final sizing of coated bullets

[odette]

I cast around 600 .41 cal bullets using a Lyman mold. I gas checked and sized using NOE .411 size bushing. The mix is straight wheel weight. After sizing I powder coated, I measured today and they are measuring .414 with the powder coating. Should I size them again, or load and shoot.
I use these in a Henry BBS and a T/C 14" Contender

[Conditor22]

IF they chamber your probably OK.
I'd slug the barrel and start .002 over that measurement.

You need to find what diamiter your gun like best.

[G. Freeman]

Although I'm a new caster, I thought you could have just applied the GC after powder coating. That way, you just size once.

[odette]

I used to GC after powder coating but ran into problems with GC's falling off. I had several boxes of Lyman and Hornady GC's from early 1980's. I switched to Gator GC's and put them on before powder coat, they stay put.

[Conditor22]

Although I'm a new caster, I thought you could have just applied the GC after powder coating. That way, you just size once.

This depends on the GC, how thick you apply the PC and how you put the GC on.

I do all my GCing after PCing and haven't had a problem. My DIY GC stay on.

[cwlongshot]

Odette, As stated if the fit you may be fine shooting as is. I would size to .002 larger then groove. Either isnt dangerous but accuracy could suffer.

For those pesky gas checks... Get yourself the NOE kit for sizing it includes a gas check seater using his RCBS or Lyman style top punches. Its wonderful tool For seating a gas check squarely and absolutely.

When coated a GC bullet I make sure that I judiciously "sift off" all extraneous powder. Makes the seating far and away better. I have shot and recovered many many of mu bullets and they nearly always have the checks still on the bullet after being recovered.

Mostly you are Correct G.Freeman. But its not written in stone as if its the only way. Some gas check first then powder coat and lastly size. In any event it is simply a waste to size powdercoat then size again!!

https://youtu.be/mqVbI7L-4_U

Seating with this NOE tool is starting @ 10:35

https://youtu.be/OoT5eA3PBkA

Al is sold out just now. But here is the link.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/sizing-tools/bushing-push-through-size-die/push-through-size-die-body/

[charlie b]

Not really a waste. :)

For my rifle bullets I like to size (and install GC), PC, then size again. Several of them I also size the noses before and after PC. But, I am after a bit more accuracy than I am with pistol bullets.

Pistol bullets, if I size them at all, get sized after PC. And none have gas checks.

FWIW, if the bullet is designed 'correctly' then the GC will be a fairly tight fit before PC. If I try to apply a GC after PC with my molds it scrapes off a bit of PC. To me that means it is not going on 'straight'.

[cwlongshot]

What I am saying Charlie is doing the same thing twice... is a waste. It can be done ONCE for the same final result.

As for doing so as part of your own process, well of coarse it is not a waste it is how you choose to go about it!

Yes tight fitting GC can be a booger. This is why I ha e suggested this NOE tool. Checks are perfect and absolutely completely applied but NOT CRIMPED. The sizing proceadure does that. Another reason to size last.

YES again 100% Generally a PC bullet for a hand gun has ZERO USE for a GC.

CW

[charlie b]

I've just found slightly better accuracy sizing before and after PC. Yes, it is a small amount for most. But, when chasing the sub-MOA groups it is worth it.