Boron Nitrate - not all the same?

[Baer45]

I bought 2 different brands of BN based on what looked like the best deal. I was using Tubb’s kit and was shocked at the difference! It is much easier to apply and clean up. I also noticed less if any powder in the hollow points like I saw in the other brands. I can’t say there is any difference noticeable on target bu definitely works as advertised. Has anyone else noticed this? Whe he said in a video that he spent years getting it right; I thought it had to be a sales pitch...I don’t know how well it shows in the pictures but the Tubb’s on right are clear vs the white powder coat on other brand...

 

[Poor Shot 65]

Im guessing that the the size of the HBN particles that you used is larger (when compared to Tubbs) and is clumping together.

 

[Baer45]

I think you are right. I am applying it correctly though and with Tubb’s I don’t have to include the steel media. Which is not all steel because my magnet will only pick up a third of it. With Tubb’s, I can put Sierras or Bergers in the jar without washing first, add powder and 2 hours later, I’m done...no oven heating, nada..I do wash other brands of bullets

 

[Poor Shot 65]

I buy HBN from www.bulletcoatings.com - not the cheapest but it seems to work well (I do use stainless steal media to help coat the bullets).

 

[Baer45]

I am familiar with that brand....not having to use media, wash and heat bullets in an oven is why I like Tubb’s formula..must be a finer size...something is definitely different...

 

[Fire Dog]

Im guessing that the the size of the HBN particles that you used is larger (when compared to Tubbs) and is clumping together.

Two batches of Berger 6mm 108's {about 300pcs total} using Tubb's system but mine look like the ones on the left more than the ones on the right... Perhaps too much powder or too long in the vibrator...??? The first batch was also the "season the bottle" batch with extra powder and were darker than the second batch with the then recommended dose of BN.
How long do you have your bullets process? How much do you use per 100?

 

[rsmithsr50]

well I have tubb's plus one other. my tubb's batch came out chunky/ blotchy. I had to polish a bunch off.
I do not know, but think it maybe a humidity issue
I coat both the bullets and the bbl.

 

[WyleWD]

well I have tubb's plus one other. my tubb's batch came out chunky/ blotchy. I had to polish a bunch off.
I do not know, but think it maybe a humidity issue
I coat both the bullets and the bbl.

Once in a while we had this same issue. We began rinsing them in acetone and allowing them to completely dry in front of a small fan. Problem solved.

What we think was the issue is that if using water or rubbing alcohol to "wash" or rinse them prior to coating, is that most of the rubbing alcohol has at least 5% and up to 20% water in it which takes seemingly forever for the water to completely dry. The acetone cleans them better and dries much faster and completely.

We've had our best coating consistency using the Tubbs' HBN. Their particle size seems to work best with ours. JME. WD

 

[efoleyjr]

I bought 2 different brands of BN based on what looked like the best deal. I was using Tubb’s kit and was shocked at the difference! It is much easier to apply and clean up. I also noticed less if any powder in the hollow points like I saw in the other brands. I can’t say there is any difference noticeable on target bu definitely works as advertised. Has anyone else noticed this? Whe he said in a video that he spent years getting it right; I thought it had to be a sales pitch...I don’t know how well it shows in the pictures but the Tubb’s on right are clear vs the white powder coat on other brand... View attachment 1156765 View attachment 1156764

What kind/type of tumbler are you using and how much Hbn are you adding/100 bullets?

Ed

 

[338 dude]

Two batches of Berger 6mm 108's {about 300pcs total} using Tubb's system but mine look like the ones on the left more than the ones on the right... Perhaps too much powder or too long in the vibrator...??? The first batch was also the "season the bottle" batch with extra powder and were darker than the second batch with the then recommended dose of BN.
How long do you have your bullets process? How much do you use per 100?

It has been my experience if they turn dark you were tumbling them for too long

 

[Poor Shot 65]

i have had batches of bullets that turned out dark. they still feel right and other than the color i cannot see any other difference.

i hand wash the bullets (soap and water in a strainer) and then put them in an oven (150-175 degrees for 20 mins) to make sure that they are dry. when i take them out they can ben handled but are hot to the touch. i put them in multiple 500cc pill bottles (max is about 125 30 caliber bullets) and put 1 scoop per 50 bullets (the pill bottles contain different sized seasoned stainless media). i put the pill bottles into a FA tumbler for a base time of 2 hours and add 15 mins per 50 bullets. when they come out they look rough (patchy etc) ... i quickly rub any excess off using a paper towel and then when all multiple batches are done i dump all bullets at one time onto a towel and rub them around to polish them. they all come out good and so far i have done more 2500 bullets with no complaints.

my SDs have been halved using hbn and so i can’t complain. it is just a part of my reloading process.

 

[Baer45]

Two batches of Berger 6mm 108's {about 300pcs total} using Tubb's system but mine look like the ones on the left more than the ones on the right... Perhaps too much powder or too long in the vibrator...??? The first batch was also the "season the bottle" batch with extra powder and were darker than the second batch with the then recommended dose of BN.
How long do you have your bullets process? How much do you use per 100?

My first batch of Tubb’s to coat bottle was darker also but since then I always fill bottle 2/3 full, even if I had a different size BULLET to make up the space and run for 2 hrs. I empty into a larger winter thick sock and roll back and forth for a few minutes and out come nice shiny bullets with no powder and clear coated. They are so slick they are hard to pick up...I use one level silver powder scoop as per instructions...

 

[Baer45]

What kind/type of tumbler are you using and how much Hbn are you adding/100 bullets?

Ed

I put the bottle in a large Dillon vibratory tumbler. I’ve tried it with corn cob and without and wedged in a Thumblers Tumbler and could see no difference. Can’t be easier...I use one level silver scoop regardless of number of bullets

I guess I should add that when I do wash bullets (anything other then Sierra and Bergers), I drain them and put on a thin kitchen towel and dry them by hand. Then I let them sit until I get home from work to completely dry....otherwise I would put a fan on them or try the oven trick. I just like simple and hate the media mess...i went back to Tubb’s site and he said he spent 10 years coming up with the right “blend” to perfect..something is different...