We get so many posts in the “Coatings & Alternatives” and their real question is powder coating worthwhile and why should I give it a try. With the help of others I have compiled a list of my reasons to powder coat and I am sure there are more:
WHY POWDER COAT?
· Lubed bullets are simply that, grease applied to the bullet alloy to reduce leading; Powder Coating (PC) is more than just another lube or coating providing lubrication. A properly applied and cured PC actually creates a Polymer Jacket that does not leave any leading or copper fouling in your barrel, so cleaning time is significantly reduced and money spent on exotic cleaners is not needed. The fact is lubed lead bullets leave lead residue and copper jacketed/plated bullets leave copper residue in barrels. Added 3/19: Now that Federal has introduced their own commercial line of coated bullets and Federal states the coating is in fact a jacket, I think it can now be accepted that the term Polymer Jacket is correct.
· Since PC does not leave a lead residue it can be shot in polygonal barrels such as Glocks. Firing lubed lead bullets is a safety issue posted by Glock as the polygonal rifling swages the bullet causing sever leading. However, shooting any reloaded ammunition voids Glocks warranty. PC save the expense of purchasing a non-polygonal barrel just to shoot lubed lead bullets.
• PC is a superior bullet lubricant at preventing lead deposits. In a recent test of identical loads where several different lubricants were compared, PC bullets chronographed approximately 4% higher velocity over all conventionally lubed bullets with no lead deposits.
Added 3/19: Federal has published test results not only indicating PC is a superior lubricant giving an increase in velocity but due to less friction the gun barrels run cooler.
• Powder Coating add thickness the cast bullet diameter, which can be of benefit for bullet molds that cast undersize or for oversize barrels.
· Powder coating creates a very tough and 2H+ hard chemically bonded Polymer Jacket that can totally encase the lead making it safer to handle and to shoot than lubed lead bullets.
· The Polymer Jacket (PJ) created by the powder coating process virtually eliminates feeding problems in semi-autos, both rifle & pistol. A PC bullet will reliably feed when bare lead, plated, coated and metal jacketed bullets will not because the entire PC surface acts as a lubricant due to the slickness.
· Powder coating is hard, but more than hard it is tough. A bullet alloy can be hard, but lacks toughness and with the increase of alloy hardness other problems increase, like brittleness and inaccuracy.
· Typical PC creates a polymer jacket similar in thickness and hardness of pure copper plating, but PC does not have the velocity restrictions (1250 fps) of a standard copper plated bullet. Due to the chemical bond and toughness of the Polymer Jacket the coating does not flow back under pressure like copper plating. This can be easily verified by recovered bullets.
· The polymer jacket created by PC resists the stress force created by chamber pressure allowing PC bullets to use a much softer alloy that lubed bullets. PC pure lead bullets can be fired at handgun velocities without leading. I as well as others on the Cast Boolits site have coated and fired PC pure lead with no leading at velocities far greater than an identical lubed bullet would allow.
· PC saves money, by eliminating the need for copper plated/jacketed bullets for handgun calibers and many rifle calibers.
· PC bullets do not leave a grease residue in reloading dies, eliminating the time and materials needed for cleaning. Also eliminating the constantly changing Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) as lube residue builds up in the bullet seating die.
· PC does not pick up and trap contaminates (dirt/sand, etc.) that can then be loaded into a cartridge.
· PC bullets function in a bullet feeder, lube bullets do not, allowing those with a progressive press and bullet feeder to increase the speed of production.
· When tumble coated and cooked base down PC flows into the imperfection on the cast bullet’s base creating a much more uniform flat base for accuracy similar to a gas check. The imperfections due to the cut sprue on the base of the bullet remain on standard lubed bullets. The coating on the base of the bullet also insulates the bullet from the heat of ignition, resisting gas erosion, similar to a gas check and the tough coat appears to have a much higher shearing resistance than the lead substrate.
· Powder coating may eliminate the need for gas checks, but more high velocity testing must be performed. Lubed lead bullets and other coatings offer no protection against gas erosion, necessitating the need for gas checks at higher pressures.
Added 3/19: When gas checks are used, PC can bond the check in place to assure it remains intact. Charles Darnall the maker & designer of the Freechex gas check making tools states from his testing, "Powder Coating eliminates the need for a gas check to seal & protect the bullet alloy from the heat of ignition." However I believe a gas check should be used if the bullet is a GC design to improve accuracy.
· PC does not burn with the heat of ignition, altering the chamber pressure/velocity as bullet lube can do when ignited. With PC there is no infamous lube burning smoke cloud that obliterates the view of the target, annoys others and has the indoor range office asking you to leave the range or shoot something other than lubed bullets.
· PC bullets are accurate. My Ransom Rest testing of PC handgun bullets indicates accuracy equal to jacketed bullets. Others are finding excellent accuracy in rifle calibers.
· PC bullets will store indefinitely with no special care. Storage temperature is not an issue as it is with lubed bullets.
· Powder coating in different colors allows quick identification not only of a particular bullet design; it can be used to define a particular load. A 44 magnum cartridge loaded at maximum for a rifle looks just like a 44 magnum cartridge loaded for a pistol. If one load has a red bullet and one a blue bullet it makes identification easy and could save damage to a gun and possible injury.
· PC can be achieved with a minimal investment in time, materials or equipment.
· PC eliminates the boredom of the casting process and opens up new venues of creativity and enjoyment of a hobby. PC is a good topic of conversation for range talk, generating more associates and friends. Powder coated bullets are prettier than lead bullets; Women love PC bullets and detest ugly, sticky lead bullets.
.Added 3/19: The statements above were made with the assumption that the applied PC would be of suitable thickness and cured following the specific curing instructions of the Powder Manufacturer of the particular powder used. It is also understood all polymers may not be suitable for coating bullets and the end results may vary.