How do you know if a plated bullet is loaded to fast?

A bullet jacket failure puts cool swirls around the bullet hole sometimes. Some self destruct and make no hole at all... others come apart and make holes with the pieces.... those are the three failure modes I've found.... some leading problems are another indication.

Copper flakes in the barrel. I've had this in revolvers.

Add bullet keyholing as velocity increases to that list.

I actually had copper balls stuck to the inside of my barrel from driving standard velocity plated bullets to fast. The copper balls came right out but I backed off after seeing that. I should have took a picture of it but I didn't think about it at the time. It was right after plated bullets got popular.

These days I watch for leading in my barrel to see when the bullet is trying to skid.

Sounds like marketing, I am trying to imagine what a steel butt plate would feel like opposite end of muzzle @ 3000 FPS. At least they are saying it "could" get there.

With lead, the first sign is accuracy falls off as you step up the charge, often accompanied by leading. With plated, add the plating coming apart. If I am trying for more than 2000 fps I usually just cut to the chase and use jacketed.

CoalCrackerAl said:

Im thinking of loading a few with 30 grains of 2400. The bullets are 120 grain. Shoot at cardboard 25 yards.

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I'd work up a load, personally.

CoalCrackerAl said:

Reason im asking. Accura outdoors claims their .308 bullets can be loaded up to 3000 FPS in a 1/10 twist rate barrel. Both of my 30.06 are 1/10.

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Were did you find that information of 3000 fps?

https://accuraoutdoors.com/shop/bullets/

CoalCrackerAl said:

Im thinking of loading a few with 30 grains of 2400. The bullets are 120 grain. Shoot at cardboard 25 yards.

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If your goal is 3000fps in a 30.06 using essentially a pistol powder, I’d tread very carefully.

I was told that if you load plated bullets too fast you could strip the lead core out of the plating, leaving the copper plating in the bore.

I don't know if it is true or not, but I try to keep plated bullet loads close to lead bullet velocity.

CoalCrackerAl said:

https://accuraoutdoors.com/faq/
for the 30cal 120gr 2000FPS 1:8/1:7 3000FPS 1:10

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The only 120gr. .308" bullet they list is for the .300BLK

300blk 120 SP
30 Cal (.308 Diameter) 120gr Spitzer Point (B.C. .303 G1)
MAXIMUM VELOCITY 2150 FPS.
Recommended C.O.L. 2.000

I would write to them and ask specifically about your intended application.

In handguns, I know I've overdone things when the target gets hit by shrapnel.

.38 Special said:

In handguns, I know I've overdone things when the target gets hit by shrapnel.

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been there, wet mud behind outdoor range. I was only shooter. Just stood there thinking about the multiple splashes. Went home .Kinetic hammer next day.

Anyone else curious why someone would need a 120 grain bullet to travel 25 yards into cardboard at 3000fps?

A target just far enough away from the muzzle to not be torn will do it.

These are bullets where the plating has failed.

CoalCrackerAl said:

Im still waiting to hear back from Accura.

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That's not good. RMR, MBC, GT Bullets, Quality Cast, Hunter's, Reeds... everyone I buy bullets from except Grizzly (Cast Performance) has typically responded in 24 hours or less to a question about max velocity or safe use. Grizzly I can kind of understand since that's not exactly their main thing but cast bullets isn't Reeds main thing either and they responded in an hour when I asked about their "Penetrator" .357" cast bullets. BTW: NO they are NOT intended for light, thin-skinned game!
If you don't hear back I'd suggest looking for another seller. There are plenty who support this forum directly.

jmorris said:

These are bullets where the plating has failed.

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Ummm, is this right? I find that any plated bullet leaves that grey residue on targets shot close up (a foot or two). My experience is all with pistol bullets, but the grey residue is not an indication of bullet failure, just what plated bullets do because the plating comes off a little while the bullet goes down the rifling. I see this on factory ammo and reloads.

CoalCrackerAl said:

I heard back from them. They are good for any .308 with a 1/10 twist. He said he did his testing with a .308 rifle. 30.06 will be fine too.

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Excellent! IMR 4895 and IMR 4064 seem to be back in availability if you'd prefer to use a slower powder and try for that 3Kfps mark. I don't think 2400 will get you there. Might but I doubt it.