lead bullet hardness and powder coating

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

So I decided to go through with casting lead bullets but I have another question for the experts. So as I understand it, if lead bullets are to soft, they will leave material in your barrel. Thats why you want a strong alloy. Now if I am going to powder coat my rounds instead of traditional lube, does the hardness even matter? I have seen pictures of rounds recovered and they are in nearly perfect shape because of powder coating. Seeing as this stoped leading, can the lead be any hardness? Thanks for the opinions and help.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

I would say NO but i'm not 100% sure.

I cast and use the Hi tek coating and water dropped CWW bullets will only have a hardness around 10 after baking in the oven. So I think what's going to matter is how hot you have to get them and for how long.

Tho it does seem for both Hi tek and Powder coated you can push a soft alloy much faster in most applications.

 

[[email protected]]

The alloy will still have to be hard enough to grip into the rifling of the barrel. It it is too soft the bullet may strip through the rifling. The powder coat may keep it from leading, but you may not get the accuracy your looking for.

 

[bayjoe]

I cast half range scrap and half clip on wheel weights. Water drop and powder coat 30 caliber rifle bullets. I don't get any leading or residue in my barrels.
Only reason I powder coat is I got tired of trying to find jackets for rifles.
Primer, 10 grains of Unique, gas check equals a lot of cheap fun.

 

[USSR]

So as I understand it, if lead bullets are to soft, they will leave material in your barrel. Thats why you want a strong alloy.

Not exactly. Too "strong" of an alloy will cause leading also. That's why you make your alloy suitable to the intended purpose. Also, proper sizing and lubrication is a factor to be considered.

Don

 

[TNBilly]

I can verify what USSR just relayed! I just got done firing off some 170gr in my max. They were about linotype hardness, I'd guess around 21 or 22 and in spite of being coated and then lubed, shooting them at 2000fps resulted in a well leaded barrel. They also shattered on impact rather than any type of deformation. Personally I'd keep the bullets down around 8-12.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Hardness if often given more attention than it needs. It's true, you shouldn't shoot pure lead, but proper fit and lube is far more important than hardness.

I can verify what USSR just relayed! I just got done firing off some 170gr in my max. They were about linotype hardness, I'd guess around 21 or 22

Dammit man. I'd keep those and add them to pure lead to custom tailor harndness. It's a waste shooting those IMO.

 

[popper]

Lino is way too hard and a waste for 2000 fps. I shoot 308 PCd 165 GC @ 2400 with no leading.
~ 3% Sb, WD. It works.