Opinions in Regard to X-treme Plated vs. Heavy Plated Bullets

[BinRat]

I'm reloading for a 2nd generation Glock Model 23 .40 caliber. For all my other handguns, I've only used cast bullets, so I don't have much experience with plated or jacketed. Some time ago, I ordered 1000 180 gr flat point full metal jacketed bullets from RMR. I worked up loads using W231 and had very good results. I ended up using 4.3 gr for a lighter practice load. I'd like to get some more of those bullets, but they haven't been back on his site since then and it doesn't look likely that they will be.

Now to my question. Based on my evaluation from a lot of posts here, I'm going to try X-treme bullets, but wonder if the standard plated 180 gr flat nose will be OK for similar lighter practice loads, or whether I should opt for the heavy plated ones. I will be working up new loads, but again looking for a lighter practice one. From their site, it seems that the heavy plated are recommended for higher velocities, but that isn't my intent. Is there any reason I should get the heavy plated over the standard plate?

Thanks.

 

[ATLDave]

I've run a lot of .400 180gr X-treme bullets at ~950-1000 fps without any problem.

 

[wlkjr]

I use the Xtreme 180 gr. hollow points in my 10mm and really like them. I only load them light and they are accurate and fun to shoot. I've also shot them in my G23 but frankly, I just don't like that pistol. I think the heavy plates are supposed to be better for lower velocities. I have keyholing sometimes with a 147 round nose at lower velocities with the regular plating and have a box of the heavy plate but have not loaded them yet. But that is in 9mm.

 

[Edster12]

Normal plating up to 1,200fps ---1,200fps to 1,500fps heavy plated. No sense in spending the extra money if you aren't going to load above 1,200fps

 

[Mohave-Tec]

I've been shooting 155 in my 40 for no other reason than they were the first I ran across for my 40. I've shot thousands sense.

 

[BinRat]

ATLDave....are those standard plate or heavy plate?

 

[zaphar]

I think the heavy plates are supposed to be better for lower velocities. I have keyholing sometimes with a 147 round nose at lower velocities with the regular plating and have a box of the heavy plate but have not loaded them yet. But that is in 9mm.

That might have more to do with the velocity than the bullet. A heavier, slower bullet requires a more aggressive rifling twist rate to stabilize if you don't up the velocity. The heavy plate might work better in your polygonal barrel, but I don't really have much experience with that type of rifling, but there are people shooting lead out of their Glocks so it may not be much of an issue.

 

[Ex]

I use the Xtreme 180 gr. hollow points in my 10mm and really like them. I only load them light and they are accurate and fun to shoot. I've also shot them in my G23 but frankly, I just don't like that pistol. I think the heavy plates are supposed to be better for lower velocities. I have keyholing sometimes with a 147 round nose at lower velocities with the regular plating and have a box of the heavy plate but have not loaded them yet. But that is in 9mm.

I have exactly the opposite experience. When using Berrys that already are pretty soft, I have to slow them down to the bottom third of the velocity for that round, or the bullet "strips" in the rifling and doesn't get enough spin to stabilize it. At the higher velocities I get
heavier deposits of copper and/or lead. The bullet surface is simply too soft to handle the stress of rotational acceleration. Heavier plating or a true jacket solves this. When I first experienced this, I slugged the barrel to ensure correct tolerance. Tolerance was not the issue... it was hardness, as in the thickness of the copper plating/jacket.

The heavier plating should increase you usable fps range providing that the projectiles are sized correctly. The more copper makes the jacket stronger and able to withstand the extreme rotational acceleration.

 

[gahunter12]

I shoot the standard 180gr RSFP XTreme bullet out of my Glock 22,23, and 35. I see no need to go heavy platting myself.

 

[BinRat]

Thanks very much for the feedback.

 

[Havok7416]

I have used Xtreme bullets quite extensively in a number of calibers. They work just fine, even in my 10mm loads, which are near max. Not a lot of experience with Berry's though...

 

[BinRat]

I'd like to thank those that had experience with X-treme bullets and posted their input. As mentioned in my original post, I'd decided to try X-treme bullets and didn't know whether I should buy the standard plated X-treme bullets or the heavy plated X-treme bullets.

Last evening, I ordered 1500 standard plated and 500 heavy plated so I could work up loads and evaluate them. It seemed like a good idea, since they were offering 7% off all 38 and 40/10 bullets at the time and shipping was free.