His followup video suggests that it may be just how he conducted the tests, in a ziploc baggie, that was the problem. Doesn't appear to have actually affected the shootability of the rounds. Also, he was using Harbor Freight red, and an unnamed locally sourced powder. The results in the first video might have more to do with the choice of specific powders tested than the process in general. Still, worth being aware of. I've been pan-lubing for years (let's not go off on a tangent here about what a crappy method that is) because that's what my dad did and how I learned (plus it's cheap), but I'm still wanting to try powder coating.
I've had a toaster oven sitting in the shop for about ten years with the intent of powder coating some bullets. Makes a good storage box for peperwork. I may never get around to trying it. I've been tumble lubing everything for smokeless powder with Alox for 30 years or so. Front loaders just get a slathering of 40 year old Crisco. Works like mutton tallow and smells a little better. I found the Unique and Red Dot bit interesting. I know I've had a RCBS hopper full of Red Dot set at 13 grains (The Load) for more than 20 years and it works fine. Two other Lee hoppers have been full of Unique for about 15 years and never have an issue. Powder flows out just like the day I poured it in. I would wonder about the storage conditions of his ziploc bags. Probably never be an issue for me since I load what I shoot the day before, but it's good to be aware that it could be an issue. Closest I've seen was a young Marine that had a 37MM grenade launcher. He scaled down the 40MM projectile and made a mold. Cast up about twenty beautiful plaster projectiles and loaded them in the 37MM cases with a charge of black powder. The next day when he came out to shoot them most were propelled out the end of the barrel and fell within feet of the muzzle. Best one made a little puff of stringy smoke and went tumbling down range about 15 yards. The problem was obvious to me. The plaster was still too wet, and the black powder had absorbed enough mousture to turn most of it into a black slurry. I told him the solution was to bake them in an oven on low heat overnight to remove all the moisture and then paint the base to seal it. He was so disgusted with the whole mess that he left all the fired projectiles for me and went home. Have never seen him again. Good stuff to know. "Keep your powder dry."
hmmm.... thinkin powder hits the base of the bullet same way coated, lubed or not... so not real sure what the issue is except the powder coating on the base is maybe gone? hmmm... locking em in a baggie so the fumes stay there??? hmmm... don't use powder coated so can't say... but know powder fumes do affect things...
I always liked gas checks. Just a bit more work but if you see the need for more energy then you have the way.
