[MtrCty]

I don't own a Glock ,but I was wondering if you could shoot plated bullets,like Rainer through it? In case I feel the need one day to purchase one.

[nvrquit]

MtrCty,

There have been some posts on this exact topic over on the GT board. Seems that different plated bullet manufacturers have had varied results from Glock factory barrels. Some shooters that reload using plated have had decent results while others have had dismal experiences, sometimes with the exact same bullet. Appears to almost vary from pistol to pistol. Weird.

The rough consensus is that staying with jacketed bullets is a better way to go. But, just drop on over to GT and use the search function.

[larryw]

I run lots of plated bullets (West Coast) through my HKs with no problems, no leading and great accuracy; HK and Glock both have polygonal bores and (unjacketed) lead bullets aren't considered kosher in either.

[stans]

Plated bullets are not likely to lead a polygonal barrel, so they are safer than plain lead. Accuracy complared to jacketed or plain lead may or may not be as good.

[JohnKSa]

Worst case of leading I've ever experienced was with plated bullets...

[MoNsTeR]

Unless you crimp through the plating or run them at ridiculous velocities, plated bullets will not lead. At all. Ever.

[Delmar]

I have not used plated bullets all that much until recently, as the indoor ranges are refusing lead bullets. I'm confused as to a few posters indicating that you can drive a plated bullet fast enough to cause leading? How is this possible unless you are roll crimping so deep that it exposes the lead core?

[twowheel]

I shoot Ranier plated bullets in my Glock 23. Initially, accuracy was just awful. I played with powders and weights with no improvement, then I changed the barrel to a KKR from Glockworks and saw immediate improvement. My feeble mind believes that plated bullets act like lead but without the lead fouling; as a result, the factory polygon rifling won't grab like square rifling and the shots go all over the place.

I've never experienced leading with Ranier bullets in the Glock .40S&W, or other calibers I shoot, like 45ACP and 357. I tend to load to the top of the scale so as to simulate full power jacketed loads.

[larryw]

Delmar, the plating is pretty thin and can get wiped off in the bore if driven too hard, which is compounded by the fact most plated bullets use a pretty soft lead core. All this means is you can get leading if loaded too hot (check with the manufacturer on max velocities). Another problem I've seen is caused by the soft core, you can deform the heel if you drive the bullet too hard and accuracy will be poor. And as you said, too much/wrong crimp and you can also peel the bullet like a banana.

I like West Coast Bullets because the plating is thickest and the cores are hard. I shoot 240gr 44 mag out of my 1894 around 1700fps with a firm roll crimp, and practice rip-snortin' 357 snubbie rounds with a heavy crimp. Both are very accurate and don't lead. Didn't have any success with either of these loads until I changed plated bullet manufacturers.

As to accuracy, here's ten shots at 25 yards: plated bullets through a 45 USP (the one by itself was my fault, I flat out yanked that one). 200gr SWC WCB, mixed brass, 4.3gr of WST, WLP, 1.235COL.

http://www.dimark.com/shooting/45X10.jpg

[pauli]

what's the purpose of plated bullets? are they cheaper than jacketed?

[larryw]

Much cheaper than jacketed, much cleaner than lead; I use them only in practice/plinking/blowin' off steam ammo as plating is a tradeoff.