Discussion on designs for coated boolets

I understand that lube grooves are not needed on PC bullets (I use ESPC for 30-30, .45ACP, and .38/357s), but what do they hurt?

The presence of lube grooves makes bullets of a given weight have less bearing surface (less friction/pressure) spread out over more length (better alignment) and gives you the option to fall back to conventional lubes, or…gosh, I hate to admit this….sometimes when I have a bullet that isn’t coated perfectly, I smear lube on it and shoot it anyway. You can’t do that with a slickside.

I see how it might be nice in the 9mm or other small high-pressure caliber to minimize the amount of bullet sticking down into your powder space, but speaking in general terms, I think lube grooves help more than they hurt, even in PC applications.

I could be wrong, and am interested in hearing arguments contrary to my own. And as always ‘I want it that way’ is all the argument you really need.

I’m horrible at predicting the future.
That said I don’t think the coating craze is going to go away any time soon, Neither is the traditional lube and bullet going away any time soon.
My opinion is that it adds new technology and a new way of thinking to an old hobby. You know how that works out, anytime someone upsets the apple cart you going to make people mad and defensive.
There is still a lot to learn about the coating craze. I myself have wondered if the lube grooves may be beneficial. When we stop experimenting or striving to improve and we just accept something as just good enough then we have lost sight of why we cast to begin with.
So far my personal results with PC are very promising, as always there is work to be done and ideas to test. I think Al will only sell more of the slick sided molds in the future… We will see how wrong I am.

I agree that they will sell. I don’t make them, though, so that’s not really a concern of mine. My concern is: are they really superior?

Like I said, I’m a coater….I just don’t see slick-sided bullets as being superior.

Really though you’re talking about heavier bullets with HP’s to keep at optimal weight. I like the idea of no lube grooves but don’t see the real benefit. In my PC experience the grooves coat quicker/easier than bearing surfaces. Also taking the weight out from the grooves means it has to go somewhere, right? Then add a HP?  So you end up with longer bullets?

And for those who like big bore WFN designs, the HP’s will clog for those who do BBDT method, ask me how I know. And no, the BB will not withstand the curing process and make redneck Corbon powerball clones, ask me how I know.

I’d probably try one mold as a solid in the 200grn+ range for 45.