Ammunition & Hand Loading > Cartridge and Shotshell reloading
Powder Coating Lead Bullets
unfy:
brad: if ya don't end up doing it asap, lemme know when your next shift at cabela's is and i'll drop by for a bit of show and tell so ya can see what you're getting into.
It's easy, some folks have had great luck with the base down aluminum foil method (i suppose i could try reducing charge a bit if jig don't work out). Although they could also be running a harder alloy than what I am.
As per my regular suggestion: post pics! :)
My short nap turned into a regular sleep :(. So off to work, and will fiddle with jig tonight after work.
bk09:
I work Friday morning. I would be interested in seeing how they turn out. I will probably try the basic method with the lead exposed on the bottom. Would be nice to cast 40 for my Glock and then PC them. If it turns out well then I will try it with my 500mag and then I won't have to mess with gas checks. BTW does anybody know how to make their own gas checks? I have seen pop can gas checks but I'm not sure if that's a good idea, would aluminum be more apt to scratching a barrel?
SS_N_NE:
--- Quote from: bradkoll on April 10, 2013, 06:30:43 PM ---would aluminum be more apt to scratching a barrel?
--- End quote ---
Aluminum oxidizes very quickly. The oxide coating is very hard and is what makes aluminum basically self-protecting. However, that coating is aluminum-oxide...yep, the stuff they use to make abrasive paper (sandpaper).
unfy:
I'll be by Friday, then :).
The aluminum foil method is easy and gets you a starting point (which might be good enough for you). Everyone should give it a go when they first start out.
Folks have all kinds of good luck with pistol rounds. Rifle rounds appear a different thing all together (seemingly random reports). Your 500s&w produces insane pressures and stuff in pistol round form, I can only imagine that PC won't be enough. Would be interesting to hear how ya make out.... and if base coat helps any.
There's a guy that makes a gas check maker for use in small arbor presses. Freechex is the name IIRC. There are some plans online for machining your own (including youtube videos). Several folks here have mentioned having lathes and mills and stuff :P
As long as you planned on shooting them 'soon' (a few months), I don't see aluminum being too evil. Cans are pretty thin and if ya face the "painted" side out, it should have plenty of corrossion resistance. Zinc flashing or similar can be had.. and zinc is supposed to be decent as a gas check. Some folks claim it leaves a thin lining on barrel to help further reduce leading. Note: zinc plated washers would be a no no - that's *steel* with a bit of zinc on top heh. Copper stuff can be had, but the flashing I work with for roofing would be a bit too thick.. you'd need to come up with a thinner gauge sheet of copper that didn't cost a fortune.
edit:
I love the guy's intro (first 30 sec) to this video... hilarious and sounds like me :)
unfy:
Converted failed jig into bullet lube groove holder using the 22ga wire. Seems like it might do okay, I dunno. Part of the fun will be seeing how the PC/wire separates at the lube grove (will a huge flake stick to the wire?).
Jig flips over easily for coating the nose of the bullets, and the bullets don't fall over or anything.
The wire isn't ultra high tension... but it's enough to cause the jig to bend/warp a little (dunno if it shows up in the pics). You can adjust the wire by hand to get it more how ya want it.
Is this fairly easy to work with ? Sure. Is it something I'd wanna do 1000 bullets with ? Not particularly.
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