Elvis, I've tried the slower powder concept myself very recently. I'm using the same Lee bullet, PC'd, sized .225" over Shooters World Tactical Rifle powder. Rifle is a 1-8 twist, 16" carbine also. Still working on my ladder of loads, but it's showing real promise. I started at 16.0 gr. and worked up to 18.0 and it keeps getting better! I have the next 4 loads in .5 gr steps ready for testing as soon as I can get to the range. Love your detailed work, you've pushed things out front a bit. Keep up the good work!
I've been using 15.5gr of 1680 or 4198, only 2285fps but they cycle flawless and my favorite target loads. My goal is just to conserve powder, always love your vids dude. I'm finally getting into black powder, have everything I need except cant find my rubber canister for the rock tumbler. Cast some 28BHN .490 balls for the mill, going to hydraulic press into pucks for more density.
I wish I had learned everything I know with a professor like you man! Explaining everything distinctly, succinctly, sufficiently. On point, and multi explanatory without repetition. Expecting consistency over perfection , leaving room for countermeasure. Very well done sir!
14.7 grains IMR 4227 gives me 2/3 inch groups at 50 yds and 2350 fps in my 1:9 twist Ruger Mini 14 with that same powder coated lee bullet. The best part is that same powder works great for my 357 magnum, 300 blk and 7.62x39 loads too.
elvis ammo I ordered the NOE HTC225-60-RN 4 cavity PB mold when it was on sale for 20%, but I haven't cast any yet. I also have the lyman 225415, but I haven't tried that one yet either.
I now you did this video over a year ago sir . I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work . Write know I’m in the hospital I still have 5 more weeks there saying But I just wanted to thank you for keeping me Sane sir God Bless you Elvis Ammo
Good work Elvis, you put a lot of thought and effort into these projects. I know at some point in the brass prep for loading that you belled the mouth to accept the cast bullet and not shave any lead/coating from the bullet during seating, this is an important step.
Hey buddy.. I went sliding across the living Room I my socks with my coffee cup in hand to my E-Z Boy when your show came on after the Add was over. You know some people out there never thing about speed Vs. terminal Velocity. 2.500 fps isn't anything to mess with and as you point out there are plenty of uses for such a round. Varmint control at the farm, Practice. and instruction. This is where the bullet caster really has the advantage. Good video there Buddy. Dave.
hey Thorsaxe777! !! you the man, coffee in hand! (watching the show) ; ) ... it's not full speed 3200 fps or so ... but there is a better understanding of powder coated bullets trickling in! Thanks again Thorsaxe777 great to hear from ya as always!
elvis ammo You got it buddy, Have a good rest of labor Day with your Family and Hopefully you will have some leftover BBq to snack on tomorrow, Hehehe.. Have a good one Elvis. Dave.
Interesting. With the whole 2020 ammo/reloading supply shortage I've been researching how one might make ammo while using the least amount of sourced components as possible. I recently learned there are methods to reuse primers - not only the sketchy DIY methods, but there is an actual commercial product out there that sells you the stuff needed to mix up reliable priming compound. And, unlike primers, the re-priming mix is in stock and a few bags' worth would last a long time. Now it'd be great if I could find a good DIY recipe for propellant. Black powder is simple enough to make, but there's a reason semi-autos didn't come about until smokeless was invented. Black powder simply doesn't lend itself to reliable semi-automatic function. You need smokeless powder for that. Smokeless powder, though, is beyond the average person's ability to make. I'm hoping I'll find some sort of in-between - I understand in addition to 'black powder' there is 'white powder' and 'red powder'...so maybe there's a recipe out there somewhere that burns at the right velocity with the right gaseous to solid combustion products to cycle and allow a mag or two to be run through before it clogs everything up and needs cleaning. Making completely DIY ammo with the exception of the brass sounds like it would be a really fun project.
i heard that you could make a "basic" smokeless powder by washing nitrocellulose in acetone then cutting it into small bits, the rest would be adding stabilizers to prevent degéradation
I have been debating on trying cast powder coated .223 I have a 1/9 twist carbine length(that has never been the greatest at feeding, so it might get swapped out for a .300blk) a 1/8 twist middy and a 1/7 middy. I'm thinking it might be a bit of a challenge to get the faster twist mid length gas systems to work. By the way your video with the lee 312-160TL for .300 blackout got me thinking... I just powder coated gas checked and sized a bunch to .309 and I'm going to give them a shot in .300 savage. I enjoy your videos man great work!
hey dubthekid84... generally the 300blk likes the pistol legnth gas but shouldn't be a problem at all with supers. mine is 1/8 twist and my 223 is 1/8 so you got some savage round ready to go.... good deal. thanks for taking the time to comment on whatcha got going on! and thanks for watching. ...
I haven't tried powder coating the cast bullets but I think I will try it. I was using minimum load data with h335 and Lee lube. Just got 8lbs of varget to try with my cast bullets. Thanks for posting info when I started I couldn't find any info except don't shoot cast bullets in an AR
hey Leonard Spencer. .. that's pretty funny. .. I'm glad you're giving it a shot. .. whoever said don't shoot in an AR, I hope they see my new load I developed and will do a video on. 300 supersonic .. then I'll test it in the ballistic gel yo choose the right hardness! some good stuff coming up my friend. ... thanks for watching!
Hey Country Boy! yes... this is a interesting subject for me to... A lot to learn here. With powder coated bullets. new info is fluid....I know you are thinking about casting for the 30-30 as well..... Good luck and God bless!
Good to see your still alive Elvis & that funny dog of yours. Theres a guy on YT that shouted you out on his video using your powder coating method his YT name is Widow Maker.
I know this is an older video and I am currently looking through your lists to see if you have gone faster than 2500fps. I just wanted to say that I have been inspired with your videos and have been doing some testing of my own. I have recorded the same cast bullet, double powder coated with 24.8 grains of H335 at over 3,000 fps. Accuracy was decent at 50 yards, just a hair under an inch. Unfortunately 100 yards opened up a lot (3.5 inches). Hopefully when the weather here in NY warms up a bit I'll get some on video.
Yes. Once again another great informitive video. Im not gonna lie, I was having Elvis Ammo Reloading tips withdrawal. JK. ;) Happy Labor Day. Be safe and keep'm coming bro
@@elvisammo I just won a Lee C225-55-RF mold on eBay!! I’m looking forward to trying this load if I can find some powder which is almost impossible right now. Great video!
Elvis, Thanks for your response on the type of mold and how that bullet feeds with the ramps, that close up towards the end of the bullet was awesome in answering our questions. Ordered mold and should get started here soon. We will be messing around with CFE223. I cant say how excited we are to be able to cast 223 rounds and not have barrel lead! Not to mention knocking off 6-7 cents per round!!! One more question, do you PC the 223 the same way you did your 9mm in your PC in half the time video? Using the same sifting screen? if I missed the video of you giving a demo on the 223 I apologize! Jacketed bullets are going to be a thing of the past very soon.... Better learn now while the material is available. Thanks and God bless!
hey chong2mry. ... coat em the same way... I do have some other videos on powdercoat options. .. I thought someone would appreciate me showing that bullet after feeding. .. not bad huh? let me know how your loading project goes? thanks for watching!
23 grains of Winchester 748 C.O.A.L. = 2.1inches. Double powder coated cast lead bullet lee mold C225-55-RF 22 Caliber (225 Diameter). Size your bullets to .225, make sure to bell your case mouth and put a medium light crimp on case mouth. Your welcome.
I'm so glad I watched this video. I popped my cherry on a AR-15. I have 6 lbs of W748 and wanted some data on cast 55 gn Lee bullets. You gave it all to me in one video. I would love to load the 77 gn Elvis bullet from Arsenal molds. Do you have any data for that bullet with the same powder? I really fell in love with the rifle. It has a 18" 1-9 twist. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I plan on getting a 300 blackout in a 16" barrel. I'm going to buy a upper minus the BCG. Do you have a load for 748 for that round. I have a 150 gn .309 Lee mold. I might try a 125 mold. I hear it's a good weight for deer. Just looking for your opinion. I should look up the videos first. Thanks for everything. Happy Shooting.
Another good video. I use Varget. But I have never cast .223. Its good information on the cast bullet PC . When I get done fixin up this dang house I hope to try my luck with the 7.62x 39 123 grain cast PC this fall.
Great video Elvis, and your right on about Winchester 748 powder, been using it for years. But what I'd like to know is where did you find Loading Data for Lead Bullets...?
Hi elvis i realy like your videos and learned alot . Im sorry for asking a ridiculos question but its always in my mind so i appreciate if you can reply me . My question is why most of the casted bullets reloaded with fast burning powder which we use them in our 12 guage shotshell reloading ( alliant unique). Why dont use low burn powders as we use in reloading commercial bullets .
hey Rusty Shackleford...... I do believe I have a little more room at my feet than you! Our pups give us the calm we need while reloading! They never talk back and are all ears and wagging tails!!!! My very best friend..... the best to yours!!!!
elitenoob1147... Chances are he is using a gas check. Either that or purchasing some ULTRA hard lead to begin with but that is not really the cost savings approach. BHN and gas checks are still very important for Powder coated bullets.
I watched his other videos... not gas checked... mind boggling... I would like to see the video with the crony that says 2,500 just so I can crap my pants on the spot ;) Pretty amazing!
Could you please give more load details? I'm about to start reloading .223, and have decided that this is the load I want to start off with. I'm guessing that you're using the Lee C225-55-RF mold. Which primer are you using? Have you tried more than the blue from Eastwood? I'm curious if their powders are just generally easier to apply than HF powders. Thanks
Hi Elvis. Thank you for all the great videos! You said you use the hardest ingots for casting 223 boolits, but could you tell us the percentages? How hard is your lead mix? My range scrap lead is only @ 10 - 14 BH. How can i make it harder? What do i mix with it? You were a little vague and skipped over that part. Thanks again!
Hello elvis .ball powders are tricky with low density and other component`s then listed, thats why they specify the case and primer explicit. better use stick or flake powders for reduced loads ,yours
hey peteralexben. .. yes, thanks for bringing that up. They are also known to be temperature sensitive. .. best powder load would be a stick powder. .. thanks again for your good input! !!!
Hey I know this is an older video but do you harden them up a bit? I'm casting 30-30 Winchester 170 and 150 flat points with straight wheel weight lead...which I think is too dang soft for 2100fps with my lever-revolution powder. Accurate load but when I go to retrieve my lead I can't find them, it looks like their shredding themselves upon impact with any target I shoot them at. In my 45 straight wheel weights are great but theyre also moving about 1/3 the fps the 30-30 bullet is lol
I am attempting to duplicate what you have done in this video… I seem to have an issue though. I am new to powder coating. That alone may be my issue…I have powder coated the bullets with Eastwood green. They look great… What I’ve done just to check the strength of the coating, was to load them into a prepared case without a primer/powder, used a hammer style bullet puller to knock the bullet out, and looked at the bullet. It appears that the coating over the main drive ring has been mostly wiped off? My question is, should it still be on? If so, what am I doing wrong? I have even tried to slightly bevel the neck of the case so it would not rub the coding off while inserting or when the bullet was pulled. Coating appears to adhere well to the bullet, but obviously the friction against the neck or the edge of the case is removing some coating? Suggestions? Thanks.
Luv your channel ! Have you ever done a compariaon of your 55 gr Lee cast bullet, 2500fps, Win 748, 23 gr load with plain PC bullets, compaired to PC and a gas check applied ??? I'm asking about the difference in ; 1) Accuracy 2) Velocity 3) Fouling (leading) With the only difference being the addition of a gas check ??? So, in the long run, do you need gas checks when powder coating medium velocity rifle reloads. I'll soon be loading 5.56, 270 Win & 30-06 PC bullets. Thanks in advance for your answer & experience 👍
I'm glad I watched this video. I'm starting to load .223 and I was looking for a good mold. I think I will get the Lee 55gn. I bought a shitload of W748 and 231. do you have any experience with 7.62x51 or .308. I am going to use cast and don't know if I need a GC or not. What velocity can I expect. can I use the W748 on that too. I don't want to do and experimenting on my dad's Enfield. thanks grant
Hello Grant Atkinson, I wanted to share my info. I'm currently using NOE HTC 153gr 309 mold designed for PC. This mold so far works awsome on all 3 calibers I've tried; 300AAC, 30-06, 7.62x51. They recently came out with a boat tail version but no reviews yet. All grouping about an inch or under (still load developing). Alloy is Wheel weight water quenched and aged 2 weeks PC with eastwood. I recommend using a Hornaday modified case for OAL. I jump lands at 20 thousandths. The OAL of these bullets is shorter due to large ogive. Since these work so good I just purchased the .224 version of this mold
For someone who has an adjustable gas block, it's important to find one load that works very well to cycle the gun. A 2,500 fps round isn't what I want for an all-around load I'll be shooting. Any attempts to take these powder coated bullets to 3,100 fps?
Can you please do an update video on this and address some of the comments and questions in the Comments section? What size are you sizing them to, which sizer are you using, what have your results been using gas checks, powder coat before or after and how did that affect your results, what other powders have you used and how did they fair? Thank you in advance.
What alloy are you using? I haven't been able to get under 4 Moa accuracy. Im using a 50-50 ww-lino that works in my 308 but im about to lose all hope in the 223 cast
When we had the great powder, bullet fiasco back in 2013. Getting powders in Commiefornia was hard. I tried Alliant reloader 10x for my 223 and it was a dream to use. Now that was with FMJ Bullets. No discussion in the book about lead bullets. Which leads to my question. I know that lee mold uses gas checks. Are you using them on the bullet? If so do you put the on before or after you powder coat the bullets. I believe from the powder coating the bullet simulates the lead bullet being jacketed.
Great info Elvis... I use H335 for .223 fmj reloads which has a burn rate similar to your Winchester powder. I will soon cast & PC .223 55g boolits. I have 2 questions... 1) Do you gas check those pills or just PC and size? And, 2) How accurate are these at @ 100 yards, if tested? Thanks for the great R&D.
hey Mick9mm. ... I don't gas check or size these pills.... as far as accurate at 100 yrds not as good at 100 yrds as precision ammo. But thats up to the reloader to work on ... as you can imagine when you see my group that I shot at 30 yrds, you multiply by about 3 and you'll have an idea what a 100 yrd group looks like. .. in my case being off target with a non precision shooting ar and a shaky mess behind the trigger, with an optic ment for finding a large target. .. I do alright! ; )..... very acceptable accuracy! thanks for watching. .. and let me know how your reloading project goes?
I don't use them very often. mostly just for testing. But I have done it both ways, add it before then powder coat. Sometimes I find the check works good after. Depends on the bullet and the thickness of the powder coat. It's worth trying it both ways to see the best fit for the bullet.
hey treesablowin. ..... yes. I forgot to mention that important detail, definitely flair the case. I use the lee universal flairing die. Thanks again! !
There is a powder coat that is Teflon. It is supposed to be 35% less resistant. APP. www.allpowderpaints.com/powder-coating-colors/teflon-iridescent-yellow/
Are you still using this bullt/load for your .223? Are you putting gas checks on these bullets? Does the gas check go on before or after the powder coating?
Good day Mr Elvis Ammo. thanks a lot for all these nice videos. I have a few questions for the Expert. After powder coating, how long does it take to load these bullets?? Do we have to wait for curing???? When the bullets are all coated do we still need to add gaz checks if we want to go @ 2500fps ????? Thanks a lot for your help. Best regards. ( Mike)
Im having problems with small glass like beads left in the chamber and barrel that lock up the rounds chambering after going through a few rounds, hope you can help? Ive been using 25grains of CFE223 with blue powder coated 55grain cast boolets. I clean the beads out and still after a few rounds they are back.
Was wondering if you ever had a problem with powder coated bullets when your pressing the bullet it’s shaving the coating off. I feel like the taper is good for jacketed bullets, do I need more taper for powder coated bullets. 3:48
So my biggest question do these cycle in the AR?. I do lots of PC but now going into a small rifle concerns me. You noted 23gr with 748. I like to work with that just doing legwork before I start building some loads.. Thanks Bret
Hi Elvis. What do you think about mixing powder coat paint with fine aluminum powder/dust? 50/50 or 30/70 paint/aluminium. I'm thinking less paint left in barrel. More heat resistant. Making over all more tough coating. Any thoughts?
Ok, my whole question on this is WHY, if you are limiting you velocity than what is the point in practicing, you either have to adjust your sites to the different velocity at different distances or never use factory ammo on that weapon, I purchase .223 FMJ projectiles for $89 for 1,000 rounds, so at $0.08 per round that is way less than my time is worth to me, especially when it comes to the amount of time experimenting it takes to get the exact load needed to make it work, not to mention the danger in experimenting, they wrote those charge books for a reason, and it wasn't so you could experiment.Now don't get me wrong, I think the info is great, all I'm saying is that it isn't in the least bit cost effective like it is with pistol ammo.Now the 300 blk or the 308 may be different but I don't plan on shooting 500 rounds of that in quick succession.
Ron Detten are you suggesting using the factory ammo for home defensive type scenario vs. Cast? Most home invasions your "attacker" is going to be engaged T 25' or less. The impact point change from 2500 fps cast bullets to 3200 fps factory ammo will be moot at that distance. Some practice is better than no practice. I personally have guns to feed for 4 shooters. I can reload .233 using cast bullets at about $30/1k. Or $80/1k using wolf 55 grn bullets. Factory ammo is $210/1k. So I'll take whatever savings I can get and buy more components to keep my ammo cans stocked up. And if SHTF is anyone coming to take your life or liberty gonna care if the bullet they get shot with is 2500 fps or 3200 fps? Nope that lead bullet is going to expand and do A LOT of damage. Seems like your coming at this using cast bullets thing in an AR from a tactical elitist perspective.
Fast forward 3yr later.....& now .223 is easily going for .78 cents a round IF you can ever find it....and then you limited on how much you can buy. Suddenly this looks appealing now as a plinking round.
hey Way2go Rule... can't believe im responding to such a wonderful compliment. but I figure you must have seen johnny's reloading bench. "I hate my wallet video" you funny people!! : )......
WOOOHOOO 2500!! Mate excellent group! I'm following in your footsteps! Love it! I'm gonna try some home copper plating as well but this is going to be my go-to. Also what range as that target at? 100y? I didn't hear. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! Other then 748, is there another recommendation like varget, 2208 or 2209? I dont know how available 748 will be here. Also can you see if you can get 2000fps out of 300 blackout and tell me the load? I'm still waiting on my 300!
hey Eadc Components.... some powders seem to have a little more wiggle room up and down. 748 does . ball powders tend to be a little moody though.. temp sensitive for one. imr 4895 gives ya a nice full case.. something to check out if its easier to find. you'll like my video coming out tomorrow ... shooting that same bullet. that group I took was only from 30 yrds. but you can multiply that by three for a 100 yrd group. I think varget shoud work. take you time and work them up,... thanks for watching and good luck to ya
I reckon there was 100 ballistic scientists taking a good hard look at your powdercoated bullets. Phenomenal stuff! Thanks man. When I get fully setup here I'll post a video ;) Can't wait till tomorrow!
Hi Elvis Do you have problems with the powder coating shaving off into the gas port? Do you have problems with the lead shaving off into the gas port? Do either lead or powder coating get back into the bolt group? How often do you clean your weapon?
Do you cast in large batches ? Do you immidiately powdercoat also in large batches? Do you size in large batches ? Do you then store them?.. or do you cast large batches then powder and size, and load only as needed?..
Hey Elvis, thanks for taking the time to make these videos and doing all the test work. One question, my 55grain mold is a gas check mold. If I powder coat my bullets, do I still need a gas check to run your load in this video?
@@elvisammo hey , I’ve been trying to watch quite a few of your videos . I’ve got 10 lbs of 748 from a gun shop close out ($10.00/lb ) I’ve also got 2 MP-molds from cast boolits they’re 65 grn mold and 75 grn mold any suggestions on a good starting place for a ladder test with these 2 molds . I’ve got just about any other powder to try as well . I’ve stocked up ever since the Clintons lol. Any starting points and powder selection would be greatly appreciated. I also have lyman 225415 and ideal 224450 and the RCBS 60 molds that I look forward to working up to 22.9/23 of 748 . As a side note I watched one of your wheel weight videos 55 gallon drum fulls . I recently aquired 1250 lbs of wheel weights in 5 gallon buckets . Any easy way to sort the zinc out ? Are any of the stick on weights zinc ? Thank you for any information and help. Keep shooting straight and hope you have a blessed new year .
Hey, love the ford light blue, just coated some 22 cal lee bullets today, turned out awesome. I would really like to cast some purple ones, do you know if eastwood purple will coat like this, keep up the good video's
What method do you use to PC the .223 bullets? I can't see how you could stand them on the base, so do you just lay them on the screen? Would the places where they stick to the screen or each other affect the accuracy?
Elvis, I really enjoy watching your videos. You remind me a lot of my brother in law. I think I've seen just about all your videos as I am interested in casting 308 bullets for use in three different 300 blackout ar-15's. My objective is building accurate ammo as cheaply as possible. I have been loading fmj m80 pulled bullets at 147gr with 16gr or so of h110. Rounds cost about $.29/ea with these fmj's, but I believe I could be in the $.14/ea range casting and powder coating my own projectiles. I have two questions for you: Do you run gas checks on any of your pc projectiles? Second, do you know of a good 150-ish grain mold for 308 that would work well as a powder coated bullet in the rifles mentioned above at around 1700fps without a gas check? I have been unable to find one. Thanks for all the hard work you put in your research and testing! Looking forward to the next video!
If you watch his videos you'll find that Lee 155gr and 160gr are good candidates, even though they are designed as GC, you don't have to use it with PC. Regarding your 29 cent reloads with pulled M80 - either your math is wrong or you overpaid way too much for something. 6 cents for powder, 2.5 cents for primer and 13.5 cents for bullet = 22 cents per round that's my cost. But you can drop another couple cents if you buy your powder in bulk.
Dima Prok I've watched all his videos. At the time I posted this, I had not and still had a lot to learn about powder coating projectiles for use at high velocities. Where are you getting M80 pulled bullets for 13.5 cents a piece?
I've seen them many times on sale. I think I purchased from here: www.theamericanmarksman.com/Lake-City-M80-308-147-gr--Pulled-Down-Bullets-500-count--Free-Shipping_p_608.html?The+American+Marksman+Newsletter&Hot_Summer_Sales_copy_01_6_25_2017&mc_cid=5bab9b7205&mc_eid=8cb279de55 because I found their email when they were $65.25 for 500 with free shipping, that's actually only 13.05 cents. I bought a 1000, it's not bad bullet. Elvis, loads of bacon and fortune cookie have videos on powder coating basics. It's really a very simple process, but the trick for good coverage I learned is you have to preheat your bullets and than shake it up. Also a good powder will give you much better results. Another way to stretch your dollar look at your local ads, sometimes people will sell powder cheap. I picked up locally Accurate 1680 for $20/lb, the guy was selling 5lb, I bought 3. That guy turned out to be my old friend who I haven't seen for long time who lived very close by. This is primary powder for shooting 300 BLK but it also happens to be the powder for my 221 fireball, if I didn't have 15lb of 4198, I would buy more. Also there are discounted gift cards you can buy for Cabela's. Cabela's powders are very overpriced but with 18-20% off it's alternative to making a big order at powder valley.
One more thing - if you hesitating to start casting because you're not sure, just buy Lee 4-20 pot and Lee 155gr mold and dive in to it and learn as you go. I've read stories of people who would say I waited 20 years to start casting and why didn't I do it sooner. I started casting as soon as I got my first center fire handgun - 357 magnum, about 2 years after I started reloading. Stock up on lead, check your local tire shops, scrap yards and if not buy from eBay. That's how I started. A good alloy though will put a smile on your face and a bad alloy will be frustrating. Preheat your mold separately and most of your problems with fill out will be solved. Than get a PID controller.
Dima Prok I purchased a Lee Pro 4-20 a couple of months ago and wired a pid into it before I ever fired it up. I mounted all my components in the existing case on the pot. The pid controller is mounted in the top of the tower. The thermocouple is routed inside the case under the pot and measures temp at the nozzle. My Father and I started casting shortly after with the 312-155 Lee 6 cavity mold. We've been making pure lead and wheel weight ingots for several months. We've got over 400 1lb ingots. I just recently picked up an oven that I will use to powder coat - just haven't done it yet. I currently only use my oven to make kydex holsters. I figure doing double duty won't hurt either operation.
Elvis, have you ever tried 4064 behind 55gr PC'd .223? I have a 10.5" carbine gas AR I'm looking to feed. I ask about the 4064 as there is a company up here in Canada selling OEM grade 4064 for 129.99/5lbs, vs a pound of most canister grade powders up here being between 40-55/lb. The same company has 4198 available. Whichever I get, it needs to be able to run cast in my AR as well as my M14 build in .308 with 155gr lee cast and PC'd bullets. Thank you in advance!
Evan Rossiter I don't know about PC bullets but I use 24.5gr of IMR 4064 with basic 55gr fmj bullets in my Savage axis and it is an absolute tack driver with that powder very clean burning and extremely accurate out to 400 yards and probably beyond but 400 is the limits of my optics.
A 3 1/2" group at 100 isn't anything to brag about. It is an accomplishment getting them to cycle and feed is great. Your bullets measure a few thousandths too large I imagine that is a big problem with accuracy.
Ekvis. Quick question. You mention that you flare the cases. What are you using as a flaring die? I don't remember a flaring die coming with the Lee 223 set.
Larry Kool look into Lyman M Dies. They are designed for expanding case mouths and necks for cast lead bullets. If you all ready have a Lee universal flare die you can buy expander buttons from NOE molds. Cast lead bullets need a slight flare of the case mouth to ensure you're not shaving lead off.
Elvis I'm just about to order that Lee die. I'm casting my 9mm and .45acp, but haven't yet for my AR. Mostly, I'm concerned about leading and wanted to see how PC is working for you on .223. I do PC my pistol bullets. What Brinell hardness do you think you have with those? I only use range scrap, but have a bar of Linotype ready to mix in for rifle. Thanks!
So it seems powder coating bullets does not change the hardness of the bullet much if at all. If it does, it might be the 'heat treating' they get when powder coating the bullets that does it. So if that 'is' the case, and bullet obturation would be the same, do you then use load data as you would for cast? Since leading wouldnt be the issue, it comes down to just pressure signs? Are the usual signs of pressure the same, or are there other things to pay attention for in PC'd loads?
hey Paul Campo.... Yeah... good question... I think people over rate powder coat as if it's a hard shell... It's a soft shell. The hardness is the lead under it. What it does do is prevent leading. It allows for a wider range of hardness, with more forgiveness... We are told to load copper plated bullets using cast lead load data as well... I think it just comes down to density...Cast bullets and plated dont have a large light weight copper jacket on them.. This makes them larger for the weight they are.... Less dense.... This is one reason for the difference in load data. The other is more obvious, The lube and grooves must all go in the case.... But What it boils down to is the same pressure signs that make one bad is the same that make the other bad! Good question my friend!
Hi Elvis, I have been asking this question on several internet sites and forums, but still no one has answered me. Does powder coating effect the need for gas checks? Especially if you cast without grease rings. Thanks for your reply and thoughts.
I personally think it does. In my experience.. In my testing, I get mixed results without a conclusive outcome. But the scale seems to favor the non gas check. and besides if the outcome is that close would I rather go for the least expensive less work solution... Let me know your outcome... ?
H&Ks until the end of days! ..No its called ford light blue by Eastwood. I have a video using it (blue bullets ) easy to apply! thanks for watching and commenting!
Have you ever shot these (or similar powder coated 223) into water jugs or ballistics gel? I'm really curious about weather or not they would expand/deform/fragment. If so that would be awesome because they're so much cheaper than the cheapest soft point .224 bullets for reloading.
hey H&K until the end of days. .... I'll be doing some more detailed videos on that real soon... that's a great question. .. I will I think answer several questions all at once. . don't mean to sound secretive about it, but I don't want to spoil the fun! please stay tuned. ... and thanks for watching!
@ElvisAmmo what is the recomended BHN .. for 223 .. new to casting need help.. using pure lead .. looks like .. it's too soft to seat the bullet and its scraping the side of bullet when seated ..
The answer to BHN is as hard as you can make it... but your problem is you need a neck flaring die. “Lee universal neck flare die” this will allow you to seat the bullet without scraping the sides... a must
