HBN, anybody still using it?

[kelbro]

I remember some time back that HBN was a big deal and many folks switched to it from moly. I don't see much talk about either any more. Did these bullet coatings fall out of favor?

 

[ELR LVR]

I think a lot of people are using it
I do in a couple dedicated calibers - mostly the overbore barrel burner calibers
It may have already gotten talked about enough to where most everyone knows the benefits of it and the comparisons to moly
----------
In short, we know HBN works and works well
Is not messy like Moly
Is inert and non-toxic
High Thermal Conductivity and holds up well under high temperatures
is Hydrophobic (does not absorb and hold moisture which is a big plus in a barrel)
and a variety of other useful properties it has
----------
I have begun HBN coating my own bullets since its also such an easy process it is worthwhile
I have to say - I have noticed very significant reduction in throat erosion compared to not using it
Like MAJOR noticeable difference
its not like meh, I kinda notice it, I guess, it doesnt hurt anyway
No it's more like, there is NO WAY i would go back to not using it again

 

[Syncrowave]

I messed with it for a while about 15 yrs ago in 6.5/284, but then had a bit of trouble with bullets getting hung up in the seating die because (I think) I had left too much HBN on them, so then I abandoned it. But I think I just needed to clean off more of the excess HBN and maybe bullets wouldn't stick to the seating stem.

IIRC, didn't moly disulfide sometimes cause corrosion problems under certain circumstances? I forget.

HBN always sounded like a good idea to me, so I'm planning to try again with 300WSM. Glad to hear that it apparently reduces throat erosion, if true that's great news.

Seems like I read somewhere along the line that HBN reduces velocity because it also reduces pressure, so you need to up your charge weight to get the same velocity and pressure...? Curious to hear more on that...I never really checked 15 years ago since my old Shooting Chrony was such a PITA to set up and use. Now that I have a Garmin, it will be easier to check on stuff like this.

Also curious how HBN might affect neck tension figures. Seems like you would need to increase neck tension, especially if using a "jam" seating depth, since HBN is a lubricant, but does increasing neck tension scrape off the HBN coating?

 

[John Beauchamp]

I remember some time back that HBN was a big deal and many folks switched to it from moly. I don't see much talk about either any more. Did these bullet coatings fall out of favor?

I tried HBN and WS2 about 20 tears ago, settled on WS2 still have about 5 lbs of HBN if anybody is interested John

 

[ELR LVR]

I tried HBN and WS2 about 20 tears ago, settled on WS2 still have about 5 lbs of HBN if anybody is interested John 859-304-3408

I'm interested in some HBN
Will PM you

 

[neckturner]

I remember some time back that HBN was a big deal and many folks switched to it from moly. I don't see much talk about either any more. Did these bullet coatings fall out of favor?

I'm using 115gr 6mm DTACs, precoated.

Between that and powders that have decoppering agents, zero copper in the bore.

 

[snert]

@John Beauchamp ...take your post down or expect scammers to use your phone number to screw with you. Never post your number publically. Just trying to warn you off. You can use edit on your post to fix it.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I do coat for several rifles. Find increased speeds and lower pressure. It's also much easier to clean bore

 

[d6mmwea]

On prairie dog safaris for sure....
I never did any type of technical analysis but "I believe" it has its benefits. Biggest is I'm still shoot'n while my buddies are cleaning...
Easy clean up when I get home compared to "pre HBN" days and scope tells me all's well....
Again nothing technical here, just my opinion.
Good Shoot'n,
Dan P.

 

[Bill Norris]

I do coat for several rifles. Find increased speeds and lower pressure. It's also much easier to clean bore

That's the main reasons I use HBN. Never could see any difference in group size but it sure does make it easier to clean the barrel.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I picked up a box of Berger 30 gr 17 cal target hp that are treated with HBN, haven't tried them.

 

[ELR LVR]

I picked up a box of Berger 30 gr 17 cal target hp that are treated with HBN, haven't tried them.

Ooooooh
good call man
I hadnt thought of it for the 17's!!!

I've been focusing it on my Overbores
I got so fed up with coppering in my 17 variants and cleaning every 30 rounds they sit in the back of the closet
I may try it out in one of them again and see how it does

 

[old codger]

HBN?

 

[Precisionhunter417]

Hexigonal boron nitride

I probaby spelled it wrong...

I still have lots. Never tried it for match bullets. Couldn't get another 1-1.5g of powder on my cases to offset the lower friction coeficient.