Lead load data for Copper Plated

[Compound8.0]

I'll set it up . I load .380 , 9mm , .38 spec , 357 mag on the Lee Turret press and am fairly new to reloading ( 3years ) and loving it .
Thing is my LGS stocks Frontier plated at a good price and they work well for me over HP38 but have to use CFE till HP 38 comes in . Anywho I need confirmation that this brand plated bullet can be used with lead data of same weight ( data books that don't show data for plated say to use lead data for comparable weight plated ) . So do I use data say for LSWC for plated RN , of course staying within recommended velocity for plated , and work up from there . The 2015 Hodgon annual manual says to do this " for plated bullets such as Berrys, use existing lead data for the same weight plated bullet " does this apply even with different configurations between lead and plated bullets . Not a problem with .380 as the data is there for plated but other calibers only show lead data mostly in LSWC in the weights I have of plated . All data I use comes from books not Internet ( with the exception of this trusted site ! ) and I would like to see it here from the horses mouth so to speak . Thanks in advance .

 

[LiveLife]

I do not know the thickness of South African Frontier plated bullets you have but I think they come in two thickness with "match" being thicker so you may need to ask the LGS if they are regular plated or thick plated.

With regular plated bullets (.004"-.008"+), I have used lead load data and up to mid range jacketed load data with good results as accuracy fell above mid range jacketed load data.

With thicker plated bullets (.012"+), I use jacketed load data.

Hodgdon, Accurate and other published load data has loads for regular/thick plated bullets for Berry's, Rainier and other plated bullets. So if you can find plated load data, I would use published load data but if not, use lead/up to mid range jacketed load data that produces greatest accuracy.

 

[egd]

FWIW, I"m using the124 rn RMR plated which I believe is more of a "match" or heavier plated bullet. I use CFE and Win 231(same as hp-38). My loads I like so far are: CFE 5.0-5.1 gr and Win231 4.0-4.1 gr. Both with oal of 1.130.
OH, 9mm

 

[VThillman]

It can't hurt to start with load data for #2 alloy (15bhn) and work up from there.

 

[LiveLife]

RMR lists .012"-.014" plating thickness for their HM bullet - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/9mm-...e-Plated-1000-Ct-9mm-124-RMR-HC-FLAT-1000.htm

Hodgdon lists the following for lead/thick plated/jacketed bullets but note different listed OAL/COL. If you are using shorter OAL, use more conservative load data - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

125 GR. Lead CN CFE Pistol COL 1.125" Start 4.4 gr (1,041 fps) 27,200 PSI - Max 5.0 gr (1,156 fps) 33,000 PSI

124 GR. BERB HBRN TP CFE Pistol COL 1.150" Start 4.9 gr (1,006 fps) 27,300 PSI - Max 5.5 gr (1,120 fps) 33,800 PSI

125 GR. SIE FMJ CFE Pistol COL 1.090" Start 4.6 gr (1,009 fps) 26,900 PSI - Max 5.1 gr (1,118 fps) 33,000 PSI

125 GR. Lead CN W231/HP-38 COL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1,009 fps) 25,700 CUP - Max 4.4 gr (1,086 fps) 31,200 CUP

124 GR. BERB HBRN TP W231/HP-38 COL 1.150" Start 3.9 gr (920 fps) 27,400 PSI - Max 4.4 gr (1,037 fps) 31,900 PSI

125 GR. SIE FMJ W231/HP-38 COL 1.090" Start 4.4 gr (1,009 fps) 24,600 CUP - Max 4.8 gr (1,088 fps) 28,800 CUP

 

[ku4hx]

What does the maker say? I never heard of Frontier, but Berry's and X-Treme both offer loading recommendations. On several occasions I've contacted the Ramshot people about loads for plated bullets not specified in their data and they've always responded. Maybe Frontier will do the same.

The recommendation to use #2 alloy data is a good one.

 

[LiveLife]

Frontier's website is currently down - http://www.frontierbullets.co.za/

But their facebook page is operational - https://www.facebook.com/FrontierMetalProcessing

 

[LiveLife]

No plating thickness or load data information available on their CMJ (Complete Metal Jacket) plated bullets which I believe is the regular thickness plated bullets - https://www.facebook.com/FrontierMetalProcessing/app_410312912374011?ref=page_internal

CMJ Bullets are world renowned for their superb performance, accuracy and consistency. Frontier Metal Processing manufacture CMJ Restrike bullets since 1996, and has over the years perfected the process to a product that is used by top shooters around the world.

Notable features of the CMJ Bullets are:

Complete Metal Jacket
Lead Antimony Core
Accurate bullet weight and size
Restrike – For ultimate consistency

 

[mdi]

The issue of how to reload plated bullets comes up quite often, and the best solution is to contact the manufacturer or visit their website.

I have only loaded mebbe 1200 plated bullets and use lead data. I can see no reason to try to drive a plated bullet to jacketed velocities, or to try and get right up to the edge of the bullet's velocity limit. The "mid-level jacketed data" is a manufacturer's "reasonable limit" for plated bullet velocities. Besides, the load data for lead and the load data for jacketed overlap quite a bit.

If I'm looking for high velocity in a specific gun, I'm gonna go with jacketed bullets. For my "normal" shooting (handguns, target and hunting) I can do very well with lead bullets (plus, I've run plain based lead bullets to around 1300 fps in my .357, so I can if I need to). I'd suggest loading plated bullets, starting at lead bullet starting load levels, and increase the load, if necessary. Your target will never know the difference...

 

[Compound8.0]

Wow , thanks for the quick responses . I have been using FMG plated in 115 gr ( 9mm ) and 158 gr ( .38/.357 mag ) over HP38 since I started reloading and always satisfied . Frontier doesn't give data as they state they are used in so many different counties with a wide variety of powders . My LGS only gets the two weights above from this brand and says to treat them as jacketed and over 3K rounds in and no problems . I'm thinking of placing an order with RMR to get different weight bullets in plated so a question again is their match grade or regular , as mdi says , "my target won't know the difference " LOL . And thanks again group for the info and tips , I knew I would get some good advice here !

 

[Hondo 60]

Manuals tend to say "use lead data"

Bullet mfgs, like Berry's, say low to mid jacketed data.

You'll just have to play around with it & decide what's best for your situation.

 

[Average Joe]

I always start with the lead data for a plated bullet. Then slowly work your way up.

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9897359&postcount=10

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6195350&postcount=11