What powder for PC boolits

[Dtdk]

I am new to this and just thought I would start with PC right out of the gate. My question is, what brands of powder do you guys reccomend?

[Dieselhorses]

A reloading manual can answer that for you! I treat all my powder coated bullets the same as J'd.

[stubshaft]

If you are asking what brand of powder to PC with, then I would recommend the one from Smoke4320 who is a contributor on this site. If you are asking what type of powder to load with, then whatever type you would normally use.

[Dtdk]

Yes I meant what type of powder to powder coat with. Thanks guys.

[Wadsworth]

I’ve been using Eastwoods Hotcoat PC in a variety of colors and have had great results.

[Dtdk]

I actually just ordered up a sample pack from smoke, but I appreciate the hot coat advice as well.

[PhilC]

Add another satisfied customer for Smoke4320, won't use anything else.

[Cast10]

#1 - Smoke - eliminates all the issues of the powder being a problem!

I’ve used Powder By the Pound, TGIC, too.

[cwlongshot]

Yup Smokes for sure. But I have used many brands including Eastwood, The Powder Coat Store, Powder By the Pound, Prismatic, Columbia Coatings, Sherwin Williams and PPG. Im probably missing a few as well.

One thing to remember, most of us do "Shake n Bake". That is NOT how the powders was designed to work. So consaquently not all WILL WORK as shake n bake. But all work theu the "gun" and system as designed.
Thats the beauty of Smokes. He knows and has experwince knowing what works and what dont. So you can be pretty confident its gonna work and thats a big worry of allot of new powder bullet coaters.

CW

[Hick]

I actually just ordered up a sample pack from smoke, but I appreciate the hot coat advice as well.

Good move. I especially like Smoke's clear-- nice traditional looking lead bullets that work really nice too!

[Dtdk]

So I have to ask, are the airsoft BBs something you need for knocking off excess powder or something.

[kungfustyle]

Hello Dtdk, The airsoft BB's help create the static electricity that attracts the powder coat to the lead boolit. You'll also need a #5 plastic container. Look on the bottom of a big sour cream, nut or similar container, for the number inside the recycle triangle. PS. Don't try to powder coat on too humid a day. Good luck.

[David2011]

Does anyone have an opinion on at what level of humidity does it become a problem? The shop is air conditioned and typically around 50%. I haven’t powder coated since I left the desert; now I’m on the Gulf Coast.

[Dtdk]

Will any airsoft BBs work?

[cwlongshot]

Its differe t for everyone.

I regularly coat in rain or extreamly high humidity. Its been near 100° here for more then a week. Heat index's in the 115's. I powder coat just fine. Others have difficulties.

https://youtube.com/shorts/SCq6KYdhKWE?feature=share

This was Monday.

I have videos outlining how I do things. Might answer questions you didnt know you had.

PT 1

https://rumble.com/vtz57g-pt-1-powder-coating.html

PT 2

https://rumble.com/vtz723-part-ii-powder-coating.html

[Dtdk]

Thanks guys

[P Flados]

Does anyone have an opinion on at what level of humidity does it become a problem? The shop is air conditioned and typically around 50%. I haven’t powder coated since I left the desert; now I’m on the Gulf Coast.

I am located less than 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in Southeastern North Carolina.

I had humidity problems when starting out. Then I figured out the cause, and now many of my powder coated batches are run on days with high humidity. If it is humid, toss the uncoated bullets in the oven an preheat to between 120 °F and 140 °F. Once the bullets have been preheated, there will be no tendency for condensation to form on the bullets. The moisture is what kills the static generation.

[cwlongshot]

140° is too hot. (Much) You will get clumping of powder from flash melting. But yes (if ya watch my video) warming the bullets helps immensely!! But only to 100 or so degrees.

CW

[P Flados]

When I pre-heat I want the bullets not too hot to hold in my hands. Around 140 °F is on the edge. Around 120 °F is nice.

I take the container of bullets out of the oven and start the "shake" step of shake & bake. I have not noted any clumping with my powders from pre-heat. When heating my bullets in the oven, it does not look like there is any powder melting until over 300 °F indicated. However, I have no doubt that different powders may indeed clump at a lower temp than mine.

Also note that the first handful I do will be the warmest, following handfuls will be just barely warm when added to the #5 container.

[cwlongshot]

I warm mine in baskets atop the toaster ovens I bake in. Only powder that finds this too warm is Chroma Chrome. I have read the temp its 105/107°

(Its all in my video I posted links to)

CW

[Kosh75287]

I've loaded PC'd projectiles in 9mm, .357 Mag., .45 ACP, .45 Colt (TC/Ruger only), and 8x57 mm Mauser. I've used propellants with burning rates as fast as Bullseye/Red Dot(auto pistols), through Unique/Herco, to Alliant 2400/IMR 4227(revolvers) to Reloder7/IMR-4198 (Rifle). I have never discerned that any propellant used had a positive or negative effect on results with PC'd bullets.
I HAVE had certain propellants turn in better accuracy or more uniform velocities, but I surmise that this is more a function of loading density or other factors. I would expect similar trends with cast lead or j-word projectiles.

[Dtdk]

Just got my sample pack of black, clear and yellow green from smoke.

[ChuckJaxFL]

But only to 100 or so degrees.

CW

Which may explain why I don't have an issue in my Jacksonville, FL garage: ambient temperature is often 100F or better. My bullets are preheated already.

[firefly1957]

I have been using enamel spray paint more and more spray it on then bake the bullets it works as well as powder coating and can be handled on way to oven .

[45workhorse]

Smokes powder #1
I keep my powder in the shop refrigerator, only take it out to coat boolits.