Tried Hi Tek powder

Beef15

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Like the title says, I decided to try Hi Tek coating using the powder, mixed with Acetone.

Process seems easy enough, though with the dry time, two coats required, and the cooling time that entails I'm not sure it offers anything over dry tumbling PC, should have more consistent results regardless of temperature/humidity I guess. If I get the process down I imagine having trays in various stages will allow for decent production.

My first batch passed the smash test but failed the acetone test, which reading tells me is insufficient cure time, and baking longer should fix, well, it didn't. I decided to load them anyway. Way less lubricity than PC, sizing was a chore, I was actually concerned I might tear my press from the bench. We'll see if they perform later.

vJeyc23.jpg
 
I sense much leading in your future.

Have you confirmed that your over is heating to 290F or a little more? Maybe you aren’t getting them to the required cure temp in which case I don’t think more cook time will help.
 
I tried Hi Tek and failed miserably, went back to PC. I have a tub of red left if you want it @Beef15
 
Well I guess I'm in the minority since I prefer Hi-Tek to powder coating. I don't think it's a performance thing but rather that I don't like how powder winds up in places on the bench it is not supposed to be.
The effort required to size my cast bullets only increases when I've made a mistake, like not tightly closing the mold, and cast "fat" bullets.
 
I sense much leading in your future.

Have you confirmed that your over is heating to 290F or a little more? Maybe you aren’t getting them to the required cure temp in which case I don’t think more cook time will help.
Right there between 385 and 400 per the instructions. I don't plan to judge the performance of the product based off these since something is obviously not right.
 
The effort required to size my cast bullets only increases when I've made a mistake, like not tightly closing the mold, and cast "fat" bullets.

I was suspicious of such a thing, but the largest measured .360" before sizing, and only going to .357"
 
Right there between 385 and 400 per the instructions. I don't plan to judge the performance of the product based off these since something is obviously not right.
Sorry, didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t know the right number, but have you used a reliable thermometer to check your oven.

If you don’t have a way to do this maybe set it at 425 and cook a dozen and see what happens with them.

And what mold are those from?
 
Sorry, didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t know the right number, but have you used a reliable thermometer to check your oven.

If you don’t have a way to do this maybe set it at 425 and cook a dozen and see what happens with them.

And what mold are those from?

Used an oven thermometer this time, but noted it to be very slow responding. I would've used my temp probe for instant read but it's at work, will be bringing it home this evening.

When I've checked appropriate objects with my non contact they've always heated to +/-5 of setting, but those were either a longer time or less mass.

Something going on with the cook is my suspicion as well. I'm thinking the temp is dropping substantially when the oven cycles off and my time probably needs to be adjusted up.

NOE HTC 358133RN I'm a big fan of it for 9mm.
 
@JimB nailed it, temperature for sure. Oven would reach temperature for the intial few on cycles then plummet 20 degrees or more on the off cycle and never quite get back up. Figuring out how to accommodate the swing without going too far will require some trial. A better oven or a PID controller may be in order.
 
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