I'm crossing over!

Funny post because I am about to cross back over from plated to jacked. I like the way they shoot, don't get me wrong. But you are almost literally paying the same price for what I would deem an inferior product. Im going to give Zero a try for the first time when my next order comes. Already been order, just have load them up. Kind of happy I did made the move.

Now I have not shot them, but so far as plated go, I doubt you will notice a difference unless your loading magnum loads. Even then I doubt you will see anything bad depending on the plating company, as some are thicker than others.

My move was strictly a principle move. I'm paying almost the same price for a piece of lead with a few thousandths of copper coated on it? Which by the way shot great, but I want to see how the real McCoy shoots as I have never loaded any FMJ plinkers with jacketed bulletes.

It mostly depends on what you want to do with them. Rainier recommends cast bullet data, and berry recommends low to mid level jacketed data.

The problem with plated bullets is that if you push them too fast you'll lead just like a cast bullet, and if you push them too fast you'll leave behind the copper plating inside the bore, and the next shot will not be pretty. Just load them normally for plinking and having fun, and save the romping stomping loads for the jacketed bullets. I load the rainier plated bullets out of my 1911 and they shoot exceptionally well, and are fun to shoot at the plate racks at the club.

Don't do it.
You can buy excellent JACKETED bullets from Montana Gold, Zero Bullets, or Precision Delta for no more and, in bulk, for less tha plated bullets.
Move to cast lead bullets.

I've loaded .40 with nothing but plated or lead. No problems. Only jacketed I've used is WWWB.
Can't really tell the difference except lead smokes. I think they run about 900 fps (180 TC).

+1 Walkalong & Plated Bullets

I love plated bullets, and I cast for umpteen calibers, rifle & pistol. I consider them the equal of jacketed bullets in pistols, and get superb accuracy in my 45s (and, yes, I shoot them in my Glock 21 with zero leading/smearing/anything), 38/357s and 9mms. I don't remember the last source (Ranier, Berry's, whomever), but there are several and they are all great. They tout their own, which is fine, but I haven't observed any differences. At 15 yds, using both Bullseye & Unique and 200 gr plated HPs I can shoot the x-ring out with my tuned up Colt Combat Commander. There are some technical/mechanical considerations you need to be aware of when reloading plated bullets, but that is for another thread - when you're ready to go, ask: you will be literally inundated with suggestions, caveats and testimonials...

+1 to Walkalong and Maj Dad.

When I got into reloading pistol rounds, I started with plated bullets. They have literally performed as well as any bullet from any manufacture I have ever used. I have observed 0 leading or copper fouling. They were my go to round for all non-magnum pistol rounds.

Magnum rounds I used jacketed bullets that had cannelures (i know i misspelled it). Basically so I had something concrete to roll crimp into. Hornady sells 2 varity's of XTP's, they look identical but one specifically says Magnum. Those are what I plink with and hunt with Barnes. Does it really matter? I dunno. I fell into the hype that says not to push a plated bullet past 1300 fps. Im sure some of 357sig rounds have approached that velocity and most definitely my 357 mag with 0 problems.

Im with Walkalong with the data as well. I just started at the bottom of the jacketed data and worked my loads up. I have developed some good loads that shoot way better than factory ammo.

I tried 9MM plated with Berry's plated bullets and found one that especially shot well with low to medium loads : the 124gr HBRN.

The delivered price is slightly less at Berry's (today: 9.5 cents each in lots of 1K) vs MG or Zero equivalent bullets with the recent price increases. http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14844-c11-g8-b0-p0-9mm_124gr_HBRN.aspx

Berry's is in the process of introducing a new plated HP bullet in 45 ACP, then 40 cal, then 9mm. The preliminary tests (thread on this forum) show Gold Dot characteristics. If the price is comparable to other Berry's bullets and it performs as advertised, it's going to be a winner..

I don't work for Berry's. I just like good bullets.

Happy anniversary! Where are you taking her out to eat?

I've given them all a fair shake. Each type has it's sweet spot (or range) that it likes to work in. I like them all. As Walkalong stated, don't ask it to do what it wasn't designed to do.

Just like guys who want to push 38spl into 357mag territory - hello? - if they'd just start with the 357mag, they'd already be there.

I skipped the plated and went to lead from MBC. I'm really having a blast with 9MM and 45 ACP. So I'm cheap.LOL.

I use the Rainier bullets. They make them a few miles from here. They work well at the lower velocities, and are quite accurate. I shoot them through Glocks and have had no problems. The 124gr. RN 9mm bullets in my 17L shoot nice tight groups, just a ragged hole at close range. Works well in 10mm too. If you think about it, they actually could be more accurate than jacketed bullets --if they are made uniformly. I suspect they will get better over time too. I've heard of QC problems, but I haven't experienced any.

I know they recommend lower velocities, but I also know they make the original bullet for the .50 Beowulf, the 334gr. Could be 335gr. now. Anyway, that bullet goes about 1600fps or so. I tested the Beowulf for use as a specialty tool for our unit in the army, and this is what they sent. It'll go through an interceptor vest, a jug of water, a railroad tie, a couple of cinder blocks, and a few inches of rocky soil, and expands into a 1-1.5" disc. The plating peeled back and actually looks like a jacket. Like the 9mm, these were very accurate too. The Beowulf shoots about MOA at 100m with these rounds.

Everyone who is happy shooting plated bullets at jacketed bullet prices, have at it and stay safe. To me, they are the bastard child of bullets. Can't do what jacketed does and no where near as inexpensive as quality cast bullets.
I find that it is hard to beat, if even possible, to beat Zero 121gn JHPs ($282/3000) and Montana Gold 124gn JHPs ($308/3750) in 9x19 and .38 Super.
You can buy Montana Gold 115gn JHPs for $310/4000. That is just under 8 cents a bullet. Zeros will run about $283/3000 (though I think Powder Valley has then for less) or just over 9 cents a bullet.
For a heavy bullet, you can get Zero 147gn JHP for $195/2000.
Then, I can get Missouri Bullet's 9mm 125gn L-SWC "SWC Bundle" for $192/3000 or just a hair over 6 cents a bullet.

Everyone who is happy shooting plated bullets at jacketed bullet prices, have at it and stay safe. To me, they are the bastard child of bullets. Can't do what jacketed does and no where near as inexpensive as quality cast bullets.

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Exactly. As an ardent bullet caster I have a hard time seeing the logic in plated bullets. In fact, the only uses I have for any jacketed bullet is deer hunting over 100 yds. elk hunting, and long range rifle shooting. Cast bullets in my handguns are every bit as accurate as jacketed and since I cast my own from wheelweights, they're virtually free.
I've never compared plated bullets to commercial cast lead bullets but the lead ones would have to be quite a bit cheaper I'd think.

35W

I like them because it really cuts down on time spent cleaning.

As an ardent bullet caster I have a hard time seeing the logic in plated bullets.

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+1. Cast your own, and reload for the price of .22 rimfire.

Don

Skip the plated bullets and switch to cast. Let's see, looking at .45ACP offerings, 2000ct Rainier plated for $265 or 2000ct cast for $160. Sounds like a no-brainer. 9mm cast bullets are dirt cheap at $60/1000.

Phew! When I read the title of this thread I thought is was going to be about changing gender.

noylj said:

Everyone who is happy shooting plated bullets at jacketed bullet prices, have at it and stay safe. To me, they are the bastard child of bullets. Can't do what jacketed does and no where near as inexpensive as quality cast bullets.

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There was a time when plated bullets neatly filled the niche between cast and jacketed. But that was also when the price of energy was easily offset by the cost of the copper. Those days are long gone.