coated bullets and .357 magnum

[Tortuga12]

I've been loading .38 special for a while now, would like to start in on .357 as well now that I have a decent supply of brass. I've been using cast lead up to now, but these fancy coated boolits sure seem to be nice. In .357, anything I should watch out for when using these? (Speaking specifically of the Missouri bullet Hi-Tek coating).

As a second part to this question, when dealing with coated bullets, does one need to worry about BHN as much? Since I shoot both .38 and .357, it would be nice to pick one bullet and stick with it, rather than buy both "hard" and "soft", if possible.

As a third part to this question, due to the fact that there's SO MANY powders to choose from at the store, I'll be using Lil' Gun. I hear it runs pretty hot, any issues with this powder and coated bullets? My google-fu has failed me in this regard so far.

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[R.W.Dale]

At handgun speeds my finding are that BHN does NOT matter within reason. <1500 fps

One thing I've found is that PC bullets seem to be slick enough that you may not get good results with the slowest powders due to low pressure and incomplete burn.

I'm still gathering data but it's almost like the reduction in friction has your loads behaving like the bullet is several grains lighter than it really is.

 

[Tortuga12]

Well, let's add ANOTHER layer of complexity to this, then!

In order to make this an even bigger pain in the butt, I've got two VERY disparate .357's I'll be shooting. First, a Rossi 92, with a 20" barrel. Second, a S&W 19-5 2.5" snubbie.

Now, I doubt I'll be shooting very much of this through the revolver, so any loads I work up will be focused on the rifle. How does that affect things, if at all?

 

[R.W.Dale]

No idea. I haven't gotten that far into testing above 1500 yet :-0

 

[Rule3]

They say to use cast data loads. I have used the Bayou bullets in 9mm, 45 ACP 45 Colt. The coating is amazing stuff and holds up to pretty much jacket loads.

I have shot 357 Mag but not full house loads (I hardly ever do) but I would with this coating.

I took a propane torch to a few bullets and it melts the lead inside but the jacket holds up.

The MBC bullets are the same 18 or 12 inside. Bayous I think may be softer but do not think it matters much.

 

[mdi]

I believe the Hi-Tek coating is different than PC coating. Here's a ton of info on PCing and Hi-Tek coating; http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?184-Coatings-and-Alternatives

I've run some full magnum loads with powder coated bullets in my .44 Ruger SBH with no noticeable fouling or loss of accuracy...

 

[Rule3]

I believe the Hi-Tek coating is different than PC coating. Here's a ton of info on PCing and Hi-Tek coating; http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?184-Coatings-and-Alternatives

I've run some full magnum loads with powder coated bullets in my .44 Ruger SBH with no noticeable fouling or loss of accuracy...

Indeed there is. PC is electrostatic powder coating, the Hi Tech is a different process and polymer coating baked on. MBC and Bayou use the Hi Tech.

 

[Haxby]

I haven't used coated bullets. I have used Lil Gun in 357.
My suggestion would be:
Use whatever powder you have for the 38 in the 357 revolver, with coated BIN 12 bullets.
Use a full power load of Lil Gun with a heavy BIN 18 coated bullet for the rifle.

 

[Havok7416]

I have used over 1,000 coated bullets so far with full-power H110 loads. No problems whatsoever. Others are reporting the coating is staying on up to 2,500 FPS or so. In short, your bullets will be just fine.

 

[poco loco]

it depends a bit, probably in the curing

I picked up some commercial cast and hi tek coated to try in the 357 sig and was looking over a few the other night, out of the 5 I had in hand, 1 the coating scraped off with my fingernail, the other 4 seem very well bonded.

I picked up some of the hi tek coating too, I guess I need to get off my duff and cast and coat up some.

Wonder how hard the coating is to get out of your barrel if it strips..