Plated bullet velocity limits

[Twiki357]

Is anyone knowledgeable in plated bullets? I have been using X-Treme plated bullets for handgun reloads that are generally rated under 1,100 fps. I would like to use them for reloading 7.62x39 that would probably be in the 1,800 to 2,100 fps range. I have been told that the plated bullets are limited to about 1,200 to 1,400 fps or the plating can peal off in the bore. Berry’s indicates a max velocity of 1,700 fps for 110 grain bullets. The X-Treme 123 gr bullets are sized to .312, but no indication of velocity limits. They also have plated bullets for 223 & 308 that would be a lot greater velocity than 7.62x39. Does anyone have any definitive knowledge on the limits of plated bullets?

 

[Walkalong]

All the plated bullet companies use thicker plating on their rifle bullets, but offhand I do not remember the velocity limits. They should have it on the websites.

 

[jmorris]

Berrys handgun bullets make it to 1200 fps most of the time. Out of some barrels I have seen the jacket not make it to 1000 fps.

Load a few and fire them into cardboard up close. If leaves just a hole your ok. If there is a hole and what looks like airbrushed swirls of gray around it, that's lead and the plating failed.

 

[Berry's MFG]

I can't answer for another manufacturer, but we heavy plate our rifle calibers and give a max velocity rating for each one. For example our .30 carbine bullet will go to 1950fps.

 

[rsrocket1]

No absolute knowledge of the Xtreme plated bullets, only empirical experience.
I have shot over 500 of the 55g .224 "M193" fmjbt's at over 3000 fps and get clean paper punches at 100 yards. I've never seen evidence of a separated jacket on any of my targets. This is with 25g H335 in a 20" 1:7 AR. That being said, I don't know what their process is because these bullets seem to look like standard "full metal jacket" bullets where the back end has exposed lead. Maybe their plating process does not plate the center of the rear the same way their other plated bullets are. The .452 and .308's are 100% plated.

I have shot the .308 110g plated RN bullets at 1900fps+, but found a sweet spot down around 1800 with my .308 bolt rifle (10g Unique). I linked to some pictures of the bullet and my shots in this thread.

 

[ralph2]

I shoot a lot of X-treme plated bullets with mixed results. As far as velocity goes I have had good results at up to 2000fps from my marlin 357 rifle but have had plating peel off under 900fps from my 1911. I think you just have to see what works and what doesn't.

 

[Twiki357]

Thanks all. I've gone through a few 1000's of X-treme bullets, but all pistol and they have been good. They just recently added the rifle bullets so I guess I'll just have to hope for the same results.