The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting > Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 26, 2013, 09:01 PM   #1
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Powdercoat testing.....

The HF red came out perfectly on the .357 bullets. I have them sitting on small machine nuts under the foil. I managed to coat a sandwich baggie full of them and only had two fall off the little nuts. It is quite a game of careful balancing though, from the spray table into the toaster.

The nuts are not JB-Welded to the tray (as some I have seen), I just placed them in rows, put the foil over them and pressed it into shape. The foil keeps the nuts from moving until I get the bullets set on em. I didn't know what spacing I was going to need, so I didn't want to permanently fix the nuts to the tray until I had that figured out but I am now thinking I don't have to glue em down at all.

The previous coatings I have done using the tumble method worked great but did not make a nice smooth coat like this. But the tumble coating worked perfectly with soft lead, so I shall load these up now and see if they do as well. These are 90% pure lead. (both pictures are baked and dry, they just look wet because the red is glossy)

__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 26, 2013, 11:04 PM   #2
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Now they got shoes and I can see just how fast they can go!
The coating makes them .362 and I sized em back down to .358, then put the checks on and sized again to seat the checks. So they been through the die twice after coating and still look good.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 26, 2013, 11:15 PM   #3
Rangefinder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 4, 2005
Posts: 2,017
MAN, those turned out sharp! You're gonna make me go get an ion gun yet, aren't you! Show-off... Love the color choice, too!
__________________
"Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?"

Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.
Rangefinder is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 10:10 AM   #4
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
I'm going to do a bunch of different styles while the weather is nice.




My casting station also doubles as my powdercoating station, so it is highly dependent upon cooperating weather.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 11:04 AM   #5
Rangefinder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 4, 2005
Posts: 2,017
And THAT color would be "Turtle-Buster Green"...
__________________
"Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?"

Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.
Rangefinder is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 01:18 PM   #6
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
I do like that color of green. 'Might as well do some of the 640 style too.

__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 06:24 PM   #7
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
The NOE WFN coated nicely. I think this one is going to be a winner.

The candy coating looks pretty, but I'm doubtful about its lube ability. I'll find out soon.


Things I've learned today:
1. My HF gun works best at 30 psi using the gauge at the gun. Less, and it tends to let powder build up in the tube and spits out clumps occasionally. This stopped completely when I left it on 30#. Keep in mind though, I don't know how accurate a $6 gauge really is.

2. My coatings added around .002-.0035 to the diameter, depending on color. This was not a problem, as they slid right through the sizing die so easily that I had to look to be sure it was the right one.

3. Do not attempt to cheat and use regular foil. That batch will get melted down and repoured. I was getting 2 batches per non-stick sheet. I got flashing on the 3rd, so started replacing it after 2. This will probably depend on how heavily you coat and how much overspray you have.

4. Changing colors is NOT an easy thing. It's about as easy to change the alloy in your pot, and about as time consuming. I think I'll stay with the HF red. It worked really great. (although many prefer the matte black, but I didn't have any black here.)

5. Now that I have figured out my spacing, I'm going to JB-Weld my nuts to the pan. It is a pain to line em up again after every changing of the foil.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.

Last edited by Beagle333; October 27, 2013 at 09:17 PM.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 07:02 PM   #8
Jo6pak
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 5, 2010
Location: West Coast...of WI
Posts: 1,663
Why? Just for the heck of it?
__________________
NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.
Jo6pak is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 08:22 PM   #9
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Because preliminary testing shows that a medium hardness cast bullet can be shot like jacketed, and soft or pure lead cast bullets can be shot harder and faster than with tumble or conventional lubes.

In short, it seems to be allowing tighter groups at higher velocities, with no barrel leading.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 09:40 PM   #10
Vance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 16, 2011
Location: North Bend, OR
Posts: 743
If you could make it so the powder coating also covered the bottom of the bullet, you would not need gas checks. I am in the process of setting up to do 2 part epoxy paint coating myself. Gets the same results and no need for gas checks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiFxAPtx4c0
Vance is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 09:43 PM   #11
Jo6pak
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 5, 2010
Location: West Coast...of WI
Posts: 1,663
OK, cool.
I didn't know if there was a practical reason or if it was just a exercise.

Could you place the bullets nose down, that way the base would be covered and the nose would be open like a soft point bullet?
__________________
NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.
Jo6pak is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 09:49 PM   #12
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Yes, that guy is surely getting some great results from his technique. I had seen that video. I might give it a shot after I ride this trick as far as it'll go.
Keep us updated on your progress?

I could coat the bottoms of nearly all of my bullets if I just stuck them over some roofing nails before spraying, since 95% of my molds are hollow points. But I got all these empty aluminum cans and nothin' to do with em!!!!
Quote:
Could you place the bullets nose down, that way the base would be covered and the nose would be open like a soft point bullet?
And with a wide meplat, like the first pics..... yes, you are right, it would be easy.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 27, 2013, 10:33 PM   #13
FrankenMauser
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 25, 2008
Location: In the valley above the plain
Posts: 13,401
Very nice.

I've been looking at picking up the gear for powder coating, when I get into a house (no point right now) ... primarily for coating my .444 Marlin bullets. It's too tempting not to try.


Quote:
Could you place the bullets nose down, that way the base would be covered and the nose would be open like a soft point bullet?
Wide meplat bullets work.
Also... hollow points can be lined up on nails, screws, etc, to let the base get coated.
__________________
Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.
FrankenMauser is offline  
Old October 28, 2013, 08:49 AM   #14
Jevyod
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 5, 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 172
Beautiful! It is good to see pictures! I just got my HF gun on Saturday. Need to find a cheap toaster oven yet, then I will be ready to go! One question, why do you doubt the lube ability of the candy colors? Is it not as tough as the others? And where is a good source to get powder?
Jevyod is offline  
Old October 28, 2013, 08:58 AM   #15
Vance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 16, 2011
Location: North Bend, OR
Posts: 743
I got a toaster oven at Walmart for less than $20. All the thrift stores around here didn't have any.
Vance is offline  
Old October 28, 2013, 09:31 AM   #16
CS86
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 28, 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 224
Quote:
I could coat the bottoms of nearly all of my bullets if I just stuck them over some roofing nails before spraying, since 95% of my molds are hollow points. But I got all these empty aluminum cans and nothin' to do with em!!!!
Your checks appear to have a nice corner to them. I was curious as to what your using to punch your checks. I ordered some from a member on cast boolits and his punched aluminum checks seem to have a more rounded corner then the copper checks I ordered (Hornady).

I've been watching your thread and I've been interested in powder coating. I just ordered a used RCBS lubesizer so I hate to start down the road with more equipment at this time. Main thing I wonder about is how do the 2 compare speed wise in producing bullets? Accuracy is a big importance also and I'd consider switching eventually if PC can do the trick.
CS86 is offline  
Old October 28, 2013, 11:48 AM   #17
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Quote:
why do you doubt the lube ability of the candy colors? Is it not as tough as the others? And where is a good source to get powder?
It just doesn't look and feel like the other coatings. It feels like a plastic coating, even though it went on as powder. But it just feels softer. I haven't shot any of them, but I do know the other powder "paints" work very well as lubes. Most feel very slippery. I shall find out about the candy color soon. But whatever I find may not be true for all candy colors..... there are many different compositions of powders out there.
I get my powder from HarborFreight and Ebay. There's a bazillion folks selling it on Ebay. Some people are getting theirs from PowderByThePound, but I have no experience with them. I only got my HF gun Saturday, so I have no results yet from any of this.
I have used powdercoating (mixed with lacquer thinner and shake, then dry and bake) with great success, but it doesn't produce a uniform coverage like spraying. I have been tumbling and baking some wadcutters that are 90% pure lead and shooting them pretty fast (over 1300fps) in my .357 and so I am hoping that the spraying method works even better.

I got my little toaster oven from Kroger. They had Black & Decker models for $14.99, but it will only do about 45-60 bullets at a time. I'd like a medium sized convection toaster oven one day, if this works out.

@CS86(pm sent on the gas checks)
Quote:
I just ordered a used RCBS lubesizer so I hate to start down the road with more equipment at this time. Main thing I wonder about is how do the 2 compare speed wise in producing bullets?
I have no idea. I have never owned a lubesizer.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.

Last edited by Beagle333; October 28, 2013 at 11:55 AM.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 28, 2013, 06:28 PM   #18
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Bear in mind, that even if I didn't turn em upside down, the bottom looks like this:

Which is fine for shooting. The sides are what is going to protect the rifling. The coating even extends around the side of the base a little.

I just gas check em, because I've got a LOT of plain base checks.

__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old October 29, 2013, 11:58 AM   #19
CS86
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 28, 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 224
Have you had a chance to shoot them yet to see if there is a difference between checking the base or leaving it plain?
CS86 is offline  
Old October 29, 2013, 05:51 PM   #20
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Not yet. I coated em last weekend, I'm loading them at night this week, and I'll drag out the chrony and the jugs this weekend and see what happens.

(working two jobs really crimps my shooting time!)
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.

Last edited by Beagle333; October 29, 2013 at 05:57 PM.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old November 3, 2013, 06:33 PM   #21
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
I loaded em up today with 6.5gr Unique and shot em outta my 6" GP-100, and according to my shiny new Chrony (which I did not shoot, all day!), they were running an average of 1008 fps. This is faster than I normally shoot, as my usual backyard load is 6.0 grains of Unique. But with no leading after 40 shots, I'm claiming a success. Then I shot some of the plain base, and saw no difference in the leading, or the accuracy. Other than some Unique dust in there (as always), it was clean. (I don't have a good way to take a pic of a bore).
I think next time I shall pour up some pure lead and see if it will get up to at least 900 or maybe 1000. I'd be tickled if I could shoot pure lead HPs at 900 fps with no lube! They wouldn't need to go any faster.

But they look good loaded.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old November 3, 2013, 07:28 PM   #22
CS86
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 28, 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 224
Sounds like you were just looking to see if the coating would prevent leading. Do you know what distance and what kind of group you were getting?
CS86 is offline  
Old November 3, 2013, 08:30 PM   #23
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
That pretty much is correct. I really was trying not to shoot my chrony.
But I was not unhappy with the groups. I was only at 30 feet. I don't shoot any appreciable distance with any of my pistols. Most of the time, I'm trying to put 6 in a playing card at 21 feet. Today was to see if I could use the coating without worry.... now I'll play with loads and alloy.
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old November 10, 2013, 06:17 PM   #24
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
I started running out of some colors. Now I'm just mixing the leftovers. Seems to work just as well. (MP45-225 and Accurate 36-162V) These are still unsized yet.... so they're running about .004 over right now, half of that is coating, the other half is just 'cause these two molds drop .002 over.




__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Old November 10, 2013, 10:13 PM   #25
Beagle333
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2012
Location: Auburn, AL.
Posts: 2,332
Terra Cotta TurtleBusters!
__________________
.
.
.
Have a Colt and a smile.
Beagle333 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:40 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.11519 seconds with 8 queries