Coated bullets

[Tory]

Specifically, the polymer/plastic/whatever coated bullets from such companies as Precision, Bear Creek and Master Blaster. I'm looking to eliminate smoke and fouling without going to the full cost of jacketed.

Has anyone tried these magic projectiles and, if so, with what results?

Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have shot a fair number of the old Precision coated cast bullets. The .45 ACPs smoke markedly less than wax-lubed cast, but 9mms smoke almost as much as wax lubed. I think it is because the higher pressure and ratio of powder charge to bullet base area of the 9mm just burns the coating up. Can't say about fouling, I clean the gun every once in a while.

Precision has been off-line for many months but says they are back in production with new equipment. I have read elsewhere that their bullets will now be swaged instead of cast.

I have some Bear Creek coated .38 Special and .45 bullets on order, should be in shortly.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

I haven't paid particular attention to the smoke, but the leading is decidedly less with the Bear Creek moly-coated bullets. My recollection is that the smoke was also reduced, but would have to shoot them to verify that. I have a match on Saturday that I will be shooting with them. I use the .45 200 gr RNFP in .45 acp over 4.8 gr of Titegroup.

 

[TooTaxed]

The Bear Creek black moly-coated bullets have worked well for me...I've used 9-mm 125-gr RN, .38-Spl, .40 S&W, .45 Auto, and .45 Colt bullets. Leading is very minor or unnoticable.

 

[Tbone2]

40 SW barrel shot out 1000 rds

I shoot a STI in 40 SW recently installed a Schuemann barrel only to have wear so severe (0.010 compaired to stock) that I returned it to the factory.
The only bullets shot out of the gun were polymer coated lead (Ranger brand). Has anyone else had a similar problem? :banghead:

 

[Deavis]

I picked up some precision bullets to try out and I wasn't blown away by the tolerances. They shot and grouped well, but they weren't as constent as jacketed bullets. The coating wasn't very uniform and I think that it led to the variation in diameter/OAL of the bullets I was measuring. I guess what sealed the deal is that I had to pay sales tax on top of shipping and that made them almost as expensive as jacketed bullets for me.

 

[TooTaxed]

Since my last post I've tested a number of 9-mm Luger loads using Bear Creek 124-gr RNL moly and Ranier 115-gr RN copper-plated bullets, using a CZ-75B and a Taurus PT-99 with stainless steel barrel, both full-sized guns. Before firing, I stripped, thoroughly cleaned and lubed both guns.

Starting with light loads of 3.4-gr #231 with both bullets, the CZ functioned perfectly, with the slide remaining open at the end of the clipload. Accuracy was best in loads of 3.6 to 3.8-gr, with a slight edge to the Ranier...which might have just been me! No leading from the Bear Creek at any power up to 4.0-gr, which was as high as I tested. Could cover the 25-yd groups with one or two pasters (the targets got rather frayed after several groups).

The Taurus results were considerably different! Lots of leading with the Bear Creek at all powers...I think that is because of the stainless steel barrel, as I've had similar results with lead bullets in other SS pistols. Frequent FTE problems below 3.6-gr, where FTE and FTF problems were about equal. At 3.7-gr, good functioning except the slide wouldn't stay open at the end of the clipload. Finally got the slide to stay open at 3.8-gr. Accuracy was best at 3.6 to 3.8-gr, about on a par with the CZ. No leading in either gun from the Ranier.

Conclusions: (1.) Think I'll sell the Taurus. (2.) Both the Ranier and Bear Creek are fine for range work. (3.) I'll standardize on 3.8-gr of #231 for 115 to 125-gr 9-mm Luger. (It's interesting that this loading worked so well for function and accuracy in both bullet weights! Certainly not expected.)

 

[PGBsuperior]

I produce a moly-coated bullet that has been very popular, and the formula/process has been avidly sought after by such concerns as Midway and Remington Arms as well as by many individuals. They never got it, it was the trade secret of the man I bought my equipment from after he retired.

These were made by Jim Cox of J&L Bullets for many years and shipped all over the world, and I am now the only one making them. They do not lead your bore, you get better velocity, and the moly does not come off or get on your hands or remain in your bore. You don't get the smoke you do with other moly bullets either.

Drop me a line or give me a call and I'll be glad to discuss this with you.

a.