Thank you all for the replies.
Randy, I havent warmed up to it. I havent completely written it off, but its outside of the scope of what im interested in. I want to stay traditional, with lube in grooves.
If I cant get fire lapping to resolve the leading problem, I will try recutting the forcing cone and or having the throats honed out . If it comes to that... i'll be asking for some help with it as i've never cut metal with a reamer of any variety. Im sure I can handle it with some instruction though. If after those things... I still am getting unacceptable leading... then i'll probably ponder on the powder coating.
Sounds extreme as I write it, But If I wanted to away from tradition, i'd just shoot jacketed bullets, or buy plated bullets.