effect on alloy

[white eagle]

does pc have any effect that anyone has observed on the performance of the alloy being coated?
Say you use a 16-1 alloy and drive it @ 1400 fps the alloy alone should perform like a core loct whereby it make a pretty mushroom will adding pc disrupt that alloy trait?

[Kosh75287]

I was under the impression that polymer coat basically separates the alloy from the rifling, but engages the rifling and imparts the spin. For the polymer coat to disrupt the expansion properties of the underlying alloy, wouldn't the polymer coat have to be much harder and thicker?

[reddog81]

Baking the powder coat can have an effect on the hardness of water quenched bullets.
I've heard that PC'd bullets shoot a little faster than traditionally lubed bullets.
I can't imagine there would be much of a difference on expansion.

[OS OK]

I was under the impression that polymer coat basically separates the alloy from the rifling, but engages the rifling and imparts the spin. For the polymer coat to disrupt the expansion properties of the underlying alloy, wouldn't the polymer coat have to be much harder and thicker?

I think we agree & don't think it engages the rifling, it's too thin. If your coating is .001" thick and that cast runs through rifling that stands .004" there is .003" of boolit metal engaged...that PC is a lubricant that just appears to be a jacket.

[white eagle]

I was most curious about after the boolit exits the firearm
its terminal performance

[runfiverun]

the coating will flow with the alloy as it is disrupted.

[white eagle]

whats not to like
sounds like a win,win

[guywitha3006]

the coating will flow with the alloy as it is disrupted.

This is what I am banking on for my 44 ammo for deer season this year, a nice soft 1-16 to 1-20 bullet with a powder coat wrapper.

[Strtspdlx]

Just don't water quench them when they come out of the oven. I've had powdercoated alloys for hp bullets that have fragmented and I believe it was because I dump them in water when done. I haven't been able to test the air cooled ones yet.

[Wolftracker]

Basic physics, I've found, still apply. The PC will prevent leading so long as you don't push the bullet beyond the limits of the alloy to the point that it comes apart. For accuracy though, your load has to work with the hardness of the alloy. The faster you push it, the harder the alloy needs to be, despite PC. It's not a big deal with handguns but is with rifles. Bullet design also seems to have an effect. My best load with the relatively soft alloy (unknown BHN but probably around 12) I'm using does great with blunter profiles but patterns with pointier ones of the same weight. I could be wrong but so far that's my operating theory. I'll have to gradually increase the hardness of my alloy to prove it though. Working on it.