Rainier bullets closing its doors

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Plated bullets these days cost more than coated with no advantage. Most FMJ bullets cost no more than plated so why buy them?

I wouldn't agree that there are no advantages versus coated - the coated are certainly a little dirtier in the gun and smokier (particularly with some of the hotter powders)... if you're trying to shoot rapidly early in the morning or late in the afternoon with low sun, the smoke can add some challenge. And, on the press, the coated often require a little more flare than the plated to seat without damage. But these aren't big advantages, and a lot of shooters don't want to pay any for the difference.

As for FMJ's, those have exposed lead bases. Some people don't want that.

Like you, I agree that the rise of coated had a big impact on the plated makers.
 
There are any number of reasons one would close down other than profitability. Could be they are just ready to retire and there is no one to take over control of the business. Could also be medical reasons or it could just be they tired of the daily grind and lost interest. Hopefully they can find an interested buyer.

A couple years ago the indoor range I shoot at was on the verge of closing after being there forever and traveling thru 3 different owners. That owner was ready to retire and the business had slipped downhill as I think the owner lost interest or motivation. Anyways, a month before he was supposed to close down he finally found a buyer for the business. The new owner has come in and reinvigorated the business, cleaned up, replaced the flooring and some new paint on the walls. Repaired the ventilation and range lights and they are now doing rather well.
 
I think a lot of plated bullet makers either entered or ramped up production and equipment during the Obama years, and then got hit by the combined impact of the Trump-slump and the widespread adoption of power-coated bullets by a lot of high-volume shooters.

I agree... during the Dark Ages everyone and their brother entered the firearm or firearm stuff business... a ready market for whatever you might be selling... but many of them are closing their doors, now that we are fat and happy with a supply glut. Factor in powder coated bullets... and that was just another nail in the plywood over the door.
 
Awe man! I'm bummed about this. I just started using Rainier about a year ago, and love them.
 
Plated bullets these days cost more than coated with no advantage. Most FMJ bullets cost no more than plated so why buy them?
The advantage for me is the smell. I don't like the burning plastic smell of coated bullets when shooting indoors. Outside it doesn't matter as you said.

As for FMJ vs plated I personally prefer plated because FMJ usually have exposed lead base. Again, for shooting indoors it's a small issue, and outdoors doesn't matter.
 
Eggleston's website gives the impression that the sale has occurred, or is at least underway, and that the shutdown is temporary. The Ranier one seems more like an indefinite shutdown with the hope that someone will buy the gear and brand. But who knows?
 
I have only been reloading about 5 years. At first I used a lot of plated bullets but over the past 18 months or so I have moved to mostly the Hi-Tek polymer coated bullets. They run about 20% less in price
 
This is what happens when you confuse your product (plated bullets) with your business (high volume reloaders looking for lowest cost bullet other than hard cast). Plated used to be about the only alternative to low cost hard cast and expensive jacketed. Coated bullets really took the reloaders by storm first as DIY for several years and then recently a few retailers. Berry’s was smart to start making and selling Hi-Tek coated bullets. Then the cost of jacketed was squeezed down. I see no point in plated bullets at all now. Coated bullets have all the advantages of plated plus higher velocity and much cheaper.

Sad to see Rainier go as they helped create that in between market supplying high volume shooters.
 
Wow, my very first reloads were 40 S&W using Rainier 155gn bullets. After that, I went on to use a lot of Xtreme bullets, but lately have been buying mainly RMR bullets.

I hate to see anyone close shop, the more competition the better.
 
Dam shame just found out when I ran out of their 9mm and 45acp 230grain. They were priced really well. Now to find another cheap plated bullet.
 
I used to shoot both Berrys and Rainier plated before I learned how to make boolits shoot without leading. Now I shoot boolits exclusively. No pc, just conventual lubed.
As uspo says, “If it fits, it ships (shoots)!”

But as others have said, I hate to lose even one gun related business in today’s anti gun environment!
 
I honestly thought plated bullets will sell better as suppressors has become popular. I have seen many with issues with coated and suppressors so I stick with plated. I know many will disagree as usual but I would becareful with suppressor and coated
 
There are any number of reasons one would close down other than profitability. Could be they are just ready to retire and there is no one to take over control of the business. Could also be medical reasons or it could just be they tired of the daily grind and lost interest. Hopefully they can find an interested buyer.

^^^Yep. Could be a family business where the family no longer gets along. Could be a divorce pending and neither spouse wanted the business. Could be a owner skimmed all the profits and bought an island in the Pacific. Now creditors and lawsuits are forcing the business to shut the doors permanently under the name of Rainier. Many business fail during hard times because of poor business practices during good times. You see it in the volatile building industry all the time.

Never used a Rainier bullet, but used a lot of Berry's and Xtreme's. Regardless of that and any reason they are gone, it is a loss to the shooting sports.
 
Problem I had with Rainer was that you couldn’t buy direct. The LGS that carried them sold them by 100 packs. Berry’s can be purchased direct or at retailer. Rainer has been around a long time. Guess they just decided to hang it up.
 
This thread is from last year, the company is closed. Midway etc. list them as discontinued. End of story apparently.
Now you know why THR auto archives threads after a period of time. ;)

However, if you do have update posts pertinent to the thread discussion, you can nicely PM Walkalong to reopen the archived thread. :thumbup:
 
Now you know why THR auto archives threads after a period of time. ;)

A boating forum I belong to the policy is after 90 days inactive the post is closed to all but the OP in case they want to make an update..
I have also just been hit with a question on a Hot Plate that was started in Nov. and hasn't been responded to since Jan. and the poster was quoting the original post from Nov.
 
Cabela's used to stock them. I bought a box of 500 9mm 124 grain HP's. Still have about 400 of them. Never did get a good load worked up for them that I was happy with. I won't let them go to waste, probably load em up in the next couple weeks. I won't spend much time looking for a perfect load since you can't get them anymore.
 
Just found in my bullet stash most of a 500 round box of Rainier plated 38 bullets, 158gr flat points, I think.

Sorry to hear they are gone, but the reloading world has changed rather a lot since I bought them back in the day.
 
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