Lead vs. Plated vs. Jacketed

[fractal7]

So I'm trying to nail down a go-to 9mm load because I want to start frequenting IDPA matches more often. Most (by most I mean 95%) of my shooting is outdoors and I discovered plated bullets as a great way to save money over jacketed. But now here is what I am thinking

Rocky Mountain Reloading sells 1000 plated 115gr RN for $94, and 1000 JHP 115gr for $95. At this price difference why would anyone want to go for plated and not necessarily just go straight for a jacketed round?

Also I have been looking at Missouri Bullet and their 115gr bullets you get get a 1000 for about $52, which is definitely a fantastic deal. Is there any reason, besides an indoor range, why it would be a better idea to stick with the jacketed rounds? The extra $43 would cut the cost down an additional ~$2.15 per "box" of 50 which is a pretty good savings. The only problems I foresee are that most load books have jacketed data and possibly the jacketed rounds running through the gun cleaner.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

I have used all 3. I like all three for different calibers. I use FMJ for 9mm, plated for .40, and lead for .45. I, like most reloaders have pet loads for each of these. I still play around with different powders and projectiles, always looking for something better...lol. Half the fun of reloading is trying new combinations. And if you look a bit harder, you can find FMJ 9mm's cheaper than $95 per 1k. Last order I placed, I got them for $78 per 1k.


Bass

 

[LiveLife]

Rocky Mountain Reloading's (longdayjake) Montana Gold bullets is brass jacketed (not copper jacketed) and perhaps that's why the price is comparable to copper plated Rainier Ballistics bullets. Comparing to lead bullet price, for some, the cost difference would definitely be a factor. If the indoor range allow lead bullets (like my local range), I say go for it and have fun.

 

[Walkalong]

Any of the three will work just fine. Lead can be just as accurate as the others in pistol. It's especially easy to load in autos, with .45 being the easiest IMHO.

Lead will be a bit smokey, mostly from the lube, but some because it is lead. It is definitely the cheapest by far. If you are competing and going through a lot of bullets, it adds up fast.

The moly coated bullets are another option.

Billy Bullets, Precision, BBI

 

[LiveLife]

Any of the three will work just fine. Lead can be just as accurate as the others in pistol.

Walkalong, I forgot about cowboy action pistol/bullseye - I stand corrected. Cowboy action pistol/bullseye matches use lead bullets and some of the loads can be deadly accurate. I have not seen issues with smoke from bullet lube. I think it adds to the drama of period time costumes and firearms.

Whichever bullet you use for match shooting, conduct range tests and determine if the accuracy is sufficient for you. Most match targets are set at 7-15 yards with few out to 20-25 yards. I use 1/2 sheet of 8x11 copy paper as my test targets since it is comparable to "A" zone and I can get all of my shots inside the 1/2 sheet regardless whether I use jacketed/plated/lead.

* changed the lead bullet info on the link.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6366272#post6366272

 

[whoyouknow]

Commercial casts lead the barrels of users because they are often too hard (made as such to survive shipping), not enough lube, and poorly fitted.

A well fitted, proper hardness lead cast will not lead the barrel and out perform a fmj any day of the week because it has a better gas seal.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

bds, I dont mean to disprove your comments about Montana Gold bullets, but I have not found them to be as accurate as other brands in comparable weights/size. I tried extensively to get them as accurate as I could, it just didnt happen. Part of that is probably my production gun, the M&P 9Pro. I agree it is very finicky. I am using Zero FMJ's and Precision Delta HP bullets with better results. I am also doing some testing with Black Bullets Int'l bullets to see if the cost savings is worth the switch. In my .45 all I use is the BBI bullets.


Bass

 

[LiveLife]

Bass Ackwardz, accuracy depends on many variables. I believe over the years, quality of commercially available bullets (jacketed/plated and even lead) have increased and may be comparable enough that minor difference may not make that much difference - other than cost.

What works for one person using particular press/dies/powder/OAL/gun/barrel may not necessarily work for another person with different press/dies/powder/OAL/gun/barrel.

Whichever bullet you use for match shooting, conduct range tests and determine if the accuracy is sufficient for you.

I think ultimately the actual range test by the shooter will determine which combination is best based on the accuracy of shot groups.

 

[MissouriBullet]

Commercial casts lead the barrels of users because they are often too hard (made as such to survive shipping), not enough lube, and poorly fitted.

A well fitted, proper hardness lead cast will not lead the barrel and out perform a fmj any day of the week because it has a better gas seal.

Well, maybe not all commercial cast bullets are like that.

Brad

 

[Tilos]

fractal7: Gun/Barrel/Pwr Factor Y/N????

Answers here would help us a lot

 

[fractal7]

So I'm shooting a 4" XD Service. I was mostly interested with just the advantages over the costs for lead and jacketed. I'm leaning towards the montana gold JHP bullets right now.

 

[Sapper771]

I am currently reloading using Rocky Mountain Reloading 115gr FMJ. I was using BBI's 115gr LRN. I prefer the FMJ because it is much cleaner while I am loading it. While using the BBIs I had slivers of lead and poly coating all over my press/bench/rounds, which may not be an issue for you. The BBIs were good bullets, but I found that I was still having to swab lead out of my barrels after I shot, which again may not be an issue for you. The FMJs just felt like they were easier to load as well.
I have not used regular lead yet, but I will more than likely try it out in 45 acp sometime.

 

[Tilos]

Fractal7; thanks for the info.
Many people here load for the XD, but not me.
I recall threads about this gun and bullet types.
I think the guy who had the XD 9 is TonyAngel, so you might want to search his posts in the reloading forum.
This may get you the info you are looking for.

Here you go: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=508832

Tilos