Bayou Bullets

[ghostrider]

From the directions I was sent:

?Oven should be preheated to approx. 365-375 degrees F. Bullets will need to reach a temperature of 365 degrees for 30-45 seconds for the coating to properly cure. Time in oven will vary with ambient air temperature, and oven type but I have found 8 1/2 - 10 minutes will get you in the ball park."

One of those toaster ovens should be fine other than the limited quantity you could do at once.

One thing to note:

# the coating consists of a color and catalyst that must be mixed with acetone and must be used up within days of being mixed.

[urnoodle]

From the directions I was sent:

?Oven should be preheated to approx. 365-375 degrees F. Bullets will need to reach a temperature of 365 degrees for 30-45 seconds for the coating to properly cure. Time in oven will vary with ambient air temperature, and oven type but I have found 8 1/2 - 10 minutes will get you in the ball park."

One of those toaster ovens should be fine other than the limited quantity you could do at once.

One thing to note:

# the coating consists of a color and catalyst that must be mixed with acetone and must be used up within days of being mixed.

I sent them an email yesterday but I suspect I'll get the same info as you posted. It doesn't seem that difficult. I guess my only remaining question is if one can mix the color and catalyst in a smaller batch so as to only use the amount needed for the casting session. If they respond I'll send a follow-up email for that question.

[urnoodle]

Here's the instructions I received from the good guys at Bayou... After the first of the year I am going to order their coating....
Directions for Using the Hy-tek Bullet Coating

To properly apply the coating you will need the following:
· Gloves, safety glasses and respirator capable of filtering paint fumes.
· An electric oven capable of 375-400 degrees F. DO NOT USE YOUR HOUSEHOLD OVEN OR ANY OTHER OVEN THAT WILL BE USED FOR FOOD SERVICE. An oven that uses forced air (many pizza ovens operate this way) works best. However, good results can be obtained from a conventional oven as well.
· A method to accurately measure the coating material. An inexpensive set of measuring spoons works great.
· A method to coat the bullets; depending on the quantity you decide to coat at one time a gallon sized coffee can with the lid will do the job. A motorized mixer/tumbler would be ideal.
· You will also need a metal tray(s) to place the freshly coated bullets onto. The tray needs to have an open bottom to allow air and heat to circulate evenly around the bullets, while air drying and curing in the oven. A suitable tray can be made from the wire type racks that are found in household ovens. Cover the rack with 1/8” hardware cloth and fab up some sides so the bullets don’t roll off, and you’re in business.
· Accurate measuring of the oven temperature is critical to proper curing of the coating; I suggest verifying the actual temperature with a good thermometer.
· You’ll also need some heavy oven mitts or welders gloves to place the trays in the oven and to remove them.
· This product is extremely flammable, keep away from open flame. No smoking while handling the liquid.

We are now ready to mix the coating material and start coating bullets.
· Vigorously shake both the color and the catalyst to ensure that it is well mixed.
· With your safety glasses and respirator on, accurately measure out 5 parts color, 1 part catalyst and 5 parts Acetone. (You provide the acetone) into an appropriate sized container.
· It is recommended that you do mix more solution than you will use in 4-5 days.
· The ratio listed below is for 1000 bullets. You may need to adjust the formula and the ration to meet your specific needs. Place the bullets into the container or the device you will use to coat the bullets.
· Pour 4-5 teaspoons of mixed coating material onto the bullets, mix/tumble bullets for approx. 25-35 seconds. After mixing immediately pour the bullets onto your wire mesh tray and allow to air dry, a fan will speed up the process. Bullets should be dry to the touch before placing them into the oven.
· Oven should be preheated to approx. 365-375 degrees F. Bullets will need to reach a temperature of 365 degrees for 30-45 seconds for the coating to properly cure. Time in oven will vary with ambient air temperature, and oven type but I have found 8 1/2 - 10 minutes will get you in the ball park.
· Remove bullets from oven and allow to cool to room temperature, a fan will speed things up.
· The first coating will appear to be very thin and possibly blotchy looking, this is normal. If you’re satisfied with the cure time, repeat the process for a second coat. Often times 2 coats will produce satisfactory results, if not a third coat may be necessary.

Trouble shooting and helpful hints:
ü After mixing your bullets, you should only have a small amount of coating material adhering to sides and bottom of the container. If it is pooling on the bottom, your using too much coating for the amount of bullets be coated.
ü To test if your curing properly, dampen a portion of a clean paper towel with Acetone, rub the bullet, if coating is removed you need to increase time in oven or increase the temperature or possibly both. When making adjustments use slight increases and take notes.
ü Second method to test the bullets is to smash it with a hammer or crush it in a vise. Coating should remain intact and not flake off. If flaking occurs you may applying the coating too heavily or over “cooking” them making the coating brittle.

[urnoodle]

Well I'm going to order some now forget the first of the year.

[ghostrider]

Well I'm going to order some now forget the first of the year.

we look forward to your detailed review :-)

[mr surveyor]

Just got my sample order in, spoke at length to Donnie on the phone about different bullets - he is very well versed in what he makes and easy to do business with. Bullets came well packed and quicker than I expected - - now all I need is to find a good load for the 138gr BNWC in .38special
- Ive already loaded up a bunch of .45 acp to test drive in the morning.
I am very interested in seeing how the 225 gr TC's do when pushed hard - I loaded a few of them for the wunderrifle that should see the other side of 1400, and if those make it - I have a few more painted red just for kicks.

I loaded up a small batch of Mr Donnie's BB 138 gr wc's last week with 3.5 gr of Unique, seated to the crimp groove, CCI small pistol primer. They shot light but very clean, and appeared to be accurate. I haven't had a chance to stretch them out at the range for a real accuracy test, but I'm planning to bump up to 3.8 gr Unique when I have the chance to make it to the range.

Now I'm wishing he made something to load in .30/30 Win

[mr surveyor]

I might consider 4.0 Unique as a max load (for my purposes), but in the little Model 36 I'm building these for, 3.8 gr will most likely be enough.

Just be sure to open up the case mouth enough to get them started and they will slide right in. Most of the "exposed" lead wc's I've loaded took a little bit more effort than lrn's, and could shave some lead if the case wasn't flaired enough or the mouth wasn't slightly chamfered (only need to chamfer once). With proper case prep, the Bayou Bullets completely encased in the dry lube load much smoother than standard cast boolits.

[mr surveyor]

loaded 3.5, 3.7, and 4.0 - the 3.5 was plenty hot.

are you shooting an airweight? If so, the 3.5 gr load probably works well as a target load. They just feel a bit lighter than I want in my Model 36. I don't want hotrods either, so 3.7-3.8 will probably be where I end.

How'd your barrel and cylinders look after a good dose of Bayou Bullets? Anything other than powder residue?

[mr surveyor]

glad to hear that you had the same experience I've had with them.
I still need to add a small supply for .357 and .44.