Using a coating like hitek or PC is like cheating. It adds diameter, and prevents lead on steel contact.
Using a coating like hitek or PC is like cheating. It adds diameter, and prevents lead on steel contact.
I was experiencing serious leading with a M&P 9C using the Lee 125-TC with 231.
Tried multiple levels of hardness. With lube, with Hitec, and with both Hitec and lube.
All of them leaded but the combination of lube and Hitek was acceptable (barely)
What fixed the issue was changing to a slower powder (CFE Pistol) which made the coating/lube and hardness choices almost irrelevant.
Seems that the consensus is that while hi tek can help fix a problematic bullet fit, it will not fix a real problem, so you must address that first. PC, because it’s generally quite a bit thicker, could possibly mask a problem a little more, but it’s still not addressing the real issue. It also can create fit issues with extra thickness on other areas like the noses. If your bullet is too far smaller and that is why you’re leading, you might get a different mold or beagle it or whatever to get the size up. Or hone out your sizer etc. I know .002” seems like a lot of interference, and I’m at more like + .0005” on my 9mm’s, and I’m right at the ragged edge of being undersized in my belief. I think I’d really like a solid .001” interference fit in a perfect world.
I load all my 9mm with red dot. About as fast as it gets.
I believe that one of the big problems with 9mm loading is the fact that it’s a tapered case, so to return the dimensions to factory you end up with a bullet that’s swaged down by the case itself. So, it may not be ideal for a multi-firearm ammo, if possible see if you can chamber cases that are substantially wider at the mouth, and maybe size them down less, or watch that they don’t get crimped down after seating, squishing the bases to below acceptable diameter fit. Pull a few and measure them at the bases.
Last edited by Drew P; 02-18-2020 at 06:23 PM.
This is what it says on the SNS casting home page.
Attention All Customers! Over the years, we have noticed one common theme when it comes to dirty/leaded barrels...Powders with fast and or hot burn rates. Here is a link to a powder burn rate chart. We recommend powders with burn rates slower than the top 15 on this list, with the exceptions being Ramshot Competition, Red Dot, and N310.
Here is a link to SNS
https://www.snscasting.com/
I don't know enough about how powder burns to comment on how much difference powder choice makes , but the folks at SNS have this on the home page. I would assume it would be the same for any Hi-tek coated bullet
I've measured after sizing and I'm at 0.358. I loaded some and pulled a few and bullets were .3575/.358, so there's a bit of eccentricity. Looked at using a 38 S&W expander, but mine is too short. Weather permitting, I'll load some with slower powder this weekend.
I also just got in 400 coated Bayou Bullets in 124 GN, 135 GN, 145 GN and 147 GN to load and try to see if there is a different result with a more professional alloy.
Last edited by RydForLyf; 02-21-2020 at 09:29 PM.
I had leading with the Lee 125RF and 231. Tried the 38 S&W expander which helped some. Hardened the lead and that also helped some but still had leading. Switched to Unique (with 38 S&W expander and same hardened lead) and leading went away.
God Bless, Whisler
The 9mm I had leading troubles with had a non existent throat, a few turns with a throating reamer and no more leading, might be worth a peek.
I had leading at first with the 9mm. I finally slowed them way down and started back u in load. Found a sweet spot between 900fps and 1000fps. If I ran any faster it would lead, this was with a S&W2.0. It worked for me but everyone has to find their own sweet spot. (Alliant Power Pistol) Good luck with your workup.
CD
When you find you are in deep trouble, look straight ahead,keep your mouth shut, and say nothing.
A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards
Theodore Roosevelt
I have good luck with BE, RedDot & green dot in my 9MM's [I powdercoat everything] I used to HiTek coat but for small batches, it took too long. I like to run 5 -- 7# batches of boolits at a time when I do HiTek
Find someone with a lathe - a new expander is an easy turning job.
I have to see if a 3d printed part will be strong enough - I use PLA for seating stems and top punches so with the right print settings it might be able to work as an expander (but probably not as a powder through expander)
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |