357mag

[Col]

Hi guys. I usually load my 357mag with with about 6 gns of Unique,I am using
lead gas checked bullets from my marlin 94'
What I would like to do is use a hotter load using copper plated bullets.In my
Lee second edition it has a load for jacketed bullets using 2400 which I have,but for copper bullets it says accur 7 8 or 9. the question is can i regard copper as jacketed and would the 2400 be suitable,
thanks in advance

 

[Walkalong]

The 2400 is suitable, but plated bullets are a unique type unto their own. Running them at midrange to 75% of jacketed data is usually fine. In some instances they can be driven to 100% of jacketed data, especially the Powerbond plated bullets. You should be able to step up your load some to satisfactory levels using plated. I run a Powerbond plated 125 at around 1300 FPS and an X-Treme plated 158 at around 1100 using N-340, Unique, etc.

Plated bullet data link

 

[Presto]

The plated bullets will not hold up to much more velocity than plain lead in my experience. The copper plating will rub off and the very soft lead core will lead the barrel badly. For higher velocities, I would just go with jacketed.

 

[rcmodel]

Please read this about that:

http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq.aspx?n=32448

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Using 2400 is fine as long as you don't push the plated bullets too hard as said above.

 

[Walkalong]

The plated bullets will not hold up to much more velocity than plain lead in my experience. The copper plating will rub off and the very soft lead core will lead the barrel badly.

Never had it happen at up to 1400 FPS. What velocities did you manage to do this?

That said, plated bullets are not jacketed bullets, and cannot be treated like them, but they are not lead either. Check the links in Post #2, they are full of helpful data.

 

[45commander]

If you want to go to a hotter load, here's one that works well for me. Either 180 or 158 grain Hornady XTP bullets with a max or near max load of Lil' Gun. I have gotten excellent accuracy with these components in both pistol and rifle. If you compare powders, you'll see that LG is in the top tier for slinging bullets fast, but does so at a much lower pressure than the old standby's for hot loads. I have also used these components with .360 Dan Wesson casings with excellent accuracy. The XTP's perform extremely well on deer, too. My son shot a small buck with a GP100 using the 158's and dropped it. He also killed a big doe last year with the .360 DW casing and 180 grain XTP from a Handi-Rifle...great bullet performance.

Of course, if you already have the plated bullets and 2400, this suggestion is kinda moot unless you just want to spend more money.

 

[Hondo 60]

Berry's, Rainier, & HSM all say you shouldn't push their plated bullets over 1200 fps.

 

[Walkalong]

And it is a good rule of thumb.

 

[Seedtick]

Now these plated bullets can be loaded just like jacketed bullets.

These are my favorite plinkers in 357 sitting atop of a healthy dose of 2400.
Nice...

ST

 

[Walkalong]

I am running those Powerbond 125 Gr HP's at 1300 to 1350 with excellent accuracy. (When I do my part )

They actually like higher vs slower velocities. IMHO of course, but they behave a bit better at 1300 than 800.

 

[Seedtick]

Walkalong, have you noticed that these aforementioned plated bullets are actually faster than jacketed bullets of the same weight?
IIRC I'm getting ~ 50 fps more using the same powder charge.

ST

 

[Walkalong]

Interesting.

I have not shot the same exact load (I don't think) with both (different primers IIRC), and certainly not side by side under the same exact conditions. I don't have any 125 Gr jacketed bullets right now to test either.

The Zero bullets I had shot very well too, but the last time I needed some 125 Gr .38 bullets, I ordered the PB as they were a bit cheaper and had proven themselves as well. I'll look at my notes and see if I can detect any differences.

I am very happy with the 125 Gr PB bullet for my upper midrange .357 loads.

Very interesting observation Seedtick. I'll have to keep that test in the back of my mind to try one day. Same exact load, same exact crimp loaded at in the same run, and shot at the same time. I am using a heavy taper crimp on the PB bullets. I have used a heavy taper on the jacketed, as well as a medium roll crimp. It makes a difference in velocity.

 

[Hey_Allen]

If you're interested in doing the comparisons, I'd be willing to contribute some Montana Gold 125gr JHP bullets for speed testing, Walkalong.

Currently not loading, due to expense/income, and don't have a chrono so I can't tell just where they'd be anyhow.