WidenersRepackboxReloading EverythingLee Precision
Titan ReloadingMidSouth Shooters SupplyLoad DataRotoMetals2
Inline Fabrication
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 27

Thread: Frosted cast bullets & PC.

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy Dom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    W. Montana
    Posts
    429

    Frosted cast bullets & PC.

    Some times I get some frosted bullets when I cast. After looking closer at these frosted bullets with all the nooks & crannies of the textured surface, I thought. Maybe these would be preferable to PC, because the rougher surface would hold/grab the powder better, as opposed to, nice smooth & shiny . Just a thought.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
    slohunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    165
    I have poly coated many frosted boolits, they all shot just fine.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master


    Walks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    3,028
    Doesn't make a difference.
    I HATE auto-correct

    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

    My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.

    SASS #375 Life

  4. #4
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Southeast PA, near Valley Forge PA
    Posts
    83
    Frosting doesn't affect PC negatively...in fact the few times I've had frosted bullets I think the rough surface actually helped the PC to stick better

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy Dom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    W. Montana
    Posts
    429
    Also my thought.. A textured surface for the power to attach to...

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master


    GregLaROCHE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Southern France by way of Interior Bush Alaska
    Posts
    5,286
    I often PC frosted boolits. I don’t see anything wrong with doing it. I PC most calibers these days, but wouldn’t think twice loading a frosted Boolit as a plain greaser, at least for plinking, which is what I do most of these days. Does anyone see problems shooting plain frosted boolits?

  7. #7
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Posts
    17
    I prefer to cast boolits with a slight frost which is caused by higher temperature. The higher temp gives better fillout in the mold and turning up the temp a bit until they frost a little usually solves problems I'm having. I PC almost all of them, although I've shot them as-is and can't tell any difference either way.

  8. #8
    Vendor Sponsor

    Smoke4320's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Right here ..at least I was a minute ago
    Posts
    5,046
    Frosted bullets will PC coat just fine.
    [SIZE=4][B]Selling Hi Quality Powdercoating Powder

    I carry a Nuke50 because cleaning up the mess is Silly !!

    http://www.bing.com/search?q=nuke50&...7ADE&FORM=QBLH

    I am not crazy my mom had me tested

    Theres a fine line between genius and crazy .. I'm that line
    and depending on the day I might just step over that line !!!

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    2,659
    Like lign, I get the best boolits with the fewest culls when alloy and mold temp combined with the right cadence produce an even light matte frosting. And they all coat just fine.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Northern Virginia, where the freeway does roam.
    Posts
    743
    The coolest looking bullets is when they frost so there is a geometric crystallized pattern on the surface of the lead.

    Ultra gloss clear let you see after you coat them.

    I'm going to see if I can make a picture soon.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,837

    Frosted Bullets

    The as cast diameter may be smaller as bullets drop from the mold. More so with the Lee aluminum mold, than an iron mold. Check that the diameter is large enought, as soon as a few bullets get cold.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Northern Virginia, where the freeway does roam.
    Posts
    743
    What kind of powder coat powder are you using to coat bullets Dom?

    If you're having issues with coverage I'm sure that we can help you troubleshoot a solution that works.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    I also prefer running my alloy temp hot as I get a better fill out and far less culls. They PC just fine, maybe better and I have found no difference in accuracy.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    1,091
    As stated, no noticeable difference in coating frosted bullets. I aim for mold temp that gives a bit of frosty. In fact some molds won't fill properly until the mold delivers frosty bullets. All coat fine.
    "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
    ~Thorin Oakenshield

  15. #15
    Moderator


    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Just outside Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Posts
    9,483
    If anything, the frosting should let the PC hang on better, and stick to them like poop on a baby blanket.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Back in the woods a piece, just outside Auburn, AL.
    Posts
    5,499
    They do PC great when frosted. I like to get a little frost on mine anyway, it seems to help me keep better fillout if I run it a little hot. (I usually cast HPs)
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Northern Virginia, where the freeway does roam.
    Posts
    743
    Frosty!

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Posts
    214
    Quote Originally Posted by GregLaROCHE View Post
    I often PC frosted boolits. I don’t see anything wrong with doing it. I PC most calibers these days, but wouldn’t think twice loading a frosted Boolit as a plain greaser, at least for plinking, which is what I do most of these days. Does anyone see problems shooting plain frosted boolits?
    I cast relatively small numbers of rifle bullets, so I can afford to be more pedantic when culling. After the visual cull, I do a quick average weight check by weighing a few groups of five, then set a lower weight cutoff and run the whole cast through to find seconds and a few more culls. It is quicker than it sounds.

    What I have found is that the frosted, or part frosted, bullets are among the light ones. In extreme cases the frosting will extend to rounding of bases etc, and in all cases represents a retreat of the bullet surface from the mould surface. Frosting on one side only of the bullet is therefore more likely to be an issue.

    Does it matter? Probably not, but I do try to cast so as to avoid frosting.
    It'll be handy if I never need it.

    Insomniac, agnostic, dyslectic - awake all night wondering if there is a Dog.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,837
    I find frosted bullets from Lee aluminum molds have more problems then Iron molds. Smaller in diameter & "a retreat of the bullet surface from the mould surface." +1

    Lee molds work ok for the most part. Just dont run them to hot.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    2,659
    I cast in volume for action pistol, which is not demanding of accuracy. Still, I want my boolits consistent, and as my cadence permits it, I inspect and cull as I go.

    I look for a light but even matte frost over the entire boolit. I think uneven frosting shows I messed up the pour or that the blocks aren't at the right temperature so those I discard. With the even frost I get very few rejects.

    I was under the impression that all bullet casting alloys shrink as they cool so they all "retreat...from the mold surface", otherwise dropping out of the mold would be problematic. I've also read here that the frosting pattern is from the alloy crystallizing differently from the excess heat. Lighter, yes, but I figure that's OK if the casts are all consistently lighter by the same amount (IIRC, the one time I checked samples on a scale the 148 grainers I cast from a MP mold had a total weight range of less than half a grain, fine for my application).

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

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