My results with Hunter's Supply Slick Coat Bullets

[eisenhower]

I think I've discovered something interesting.

I'm new to reloading and have been reloading .44-40 and .44 Magnum for a Colt SAA and Ruger Bisley, respectively.

I've tried bullets in .427" and .429" in the Colt and .430" and .431" in the Bisley. I've used bullets from Hunter's Supply (their Slick Coat, poly coated lead) as well as Lightning, Oregon Trail, Missouri Bullet and Acme.

I've gone from sizing the bullets to the bore size to sizing them to the cylinder mouths but have been frustrated that I've been getting leading with all of them EXCEPT the Hunter's Supply bullets. But the caveat here is that in order to not get leading from the Hunter's Supply I have to lube them with SPG Lube, which, theoretically, they are not supposed to need. But if I shoot the Hunter's Supply bullets without the lube, I get leading; if I lube them, they shoot lead free in my Colt SAA in either .427" or .429". I'm waiting on some Hunter's Supply bullets to try in the Bisley to fully test my theory. In that pistol, so far, Missouri Bullet and Oregon Trail pre-lubed bullets have given me leading issues.

So, anecdotally, I can shoot my Colt clean with Hunter's Supply and SPG lube. Hoping the same applies to the Bisley. The only annoying thing is lubing the bullets is a real pain I was hoping to avoid with pre-lubed bullets, but it seems like the lubes on the pre-lubed bullets just aren't working for me. Only the SPG, which is softer and stickier, seems to give me a clean bore.

I'm using Titegroup, BTW, so there's a chance I suppose that this fast burning powder may be working against me, but my first choice, Unique, is simply unobtanium at the moment and Titegroup was available.

DeWayne

[bigbore5]

That's why I started powder coating. I still lube/size all my bullets with LBT blue soft lube. No leading in any loads.

[bitterroot]

I don't know the particulars for any of the bullets you mention, but if you are sure they are properly sized for your firearm then another critical consideration is the pressure of your load in relation to the hardness of your bullet. As the BHN goes up, it takes more pressure to get the lead alloy to obturate to the bore/throat, and without this obturation you will likely get leading. A bullet that obturates properly and seals the bore will also improve your accuracy.
Just more food for thought....

[Professor]

Powder coat is the answer. You are buying commercial bullets, buy them coated. Bayou Bullets, Bad Man bullets, acme and missouri have all sent me excellent quality with no leading.

[eisenhower]

The Hunter's Supply bullets ARE powder coated. It's a clear, polymer coat they call "Slick Coat." Their Brinell Hardness is 22.

That's my point - they supposedly don't need to be lubed, but I've found (in my very limited experience) that I get leading unless I lube them too. But when I do, I don't get any leading, whereas when I use other bullets like Acme and Lightning that are pre-lubed, I will still get leading.

I got leading with the "naked" Hunter's Supply bullets even with 6.2 grains of Titegroup, which is very near the max load, so the pressure was there. The bullets are .429, which matches my cylinder throats - bore is .427".

At any rate, I'm happy to have a combo that shoots clean - just wish I could avoid that messy lubing process. Takes me about an hour to hand lube, size, clean 50 bullets versus just plopping in pre-lubed bullets.

[470evans]

I have recently been using Matt's Bullets as I got tired of casting. Matt says they are a 11BHN and I'm getting no leading. I buy them powder coated and unsized allowing me to size them to fit my guns. I size them to fit my chamber mouths so on my Colts that is typically .456 for the 45 Colt.

I have been pleased with them.

Here is last night's result with a Colt New Frontier I just picked up, haven't had a chance to adjust the sights yet.




Here is the same bullet in a different New Frontier.

[sixshot]

22 BHN is too hard for most shooting & you are getting gas cutting. Unless you are really leaning on your loads don't buy bullets that hard & try to shoot them slow/medium. A bullet that's 8-9 BHN & powder coated will cover most of your shooting needs. As your velocity goes up, then the hardness needs to go with it but a 22 BHN is very seldom needed.

Dick

[Odin]

Dick is spot on and 470evans has a very workable solution. I'd opt for some softer slugs.

I've had success with hard bullets at low velocity, but I consider that experience a simple case of beginner's luck. Right gun, right bullet, but I wouldn't think it would work on a regular basis...

[eisenhower]

OK, I understand what you're saying about the Hunter's Supply being too hard at BH 22.

But in the Colt SAA I was shooting Acme (BH 16), Lightning (BH 18) and also getting leading. Would those be considered too hard as well? Granted, those were in .427" which may have been a bit under-sized for the cylinder mouths and bore.

In the Bisley, I was shooting Oregon Trail (BH 15) at nearly max velocity and getting leading. Too hard?

And if these are too hard, why are these folks selling these bullets at this higher-end BH?

[pbcaster45]

I’ve had good results in my USFA Single Action and Winchester 73 with bullets from Desperado Cast Bullets.

cowboybullets.com/44-cal-200-grain_p_21.html

[eisenhower]

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll give those bullets a try!

[45MAN]

eisenhower: WHEN SIXSHOT SPEAKS ABOUT CAST BULLETS YOU NEED TO LISTEN AND BELIEVE.

I ALWAYS FELT LIKE OTBC BULLETS WERE "LEADers" IN ALL CALIBERS AND REVOLVERS I TRIED 'em IN AND WOULD GENERALLY CLEAN THE BARRELS AFTER EVERY RANGE SESSION. DO NOT KNOW WHY, MAYBE THE SILVER CONTENT, WHO KNOWS.

[eisenhower]

It's not that I'm not listening or not believing. I'm trying to understand.

Additionally, until pbcaster offered up the Desperado link, I didn't even know I could buy off-the-shelf bullets softer than what I've been trying.

I'm still in the early days of my reloading journey ... just trying to find bullets that don't lead.

[bula]

Consumers have been led to believe they need "Hard Cast". So they ask for hard cast. Folks selling trying to sell them what they think they want. Wish that term hadn't been born. Their is a best bet range for different uses. Actual BHN's I'll leave to those that know more. 

[z1r]

Jul 12, 2024 10:01:06 GMT -5 eisenhower said:

The Hunter's Supply bullets ARE powder coated. It's a clear, polymer coat they call "Slick Coat." Their Brinell Hardness is 22.

That's my point - they supposedly don't need to be lubed, but I've found (in my very limited experience) that I get leading unless I lube them too. But when I do, I don't get any leading, whereas when I use other bullets like Acme and Lightning that are pre-lubed, I will still get leading.

I got leading with the "naked" Hunter's Supply bullets even with 6.2 grains of Titegroup, which is very near the max load, so the pressure was there. The bullets are .429, which matches my cylinder throats - bore is .427".

At any rate, I'm happy to have a combo that shoots clean - just wish I could avoid that messy lubing process. Takes me about an hour to hand lube, size, clean 50 bullets versus just plopping in pre-lubed bullets.

6.2 gr may be max pressure for the .44-40 at around 12-13,000 psi, but that is too low a pressure for a 22 BHN bullet. You need a bullet half that hard.