Powder coat in micro groove barrel

[GUN DOG]

Powder coated some 158’s for my 357’s
One is a micro groove barrel marlin it shoots jacket 158 like a laser
Just wondering if anyone has tried this

 

[CanadianRiverRat]

I shoot powdercoated bullets in 4 marlin microgroove guns, all do quite well. The only problematic thing is bullets with a bore-riding portion can get too large to chamber at normal seating depth (mainly the 30/30 and 38/55) using the "shake n bake" style, so those rifle bullets get coated with my electro-static spray gun set up.
I doubt you will have that issue in your .357 though unless you go to the 200gr mold which does have a long nose to it.

 

[swampratt]

I run my coated bullets through a Lee push through sizing die.
Those do not need any lube and slick right through.

But I size them before coating them and all my bullets were getting sized to .357" because my cylinder throats measured .357" and no need to go .358 and have the cylinder pinch them down.

Barrel slugged at .3565"

Depending on alloy used you may not be able to send them as fast as the jacketed.
I have found if i speed up a soft alloy too much the bullet will tumble.
Hitting the paper target sideways.

 

[CanadianRiverRat]

Yep! Jeff just pointed out a factor I forgot to mention....alloy hardness. It's more critical with microgroove barrels than usual due to the shallow rifling depth. bottom line, if your alloy isn't up to the task with lubed bullets it won't work with powder coat either. Tumbling bullets are a sure sign of "too fast, too soft, stripping the rifling".

 

[GUN DOG]

Havnt shot any lead through it yet just jacked finally ran out of the thousands I had trying a little cheaper way I’ll slow down the speed to start
It’s pretty much wheel weight

 

[Wheelgun]

My Marlin 357 does very well with cast.

I use 50/50 wheel weight/range lead, water dropped. Then I powder coat when I get ‘round to it, then size .358.

I used to be super particular about my alloy mix, how long I let them age, lube I used, everything. Then I realized it was all unnecessary, 38spl and mid range 357 are about the easiest and most forgiving to load and get excellent results.