Author Topic: Powder coated slugs? (Read 2662 times))

notshootingbunnies · « **on:** December 08, 2020, 11:01:08 PM »

Greetings!

With my bulldog, I have been shooting 115 grain NOE slugs (HP). I had not thought to powdercoat them, and was using PC specifically for PBS.

With my research into the topic for PBS, I discovered that powder coated bulled provided faster velocities compared to the “same mass” lubed lead bullets.

In all cases the powder coated bullets shot faster. I am not sure if the reason is because the mass of the bullet is different because of the difference in density and the volume of the powder coating vs pure lead, resulting in a lower mass, and higher velocity as a result.

In either case, the difference was fairly substantial- iirc, about 50 FPS difference between powder coated and lubed lead.

I’m wondering if anyone here has tested the velocity of powder coated cast slugs vs just cast slugs?

Best & thanks,
Jane.

EdinGa · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2020, 11:07:37 PM »

I powder coat all my cast bullets, but my 30 gr BTTs shoot great as cast, so I haven't bought any sizing bushings for them. I did try powder coating a few, but they were hard to chamber and shot slower. If they were sized, that may not be the case.

steveoh · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2020, 12:48:42 AM »

I powder coat my bullets ranging from .257 to .575.

Ford Light Blue gives me the best coverage.

YouTube has a lot of good videos on the subject. Checkout ElvisAmmo, and FortuneCookie45LC.

Velocity is about the same as straight lead with 10weight silicone oil lube. I also lube the PC bullets and size them. A huge advantage of living and PC is the prevention of leading in big bores. This saves me substantial time cleaning barrels after a day of shooting.

notshootingbunnies · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2021, 10:20:31 PM »

Yeah, I shoot pc slugs only, I just don’t have a velocity comparison for bare lead, no lube vs powder coated ones from airguns.

Firewalker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2021, 03:49:16 PM »

38gr .215 slugs cut from .224 boolits. Shooting ok but need to open the sizing die .002.

Smoke4320 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2021, 08:32:08 AM »

Powdercoating and sizing your big bore projectiles will eliminate all the leading and in most cases add 4 to 5% in velocity from reduced friction.
Some history for you. First I have not been in the airgun world much but now trying to learn all I can. My emphasis will be big bore in the beginning. Got a Sam Yang(Seneca) Dragon Claw 50 here now and a Texan 457 Ss CF on the way.
Also forgive me if I use some incorrect terms as agaIn I am new to the airgun world but a powderburner and reloader for over 40 years and a competitive shooter for many of those.
Now on to powdercoating. I have been selling Hi Quality NEW production PC powder all over the world for over 6 years now and have literally thousands of customers who will back up what I say.
Follow the proper application instructions, then proper sizing to bore and you WILL reap the benefits.
Sizing is a simple as a push thru sizer from Lee Precision or a NOE molds sizing kit.

EdinGa · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2021, 09:03:13 AM »

Quote from: Smoke4320 on February 15, 2021, 08:32:08 AM

Powdercoating and sizing your big bore projectiles will eliminate all the leading and in most cases add 4 to 5% in velocity from reduced friction.
Some history for you. First I have not been in the airgun world much but now trying to learn all I can. My emphasis will be big bore in the beginning. Got a Sam Yang(Seneca) Dragon Claw 50 here now and a Texan 457 Ss CF on the way.
Also forgive me if I use some incorrect terms as agaIn I am new to the airgun world but a powderburner and reloader for over 40 years and a competitive shooter for many of those.
Now on to powdercoating. I have been selling Hi Quality NEW production PC powder all over the world for over 6 years now and have literally thousands of customers who will back up what I say.
Follow the proper application instructions, then proper sizing to bore and you WILL reap the benefits.
Sizing is a simple as a push thru sizer from Lee Precision or a NOE molds sizing kit.

I've been casting and shooting soft lead boolits for a long time. Powder coat acts like a jacket, but doesn't add hardness or friction. I don't know who decided to try it first, but it has allowed me to do things I never thought possible with cast lead.

Welcome to the airgun world Mr. Smoke. We're glad to have you.

Smoke4320 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2021, 09:35:30 AM »

Not sure who started it exactly either but a fellow who goes by bangrerjim claims credit for the shake and bake or dry tumble method.
I picked it up early and posted a lot of testing results for velocity gains/lack of leading/ and forget BHN.
At first I was called every name in the book till other started to try and prove me wrong.
Now that's all proven correct and many many lubers have converted to pc.
It eliminates so many issues. Now you don't worry how hot or cold it is to pick which lube to use. Bullets will store forever in exact same condition. No lube to clean out of dies or gun or fingers. Or bullet storage boxes.
Oh and your bore will be as clean after shooting 200 bullets as you started
Just so so many advantages

Firewalker · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2021, 09:46:36 AM »

SMOKE! Welcome aboard!

Quote from: Smoke4320 on February 15, 2021, 08:32:08 AM

Powdercoating and sizing your big bore projectiles will eliminate all the leading and in most cases add 4 to 5% in velocity from reduced friction.
Some history for you. First I have not been in the airgun world much but now trying to learn all I can. My emphasis will be big bore in the beginning. Got a Sam Yang(Seneca) Dragon Claw 50 here now and a Texan 457 Ss CF on the way.
Also forgive me if I use some incorrect terms as agaIn I am new to the airgun world but a powderburner and reloader for over 40 years and a competitive shooter for many of those.
Now on to powdercoating. I have been selling Hi Quality NEW production PC powder all over the world for over 6 years now and have literally thousands of customers who will back up what I say.
Follow the proper application instructions, then proper sizing to bore and you WILL reap the benefits.
Sizing is a simple as a push thru sizer from Lee Precision or a NOE molds sizing kit.

Firewalker · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2021, 09:48:25 AM »

Smokes clear is 'da bomb!

steveoh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2021, 10:21:47 AM »

I have bought PC from you Smoke. Good stuff. Ford Light Blue is the best Covering and least finicky color I’ve used yet. I have a desire for a good bright Orange but have yet to find one that gives good even coating.

Fouling was a problem with all my big bores till I started lubing with 10wgt Silicone Oil. Then I discovered PC and and got even better results. I will admit still using a light coat of silicone oil on my PC for even better results. I’m completely sold on PC.

EdinGa · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2021, 10:42:12 AM »

I've been buying my powder from a fellow named Grmps, but I've heard nothing but great things about Smoke's powders too.

If you like Ford light blue, try Eastwood squirrel gray. It's just as good. Mixing colors is addictive too. In order to keep things airgun related, I'll show some Daisy BBs I coated with a blend.

notshootingbunnies · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2021, 01:42:08 AM »

Smoke4320,

The typical figure of 4-5% increase in velocity is the sort of information I was seeking. Thank you very much for your contribution!

Best,
Jane.

Smoke4320 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2021, 07:43:01 AM »

Noshootbunnies.
The 4 to 5 % figure has been proven many times in powderburners. I am just getting into airguns and as of yet not tested for velocity increases at the slower airgun speeds.
I am sure there will be some increase because of reduced friction but how much I hope to determine in the somewhat near future.
First testing will be a Seneca Dragon claw with a just ordered Accurate Molds 180 grn and a TC 370 gr Maxi ball. Then as soon as they will ship my Airforce Texan 457 SS CF testing will be done with various 300 to 400 grn bullet/slugs
Just wast to be as up front as possible here

Mark Davis · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2021, 11:28:52 AM »

I want to vouch for Smoke too. Bought 4 lbs of powder coat from him several years ago, not going to run out for a long time.

Smoke4320 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2021, 11:34:21 AM »

So how do you edit a post here ? I must be missing something
nevermind I just found it
Thanks anyway

Insanity · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2021, 01:19:43 PM »

Quote from: Smoke4320 on February 20, 2021, 11:34:21 AM

So how do you edit a post here ? I must be missing something
nevermind I just found it
Thanks anyway

You have a short timeframe to edit your self then you will need to contact a mod.

SteveB · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2021, 01:08:31 AM »

I switched to coated bullets recently, mostly for safer handling of bullets. I shoot 1000's of rounds per weekend so I started to get concerned of possibility of heavy metal issues. I tried powder coating but never got smooth beautiful bullets like the ford blue ones in the post above. So I went the hi tech coating route it seems easy enough and is less messy. The coating is tough and slick to the touch. Seem to be accurate also.

Cableaddict · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2021, 01:00:34 AM »

Quote from: Smoke4320 on February 20, 2021, 07:43:01 AM

Noshootbunnies.
The 4 to 5 % figure has been proven many times in powderburners. I am just getting into airguns and as of yet not tested for velocity increases at the slower airgun speeds.
I am sure there will be some increase because of reduced friction but how much I hope to determine in the somewhat near future.
First testing will be a Seneca Dragon claw with a just ordered Accurate Molds 180 grn and a TC 370 gr Maxi ball. Then as soon as they will ship my Airforce Texan 457 SS CF testing will be done with various 300 to 400 grn bullet/slugs
Just wast to be as up front as possible here

Interesting topic.

I have been "coating" my 36gr .25 cal slugs with teflon spray (I use TriFlow) and did notice a very slight increase in velocity. IIRC it was only about 10 fps. I assume that small increase is due to less air escaping around the sides of the slug, not less friction. Raw, soft lead is pretty slippery stuff. AFAIK, power burners use a pretty HARD lead, plus they leave other, nasty residue, wheres air rifles just have that nice, slippery stuff.

My chrony broke (I dropped it) so I can't re-test the TriFlow thing right now, but someone else surely can.

And results would probably differ with different ammo & different barrels, since they all have different fits.

-------------------

With the powder coating, I'd be interested if it affects accuracy at all:

Does it minimize the effects of the rifling, which are minimal to start with in a pcp gun?
Does it hurts the slug's ability to pass easily through the choke?

I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Smoke4320 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2021, 08:12:41 AM »

I hope to be testing today the differences in both speed and accuracy of 3 different projectiles in pc'ed and plain lead.
This will be from a tethered 457 Texan.

When my 25 cal Airforce Condor 25 SS arrives I intend to repeat same pc'ed verses plain testing. In the 25 cal I only have 1 projectile to test at the moment plus will need to find the correct bore sizing die/bushing as well

Thank you to our advertisers!

Powder coated slugs?

Author Topic: Powder coated slugs? (Read 2662 times))