Plated bullet differences - Mythbusting at 25/50 yards

[LiveLife]

When were scoring or taping up USPSA targets shot at less then five yards with plated bullets we often see a spiral shaped pattern of copper on the targets. The pattern is about a inch or more in diameter. I don't know what brands of plated bullets cause this. I'd wager the accuracy is effected.

Interesting. Were these USPSA minor power factor loads?

In all the years of shooting various plated bullets (Berry's, PowerBond, Rainier, RMR, Speer Gold Dot/TMJ, X-Treme), I have not seen 1"+ spiral copper pattern on target but I mostly shoot at 7/10/15/25 yards with pistols and 25/50/100 yards with carbines.

I can do some 5 yard testing at minor PF to see if I can detect any copper pattern on target.

 

[Walkalong]

I have shot a lot of them on target at 7 yards with the chrono at 5 yards and have never seen this.

I have however seen a lot of grossly over crimped reloads over the years and wonder if this is a factor.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Update:

- Shooting in the rain - Since I will be shooting a lot of targets, for now will continue to use 8.5x11 copy paper due to low cost. I have plenty PVC pipes so will make a target holder with rain cover to see how it works.

How about making an awning (like we had over windows before A/C) with the clear plastic. You won't usually be shooting it full of holes (unless you're shaky) and the clear will let light through and you won't have to sight through the plastic.

 

[LiveLife]

I actually have used cardboard as rain "awning" but this winter, we had some torrential rain fall with gusts of winds that produced what we call "sideways rain".

Usually, light rain/drizzle is not that much of a problem but thanks to tropical "pineapple express" atmospheric river, another problem has been that we got double the rain fall this winter around 60 inches so far since October. Due to heavy rain, even when it hasn't rained for a day, the steep dirt road up the mountain where I need to go the final several miles has been getting muddy and soft.

So no shooting for me until ground get to dry out enough so I won't be mud sledding down the mountain off the cliff.

In the meantime, work continues on different prototypes of "machine rest" for accuracy testing - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ng-at-25-50-yards.808446/page-3#post-10378873

 

[Laphroaig]

- Shooting in the rain - Since I will be shooting a lot of targets, for now will continue to use 8.5x11 copy paper due to low cost. I have plenty PVC pipes so will make a target holder with rain cover to see how it works.

I realize I'm a little bit late to this party but since its an ongoing project I'll throw in my .02. Have you ever heard of "Rite in the Rain" paper?

http://www.waterproofpaper.com/rite-in-the-rain.html

It might cost .15 a sheet but would be a lot easier than building and then having to set up a cover. You do need laser printer capabilities to make copies.

 

[LiveLife]

The area I shoot at is over 7 miles up steep mountain dirt road with last mile being full off-road over cliffs with light rock climbing.

While I can certainly shoot in the rain, what I didn't realize was the muddy slippery dirt road I have to navigate up with street tires on the 4x4 Suburban. So I have to wait until rain stops enough days for the dirt road to dry out which hasn't been the case the last 3 months with only 1-2 days of sunny/partly sunny days.

I am looking for an alternate shooting spot which is more accessible and closer where I can shoot at with one sunny day.

 

[LiveLife]

Just ordered Spartan-9 billet lowers from Joe Bob Outfitters ($149 with free shipping) and they are on their way to the FFL - https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Sp...ine_Compatible_Billet_Lower_p/jb-spartan9.htm

These lowers will be used to finish 16" PSA M-Lok and Keymod uppers as CA legal featureless carbines.

Based on reviews I have read so far, I anticipate reliable feeding with 10 round Glock magazines.

 

[Toprudder]

I know this thread is about plated bullets, but I thought I would share my recent experience.

I finally finished up my PSA 16" 9mm AR. I found that round nose bullets tended to feed more reliably. As I was expecting the muzzle velocity to be high enough to restrict my plated bullet choices, I only tried 147gn plated bullets (Xtreme) to keep the velocity below the rated 1200fps. While they fed and shot well, (grouping was about 2.5" @ 50, 1230fps) I was very pleased with the results I got from RMR 115 FMJ. I was getting 1500fps and 10 shot group sizes are consistently 1.5" @ 50. I suspect the 147 were transonic most of the way to the target, while the 115 should not go transonic until past ~ 75 yards. At some point I may try some of the thicker plated bullets.

 

[LiveLife]

I was very pleased with the results I got from RMR 115 FMJ.

Yes, the 115 gr FMJ bullets RMR makes in-house sure is consistent. While shooting USPSA matches, Montana Gold jacketed bullets were my match bullets as they were consistent with weight and OAL. Bullet-to-bullet weight variance was less than a grain and OAL/COL variance was less than .005".

With RMR 115 gr FMJ, bullet-to-bullet weight variance is less than .5 grain and OAL variance is less than .003" and replaced both Montana Gold and Winchester jacketed bullets as my accuracy reference bullet. RMR is anticipating release of their in-house manufactured 124 gr FMJ soon and I look forward to testing them.

At some point I may try some of the thicker plated bullets.

For lower cost and performance, it's hard to beat RMR Hardcore Match thick plated bullets.

Here are 17" Just Right carbine 25 yard 10 shot groups of RMR 115 gr FMJ and 115 gr Hardcore Match RN bullets loaded to 1.130" OAL with 4.2-4.3 gr of IMR Target - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-vectan-ba-9-5-ba-9.817796/#post-10508215

And 124 gr Hardcore Match RN loaded to 1.145" with 4.2-4.3 gr of IMR Target

 

[Toprudder]

As always, good info BDS!

I have some 115 and 124 RMR HM bullets, I just have not tried them yet in my carbine. I love the way they shoot in my pistol, though.

My thoughts for the 16" barrel were to either stay subsonic with heavy bullets, or go as supersonic as I can with a light bullet. So far, I am liking the fast/light option. My best load thus far is with RMR 115 FMJ, seated to 1.100", and 6.1gn Power Pistol.

So far I have just tried Power Pistol, but I also want to try BE-86 and AA#7 to see if I can safely get some more velocity.

 

[Walkalong]

it's hard to beat RMR Hardcore Match thick plated bullets.

Agreed, great bullets for plated.