Differences in Hi-Tek coated bullets

[harleygsb]

I have been reading various user reviews of different coated bullets, here and at other forums. Some people seem to get barrel leading with certain brands (Brazos) while not getting it with other brands of Hi-Tek coated bullets (say Acme), assuming the same bullet diameter (say .356). I am trying to figure out why this might be, since in theory, a coated bullet should perform similarly? Unless there are different coating techniques or other differences I might not be considering?

Any thoughts on the different brands? I am looking at 9mm for myself for use in a CZ and a M&P.

[bazineta]

I've seen Hi-Tek done well, and done poorly. You can see various YouTube videos on the process involved, and as a result see where it'd break down with incorrect technique or quality control.

As a result of a couple of problematic batches, I've tended to since favor other coating techniques with less apparent variability. For example, I've yet to see a quality issue of any kind in a batch of Bear Creek.

[sirgrumps]

The Hi-Tek process is essentially a two part epoxy coating applied after sizing to adjust for the coating thickness.

If the mix ratio is wrong, the coating will be too hard, too soft, too thick, or too thin.

Some place just do it better.

Buy from them.

I've seen Hi-Tek done well, and done poorly. You can see various YouTube videos on the process involved, and as a result see where it'd break down with incorrect technique or quality control.

[Bastard]

you should not get any leading with hi-tek unless, maybe, you are pushing it too much - that being said the only 2 places that I willing to buy cast/coated bullets from are Missouri bullet (my CZ loves their 124 gr groove less over 3.8 of bullseye) and Bayou bullets which may have been the first to bring in the Hi-tek coating

[keepitlow]

I've used Teflon coated 9mm. Gives about 50% more penetration than non-coated. That is my take. And not sure if they were real Teflon, may be a plastic substitute. But offered amazing penetration if that is what you were after.

[Sandspider500]

I spray my boolits with non stick cooking spray to make them armor piercing.

[Sandspider500]

Lol

[sunnysmarine]

www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com made in CA

[sirgrumps]

www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com made in CA

I don't care for their product.
In my 45, those give me accuracy issues and are smokey.

I prefer the Hi-Tek form ACME Bullets

[jimmykan]

Crimping too deep can compromise the coating. Could that be the isssue?

[ysr_racer]

I use Bayou and ibejheads (or something like that).

[AtomicOrange]

I have used Hi-Tek coated from Missouri Bullets in. 45 Colt and SNS Casting in .327 Mag without any problems. The coating is thin, but it sticks and seems tough.

[checkenbach]

I’ve used BBI(Black Bullets International) and have seen some chips in the coating, but they’re dirt cheap, and quite accurate. I now use The Blue Bullet, the coating is amazingly consistent, cheap, and shoot well out of everything. The Blue’s are .355, the BBI’s are .356, you can get Blue’s sized in .355, .356, or for .38 Special, .358. I have some 125 grain .358’s I use in .38 Special loads, and have wanted to try them in 9mm, but have not yet done so.

[rsrocket1]

Have you slugged your barrels? The M&P should be 0.355", the CZ can be 0.355" up to 0.356". With a good powder coat, it should not matter. I PC my own bullets at the powder coat typically adds 2-3 mils. I then size them through a 0.356" Lee push through sizer and they all shoot great through all my 9mm guns (M&P FS, Shield, 92fs, XD9) with zero leading ever and no smoke associated with traditional or Alox lubes. The only stuff I've seen in the barrels after a shooting session has been soot.



Clean up consists of a single piece of paper towel dampened with Hoppes No9 or CLP or Remoil pushed through the barrel.



The powder coating is a polymer used in any powder coating business. I used to buy Harbor Freight red for $5/pound which lasts over 2 years/20k bullets but they no longer carry red and that was the only color that worked. I am now working through 3 pounds of Sherwin Williams purple leftovers that I got for $6 at a local powder coating company.



Shake and bake powder coating cost me $8 to get started ($5 for the powder and $3 for a toaster oven at the Goodwill outlet store) and takes about 2 hours to do 1k bullets including set up and put-away of the equipment in my backyard. Then it takes another hour to size all the bullets.

Plunk test


If you want to read more about powder coating go over to Castboolits and look in the "coatings and alternatives" section. I was skeptical at first but after following the forum during the first year of experiments, I decided to take the plunge and now PC all my handgun bullets and some of my rifle plinker bullets.

[SoCal1911]

Used thousands and thousands Bearcreek molys for years. Found them when I started USPSA. Never had any leading issues, but did not push the speed either. Still have a few thousand. My pistol bullets of choice.