Always looking for a cheaper way to shoot (more), I saw some listings of powder coating and thought I would try it.
Over the years I have settled into a pattern with what I regularly load and shoot in each weapon. Greased/lubed lead in most .40 S&Ws, same for .44 Mags and only greased/lubed lead in .45ACPs. All rifles, .223/5.56, .308/7.62, 30-06, .303 Brit and .375 H&H got jacketed bullets.
I had played with cast in .308s with poor results (my opinion) and .375 H&H with good results with slower bullets, I shoot so few of them, lead had little impact (on my pocket).
Here comes the .300 AAC Blackout. I started with all jackets. But then I looked hard at lead for it. I tried to coat some 180 grain RN. The coating was very poor, it puddled. But when fired, the carrier/Polyester worked great. The nose shape didn't suet me, so I ordered a 155 grain Lee mold, Lee C312-155-2R. The day it arrived, I shipped it off to have the butt shaved. It returned and drops 130 grain flat base bullets. I had the gas check step and just a very little of the lower drive band removed. With several changes in powder coating I have settled on PBTP Clear. I use these bullets in the BlackOut, .308 and to a small extent, '06.
During this time I tried coating my .430 240 grain LSWC slugs for my .44 Mag. They work very well but my heavy load (2400 powder pushing lead at 1238 FPS) is as much as I need and raw lead isn't leading any of my 44s. So what is the advantage of powder coating them? My lead .40 S&W are loaded to match my jacketed loads and do not lead, no gain there. I have no reason to change from my standard .45 ACP loading in lead.
I have cast and powder coated a few 285 grain .375 slugs but have not gotten around to testing them yet. Some time on down the line, I will try my little 30s in the .303 British, I may double coat or just not size them.
Final thoughts.
If what I have does what I want, why change.
If something better comes along, evaluate and change if it is an improvement.
So far, I have yet to find any reason not to use powder coated 30 cals. Or to not continue using raw lead lubed .40s or .45s. Coated .44s and .375s are still being evaluated for special uses.
If you don't like em, don't use em or complain about others doing so. No skin off of your nose unless you are in the jacketed bullet business (but then if you are, why are you messing with anything and not trying to catch up with the demand?).
Enjoy and load with care,
OSOK