45 Colt and plated bullets

[aladdin]

has anyone here compared plated to lead as far as velocity difference with the same powder charge. I would like to know the actual difference of 250-255 gr lead VS 250gr Berrys or 255gr X-treme. because I do not own a chrony. yet.

 

[rcmodel]

What does it matter??

At most, there would be 50-75 FPS difference, probably shading on the cast bullet side.

And anything from paper targets to Griz you shot with it could not possibly tell the difference.

The best thing to do is, worry about handload accuracy.
The velocity you get will sort itself out in the process.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, lead is easier to push through the bore so, in general, it will be a little faster than plated.

I like the 255 Gr X-Treme bullet.

 

[45lcshooter]

I only have shot lead in my LC, prollyv helps that i got 3k lead bullets at an estate sale. To me there wouldn't be much difference in speeds.

 

[aladdin]

thanks for the replys. I agree with the thinking that the plated loads will be a bit slower. The only published data I have found for plated bullets is for accurate powders. I like the results with HP-38 the best so far. Just wondered if anyone had actual velocity numbers. only to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[Texmex247]

plated vs lead

I started off doubting the performance of plated bullets in the 45 colt. Always thinking these old guns would just shoot better with those soft lead bullets. Now, I am a firm believer in them. I have tried at least a half dozen different brands of lead projectiles, mostly in the 200 - 255gr range. All with satisfactory results, however, pushing the plated bullets(mostly berrys) with similar powder charges as lead counterparts has made for some interesting results. I need to get home and look over some chrono-data but I'm pretty sure that they ran at higher velocities with the exact same powder measures with minimal copper fouling and awesome accuracy. I'll look over some info and report back tomorrow.

 

[aladdin]

I started off doubting the performance of plated bullets in the 45 colt. Always thinking these old guns would just shoot better with those soft lead bullets. Now, I am a firm believer in them. I have tried at least a half dozen different brands of lead projectiles, mostly in the 200 - 255gr range. All with satisfactory results, however, pushing the plated bullets(mostly berrys) with similar powder charges as lead counterparts has made for some interesting results. I need to get home and look over some chrono-data but I'm pretty sure that they ran at higher velocities with the exact same powder measures with minimal copper fouling and awesome accuracy. I'll look over some info and report back tomorrow.

Texmex
Waiting for you to report back. I have been loading berrys 250 and Xtreme 255 with good results I am on my second box of 500 Xtremes the best groups are with 6.5g HP-38 Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8" and a 3-3/4" montado and a 7-1/2" new Vaquero all three group about the same. Also I found that seating deeper 1.560 COL instead of the normal 1.6 mostly eliminated the sooting of the brass.