PC and Bullet Expansion

[GregLaROCHE]

How does PC effect boolit expansion? Should we use softer lead if we want the same expansion as from lubed boolits?

[OS OK]

I don't think there is a measurable difference in having a PC coating or not.
I have been blending my HP loads for the speed I expect and the PC has been part and parcel of the process.

[Forrest r]

I've never noticed any difference between pc'd hp's and traditionally cast/lubed hp's. Didn't matter with2 different 45cal hp's, 4 different 30cal/308w hp's, 8 44cal hp's & 10 35cal hp's. This is a 210gr swc hb hp that was shot out of a 2 1/2" bbl'd charter arms bulldog that was recovered from wetpack. The top of the bullet (hp) was made with a forster hp tool and it flattened out. The hollow base also flared out/expanded as the bullets body compressed.
https://i.imgur.com/9Ht2FPC.jpg

Same bullet pictured above/top left.
https://i.imgur.com/fo57jjU.jpg

The bottom left bullet was cast out of the same alloy.

[Dragonheart]

I would not expect PC to impede expansion at all, but since PC provides a jacket that encases the alloy, the alloy can be much softer.

[pmer]

Shooting pc boolits into snow banks last winter I could tell the difference with boolits fired from a 45 ACP. Same load and alloy the non pc boolits expanded better than the pc ones did. NOE 230 HP, had to wait till spring to retrieve them but the non pc clearly opened up more.

[fredj338]

The PC is not tough enough to resist bullet expansion. So what ever alloy you are casting LHP with, just PC & go.