Bullet style for Powder coating

Lee Liquid Alox and all other lubes applications.
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horseman
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Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by horseman »

I asked about powder coating bullets several months ago and received some great instructions on "how to" (thread is a couple lines down). I haven't done any as yet, haven't done any casting period but cooler weather is coming on fast so it's time to start. However I need to buy a couple bullet molds, 9mm and 45acp, and will use Lee molds for a start. My question is two fold, favorite molds in these calibers...and...do you prefer a tumble lube design or regular lube groove style for powder coating? Was thinking 125gr for 9mm but haven't decided between a 200 or 230gr 45 acp. I have never cast for either of these calibers. The 45 has a bore of .452 (slugged) not sure of the nine, It's a Ruger SR9c and my experience with Ruger is they make their barrels "tight". Thanks for any advise.
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GasGuzzler
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by GasGuzzler »

I have a 200 and a 230 for 45 AUTO. I have a 115 that drops close to 120 for 9X19. I don't need super high velocity from either of these so I use tumble lube groove bullets. For .357 and rifle cartridges I use some of each...generally gas checked and traditional lube groove for higher velocities.
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by Macd »

GasGuzzler wrote:I have a 200 and a 230 for 45 AUTO. I have a 115 that drops close to 120 for 9X19. I don't need super high velocity from either of these so I use tumble lube groove bullets. For .357 and rifle cartridges I use some of each...generally gas checked and traditional lube groove for higher velocities.
+1
My limited experience agrees.
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by mikld »

Just my experience, but I have PCed both the T/L bullets and traditional lube bullets and couldn't tell any difference. My Lee 45 ACP PCed bullets are the 200 gr 452-SWC, TL452-230 2R, and the 452-230-TC. All have been cast and traditionally lubed, and all have been PCed. Perhaps I'm not a good enough marksman to see any accuracy difference, but the performance between T/L design and lube groove design is negligible, in my experience.

My favorite 9mm cast bullet, either lubed or PCed is the Lee 358-125-RF. I use this bullet in 4, 9mms, 2, 38 Specials, and one 357 Magnum...
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by RBHarter »

Several makers , NOE , Accurate and Arsenal off the top make slick sides specific for PC . I think I would choose a tumble lube is I were going to PC .
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by horseman »

Thanks for the replies men. Think I'll look at the 125gr. .358 mold and a 200gr. TL for the 45acp. Start small and work up :D as I get into this powder coating stuff. Goin' shopping Monday.
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by reloader762 »

Any style cast lead bullet will work with powder coating. I have bullets of the tumble lube, standard grease groove as well as slick sided / no lube groove design and they all take PC just fine.

Favorite 9 mm molds

Lee six cavity .356 120 gr. TC, cast closer to .358, PC and size to .357"
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NOE 130 gr. HP, cast at .358", PC and size to .357"
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Favorite 45 ACP molds. All bullets powder coated and sized to .452"
Lee TL .452 - 230 gr. TC.
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Lee TL 230 gr. RN
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Lee .452 - 200 gr. SWC
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NOE TL .452" - 220 gr. HP
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Re: Bullet style for Powder coating

Post by farmerjim »

by mikld » Oct 3rd, '20, 11:58 "My favorite 9mm cast bullet, either lubed or PCed is the Lee 358-125-RF. I use this bullet in 4, 9mms, 2, 38 Specials, and one 357 Magnum..."
+1
It will also work in a 380 and 357 Max.
I use 2 of the 6 cavity molds at the same time to speed up output.
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