with yourself about what "no leading" really means, and how often you check the bore for leading, how many rounds between cleanings, etc.

Compared to perfectly loaded cast bullets in ideal conditions, powder coating still has some advantages. The bullets are clean to handle, with no sticky lube or lead exposure. You can fire hundreds or thousands of rounds between bore cleaning. There's less smoke/lead residue on the gun, and little or no lead particles to breathe in with the gun smoke.

Also, the same coating works whether the bullets are for a 600 fps .45 load or a 1500 fps .357 load, or a 3,000 fps 30-06 load.

[Yondering]

main reason I didn't like tumbling is I had to handle the bullets to get them on the pan before I could bake them. Other wise I was getting bullets sticking to the pan or together   Now I powder coat billets set nose down on hardware cloth. Then place the whole thing in the oven. Then the only blemish would be on the nose and not affect leading or seal.  Works better for me. Working on a different tray to do my hp's.    Jme

Yeah, I understand the desire to avoid imperfections. I do get imperfections from the bullets touching the screen or each other, but have realized that it doesn't matter; I haven't been able to tell a difference in accuracy or bore condition either way. Some guys can't live with that though. I use a screen in my baking pan though, so I don't get flat spots from touching the pan. I don't touch the bullets at all once they go in the powder.

[jasnt]

Do you have some photos to help us challenged people who are having trouble visualizing that Jasnt?

ill take some tomorrow if I get time

[Bill W]

I've shot a lot of cast bullets both rifle and revolver so I know what "no leading" looks like and understand how to get there.  I stand by my earlier statement.