Bullet Casting & Coating MegaThread

Im still wondering why the urge for “harder” alloy?
Testing.

I’ve got good fit in that barrel so just going to try going with a harder bullet to see if it makes a difference.

I’ve tried multiple different sizes and the leading is reduced at .358. I also added 3 coats of Hi-Tek and that reduced it some.

So, just trying some different things to have zero leading. The leading now is not bad and can easily be cleaned with a bronze brush after 100 rds. It’s not a big deal but I do want to see a clean barrel like I get in 45.
 
Testing.

I’ve got good fit in that barrel so just going to try going with a harder bullet to see if it makes a difference.

I’ve tried multiple different sizes and the leading is reduced at .358. I also added 3 coats of Hi-Tek and that reduced it some.

So, just trying some different things to have zero leading. The leading now is not bad and can easily be cleaned with a bronze brush after 100 rds. It’s not a big deal but I do want to see a clean barrel like I get in 45.
Fast powder in a 9mm chamber with a short leade will plow back the coating before it starts engraving giving you some leading.

I use the slowest powder I can for the bullet weight so that the bullet is just kissing the leade when the pressure really starts to build.
 
Fast powder in a 9mm chamber with a short leade will plow back the coating before it starts engraving giving you some leading.

I use the slowest powder I can for the bullet weight so that the bullet is just kissing the leade when the pressure really starts to build.
I did try HS-6 which is slower than super fast Titegroup and it looked a little better but not perfect.

I even bought an original Star .358 sizing die to size and lube some bullets to see if that works better.

This is why I wanted to finish all my 45 rounds and get them done and off the queue.
 
I did try HS-6 which is slower than super fast Titegroup and it looked a little better but not perfect.

I even bought an original Star .358 sizing die to size and lube some bullets to see if that works better.

This is why I wanted to finish all my 45 rounds and get them done and off the queue.
HS-6 sits right with autocomp,cfe pistol and silhouette - can't get much slower in 9mm
 
Testing.

I’ve got good fit in that barrel so just going to try going with a harder bullet to see if it makes a difference.

I’ve tried multiple different sizes and the leading is reduced at .358. I also added 3 coats of Hi-Tek and that reduced it some.

So, just trying some different things to have zero leading. The leading now is not bad and can easily be cleaned with a bronze brush after 100 rds. It’s not a big deal but I do want to see a clean barrel like I get in 45.
I need to ask , how do you get leading with the godsend they call HiTek?
 
Fast powder in a 9mm chamber with a short leade will plow back the coating before it starts engraving giving you some leading.

I use the slowest powder I can for the bullet weight so that the bullet is just kissing the leade when the pressure really starts to build.
Really I thought the hi tek held up to that?

Hmm im wondering if my soft lead , LLA and clays powder puffs has just enough tumble lube on the driving band to keep leading at bay.
?
Let me ask you. Do you get excessive copper build up from jacketed ammo with the fast powders?
 
Loaded up my remaining 230 gn RN from an RCBS mold. These are all SPP since those primers are cheaper now

With 4.5 gn of Titegroup and lube, these are like black powder at the range. No one comes near me 🤣

View attachment 891715
I shot my 625 last week with lubed bullet and they were so Smoky and smelled sooo good. I loved it.
Getting ready to load some more 45’s with 200gr SWC… just gave the old 1911 a much needed cleaning. She was a little dirty but fully functional.

View attachment 891730
That’s the beauty of lube. They just keep running. They look nasty but the keep running!
 
Testing.

I’ve got good fit in that barrel so just going to try going with a harder bullet to see if it makes a difference.

I’ve tried multiple different sizes and the leading is reduced at .358. I also added 3 coats of Hi-Tek and that reduced it some.

So, just trying some different things to have zero leading. The leading now is not bad and can easily be cleaned with a bronze brush after 100 rds. It’s not a big deal but I do want to see a clean barrel like I get in 45.
I have a test for you
Take your coated bullets and give them a swirl in lee tumble lube….
 
I have a test for you
Take your coated bullets and give them a swirl in lee tumble lube….
I shot my 625 last week with lubed bullet and they were so Smoky and smelled sooo good. I loved it.

That’s the beauty of lube. They just keep running. They look nasty but the keep running!
You guys are making me want to get a 9mm and start running cast exclusively from new and see what happens. Lol
 
Really I thought the hi tek held up to that?

Hmm im wondering if my soft lead , LLA and clays powder puffs has just enough tumble lube on the driving band to keep leading at bay.
?
Let me ask you. Do you get excessive copper build up from jacketed ammo with the fast powders?
I used plated bullets before cast in the same gun and never had a problem with the same powder (Titegroup).

I have the tumble lube as well so will try that to see how it works.
 
Really I thought the hi tek held up to that?

Hmm im wondering if my soft lead , LLA and clays powder puffs has just enough tumble lube on the driving band to keep leading at bay.
?
Let me ask you. Do you get excessive copper build up from jacketed ammo with the fast powders?
Hitek helps but it's not a fix all

jacketed copper acts quite different than cast lead or even plated

Powder puff loads are different than a full speed load - peak pressures are lower and happen later in the burn

I don't have clays data but Lovex S015 is the fastest in GRT.

A powder puff load has about the same peak pressure time and early pressures as the very slow (for caliber) Silhouette.
Cranking up the pressure with the fast powder the peak happens much earlier and the pressure rise is faster

Notice all three burnout before the bullet exits the barrel so you get 100% burn with reduced flash and report (but less with the faster powder)
 

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I had about 5lbs of pewter that went in with the 1st 2 buckets, about 3lbs in the next 2 buckets and none in the last bucket. Definitely not enough but i couldn't do it all in 1 go and didn't realize how much lead I had. I have a bunch of pewter that I melted into coin size ingots that I can add later to my pots when casting bullets. Not scientific at all.
 
I had about 5lbs of pewter that went in with the 1st 2 buckets, about 3lbs in the next 2 buckets and none in the last bucket. Definitely not enough but i couldn't do it all in 1 go and didn't realize how much lead I had. I have a bunch of pewter that I melted into coin size ingots that I can add later to my pots when casting bullets. Not scientific at all.
Good enough!
Add a little till the fill out looks good.
Whenever my big old 45 calibers look a little off I add some pewter or solder and they look lathe turned.
 
I just scooped them all in a 5gal pail and it is easily 50lbs. If I don't clean the steel, dross, wood, and rubber out, will they still pay me for it?
I sooped the jackets and shook them clean and put them in their own bucket filled with dish soap and water
That was the extent of any cleaning. Other than the magnet sweep.
Im fortunate enough to have a scrap yard very local and dont need to go out of my way , efen if they gave me .20/lb still better than throwing it away.

I also keep saying to myself that I’m gonna pick up will make a smelter that’s capable of melting copper just for the fun of it
 


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