David Bradshaw Photos - LXXXII (82), Powder Coating Part 1

[Lee Martin]

POWDER COATING of cast bullets, as described by messengers Jeff "Tank" Hoover and Dick "sixgun" Thompson, is said to shorten time and avoid mess of conventional sized-and-lube procedure. Accuracy is said to not suffer, rather, in some cases improve with the baked-on glaze. Likewise, leading of the bore is eliminated. Tank has supplied me an assortment of "PC" cast bullets in the hope I might cast my own impression.

First thing I did was see how they fit the .45 Colt cylinder from a Freedom Arms M83, and the Colt cylinder from the the Ruger 03 Bisley Blackhawk. These powder coat .452" bullets----330 grain semi-wadcutter (SWC)----protrude from the exit holes (aka throats) of the M83 (left) and Ruger 03. Chamber exits of the Ruger 03 run .4515", the the Casull at .452".



First shots were fired @ 100 yards, trusting blind luck to hit T-1 steel ram. PC 279-283 grain SWC Hollow Point Plain Base, deep seated over 13.1/HS-6 in Speer nickel .45 Colt case, with WLP primer. COL=1.520". The ram is painted white, bright in the afternoon sun. A black or dark target might not show in photograph. Revolver: FA M83 4-3/4" with .45 Colt cylinder. Leupold 4x28mm LER scope with target turrets and Duplex reticle. Leupold Dual Dovetail rings in Leupold FA base. (Photo is posed, as two hands used in shooting.)



100 yards: M83 with PC 280 SWC HP Plain Base deep seated over 13.1/HS-6.
Shot #1----just into belly. Raise scope 12-clicks. Leupold target knobs on 4x LER move POI 1/2" per click @ 100 yds.



PC 280 SWC HP Plain Base deep seat over 13.1/HS-6, M83 .45 Colt.
100 yards
4x4=4.2"
3x4=2.2"



Ruger 03 .45C with PC 285 SWC HP deep seat over 13.1/HS-6. Three shots offhand 50 yards to check sight dope.



Ruger 03 .45 Colt with five shots from trunnion rest, Powder Coat 280 SWC HP Plain Base deep seated over 13.1/HS-6. Crimp above front band, COL=1.520".

100 yards
5x5=5.2"
4x5=3.7"


Offhand: 3x3=6.0" @ 100 yards. Ruger 03 with PC 280 SWC HP over 13.1/HS-6.



Last shots of a beautiful day, just after sunset, from rest @ 100 yards. Ruger 03 factory Bisley Blackhawk .45 Colt with 5-1/2" barrel, Super Redhawk front sight. Ruger shortened the Maximum ejector 1/4-inch to completely clear mag-length Colt brass. Powder Coat .452" 280 SWC HP Plain Base, deep seated over 13.1?HS-6 in Federal brass, with Winchester Large Pistol primer.



-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[sixshot]

Thats some awfully good shooting Lee, especially at 100-120 yds. Some months back I sent you some 44 caliber powder coated bullets that you shot really well, could you re-post that photo & the load you used. Thanks,

Dick

[bradshaw]

D-i-c-k.... spoke at length with Lee last night after he posted these photo pieces on Powder Coat. There is much to learn, leastwise for this shooter. Figured I'd jump right in and start at 100 yards.
David Bradshaw

[sixshot]

Looks like I'm going to have to change my name again...... I very much agree the bake time is the key, bringing that BHN down & then giving it a protective "hide" to ride on down the bore was a real eye opener when I first started pushing them. I was almost afraid to post the results because the non believers would hit the keyboard like a fat girl on a pork chop!

Dick.....Duck

[bradshaw]

Dick.... after four attempts to prevent this computer from rewriting your name, let us hope this bastard computer stops recreating my lingo. And, yes, I for one share your finding of a major unintended benefit of the powder coat process.
David Bradshaw

[sixshot]

David, several times I've mentioned that the powder coat process is the "poor" mans gas check, but it goes one step further. Its also as good or better than a hollow point, there's really no need for a hollow point with these bullets, & high velocity can be tamed a bit to suit the shooters recoil tolerance, something I've preached for many years. You can't kill what you can't hit!
Your shooting ability is helping a lot of the newcomers find out what we've been trying to say for several months now. Back in 2013 when I first saw PC bullets in Wickenburg, AZ I was stunned by what was going on but no one was making them, they were just buying them so it was a slow process to root out the secrets to making them & mistakes were made, but it was fun. Just like the early days of Handgun Silhouette back in 76. Bought a bottle of Harbor Freight Red in Phoenix while I was down there & the race was on! Thanks for some amazing shooting and your insight. I'm still waiting for the man with no neck to jump on board, that will make my day & save him hundreds in GC's!!

Duck......Dick

[Lee Martin]

Nov 2, 2015 1:20:14 GMT -5 sixshot said:

Some months back I sent you some 44 caliber powder coated bullets that you shot really well, could you re-post that photo & the load you used. Thanks,

Dick

Here you go Dick. The load was 6.0 of Green Dot for 900 fps. This is the tightest group shot to date with the gun at 50 yards:





The bullet on the left is Leadhead's 250 Keith



I still have your PC 385 gr 475's. Hope to try them soon in the Ruger 480.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[sixshot]

And the taller sights are done we are just waiting to get them blued, the guy has been slow this time & I'm leaving tomorrow for 2 weeks. Hoping to have them shipped to me in South Carolina, if not I hope you guys are patient until I get home, sorry. Amazing shooting with iron sights!

Dick

[Markbo]

I am surprised store bought boolits were used and not home cast. Any idea on BHN? FWIW I foresee no need in MY life to ever shoot a tighter 50 yard group than that. That is good shooting, no matter the caliber or coating!

[bradshaw]

Romping Ruger.... here is a piece which includes dope on DEEP SEATING cast .452 280 SWC HP----albeit PowderCoat. To drop recoil, I would reduce charge of HS-6 from reported 13.1 grains to 11.5/HS-6 and target. Dick Thompson and Jeff Hoover and I agree: heating the powder coated bullet to 400 degrees for 20 minutes----to melt and fuze the powder----anneals the bullet, restoring plastic behavior. For critters my sights tend to engage, a welcome feature.
David Bradshaw

[cmh]

Now Im prolly reading this wrong but you can powder coat and bake a lead bullet and do away with the lubing process??

[BigBore44]

David
Happen to have the link?

Thanks
Ray
BigBore44

[bradshaw]

cmh.... Jeff Hoover, a.k.a. Tank, clearly explains POWDER COATING in various threads on Singleactions. The bullets shoot, they don't lead the bore, and fouling nearly disappears. You don't rub grease and lead into your fingers. The only problem is, when you pull a powder coat round from a belt loop to sign a check at the bank, the teller is apt to think you're using invisible ink, as there is no lead signature to read.

Ray, a.k.a. BigBore44.... do you refer to this very article, Vol. LXXXII (82)? These PC 280 SWC HP Plain Base work well, but...

they ain't as sweet as the 330 SWC PB (NEI 310) deep seated over 10.5 or 10.7/HS-6. Very quiet load, with the recoil of a pillow. Behind 330-335 grains of forty-five.
David Bradshaw

[cmh]

Thanks Mr Bradshaw

[Rompin Ruger]

Apr 14, 2016 10:37:56 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

Romping Ruger.... here is a piece which includes dope on DEEP SEATING cast .452 280 SWC HP----albeit PowderCoat. To drop recoil, I would reduce charge of HS-6 from reported 13.1 grains to 11.5/HS-6 and target. Dick Thompson and Jeff Hoover and I agree: heating the powder coated bullet to 400 degrees for 20 minutes----to melt and fuze the powder----anneals the bullet, restoring plastic behavior. For critters my sights tend to engage, a welcome feature.
David Bradshaw

Thank you, David.

I don't PC but I use the Hi-Tec process from Aussie land... tumble coat, dry, bake, repeat.  I've used the 270-SAA from RCBS so coated with Red Copper and 19.0 gr. of Li'l Gun shoot rather well at closer range... Sized after ensuring coating is bonded well, size to .452...had cylinders reamed .4525,as they were very tight and FC and Barrel thread area are same as bore...452

This is an incredible site full of a wealth of data...  Sometimes, some of the terms elude me since I'm a pup when it comes to SA Revolvers, and all the specialization you gents do, albeit I'm a bit long in the tooth otherwise,...In my po' bo experience, I  bought factory guns, loaded jacketed and my own cast and shot stuff... I mostly use my guns for deer hunting...  And some "walk-up" ground hog hunting.  Back in PA.  I Haven't found places to woodchuck hunt here in NE TN... 

Thanks for sharing!!!