Reloading for Gas Operation, Cast, Jacketed or Powder Coat

I understand that one of the reasons that you have to use jacketed bullets in gas operated firearms is because cast bullets shave a little lead off at the gas block hole and clog it. I never knew this until recently and I suspect that others may not know this either.

I like the idea of being totally self sufficient with firearms and think reloading is the way to go including casting bullets. However, there are certain things a person just can not do all by themselves because of lack of money or equipment. For example brass, we can't make brass at home, you need a machine shop or factory to be able to produce it. I think jacketing bullets almost falls into this same category.

I understand you can take .22 brass and swedge the case for .223/5.56 but is there an easier way to make a jacket for a bullet? What about larger bullets like .308? Is there a source of materials for jacketing them? How about electroplating? Can you get enough copper coating through electroplating to not have the lead of cast bullets foul the barrel?

Finally, what of Powder Coating? Can you get a thick enough "shell" around a cast bullet so that it too can be shot out of a gas operated weapon? Thanks all.

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Reloading for Gas Operation, Cast, Jacketed or Powder Coat