Plated Bullets in Old Rifles, Any Harm?

[Speedo66]

I've seen many posts warning against using copper jacketed bullets in old rifles. The thought being the old steel barrels were soft and might be damaged by the hard jackets.

Because of this I've refrained from shooting jacketed bullets through my Winchester 1873 and Trapdoor Springfield.

My question now concerns plated lead bullets like Berry's. Does anyone have real information as to whether or not the nominal copper plating on these bullets will cause any harm to these old steel barrels?

I'm looking for hard facts, not anecdotal thoughts.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Well you are out of luck then.

But common sense tells me a copper jacket, no matter how it is applied to the lead bullet, gives more bore friction then a soft lead bullet with lubricating grease on it.

But thats just an anecdotal thought.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, copper is copper.

 

[ants]

Well, plated bullets won't be as bad as jacketed bullets, since true jackets will be cupronickel or gilding metal alloys. Plated bullets are pure copper on the outside, given the nature of electroplating.

Nevertheless, copper much rougher on a bore than lead. Just like the boys above said.

If I had a real 1873 and a real Trapdoor, I wouldn't dare use anything but l
lead.
Besides, I think it's cooler to use self-cast lead in older firearms. Shoot lead.

 

[Jim Watson]

While a thin copper plating on a soft lead core is not going to be as hard to engrave and drive down the barrel as a drawn gilding metal jacket on an antimonial lead core, it still will not seal the barrel as well as greasy lead. A major source of barrel wear is erosion by hot gases and the better the bullet seals the barrel, the less gas cutting. I would (DO!) stick to lead in old or even repro guns of the 19th century.

 

[Speedo66]

I thank you all for your replies, anecdotal or otherwise. ;>)

Agreed, I'll stick to lead.