Plated Bullets

[giggitygiggity]

I like Berry’s plated bullets as they’re more economical than jacketed bullets, yet they are super accurate.

With what data (jacketed, cast, or other) do you use to load when you use plated bullets? Thanks!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use cast data, but have worked my way up to starting jacketed data in some loads with no problems.

 

[brewer12345]

High end of lead or low end of jacketed seem to work well.

 

[Iroquois]

Most plated bullet manufactures will tell you how fast to push their bullets (Berry’s, Ranier, etc). I had the same problem trying to find the information for Ranier. I gave them a call and they suggested quite a few different powders and loads. I had great results. You can also search the archives here on THR, there is always a lot of available information there. Just my .02.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have had good luck with Berry's plated bullets too. They seem to have quite a thick plating on them.

I found out about RMR bullets from some posts on this forum. They carry jacketed bullets for about the price of plated bullets. When I am out of Berry's for a particular caliber I am going to give the RMR bullets a try.

https://www.rmrbullets.com/product-category/bullets/pistol/9mm-355/

 

[Riccochet]

I run Berry's on the low end of jacketed load data. Like mentioned the plating is thick. I've pushed them 1100 fps without issue. YMMV

 

[rfwobbly]

Berry Mfg answers that question in their FAQs...

https://www.berrysmfg.com/faq
.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

That depends on what caliber your loading for.
With 9mm, 40S&W, and 45ACP you would be hard pressed to get to the 1200fps that most plated bullet mfgs say there bullets are good for.
If your shooting .357 mag or something larger, then you need to observe the speed you shoot them at and stay in the limits the mfgs put on their bullets.
If you buy Thick plated bullets most of the mfgs say 1500fps is the speed limit for, then you don't exceed that.
With .357 Mag it would be hard to exceed that, and so on.
Cast data, Jacketed data, it just doesn't matter as long as you stay with in the speed limits put on the bullets by the manufacturers and don't drop below mid range lead data.
I load to max in my 9mms with 1200fps plated bullets but stay in mid range with my .357mags and 41 mags with 1200fps plated bullets. I try to keep them under 1200fps.
If I notice copper streaks in my barrel when I clean it (which is after every range trip) than I back down. I do see copper every once in a while but not often, but I like to push them so it's to be expected for me.

 

[brewer12345]

Tiger makes a good point. I generally load plated in 38 special to 38+P ranges, so I am never going to get anywhere near the rated velocities the manufacturers say you can get up to. If you are going too blast magnums out of a rifle barrel, plated probably isn't the way to go.

 

[alfsauve]

I have always used the data for hard cast lead bullets for plated ones. Start with a mid-range load and adjust as appropriate.

 

[Riomouse911]

My latest batch of Berry’s plated said good to 1250 FPS, so I find the loads that work best for what I intend to do with them under that max speed. (WC at 800 FPS, SWC and RN at higher speeds, etc.)

Stay safe!

 

[RandyP]

I have used a bunch pf Berry's and most recently went to X-Treme plated - their stuff shines like jewelry. I've always loaded plated in all calibers at the high end of lead / low/mid of jacketed.

 

[kcofohio]

I like Berry’s plated bullets as they’re more economical than jacketed bullets, yet they are super accurate.

With what data (jacketed, cast, or other) do you use to load when you use plated bullets? Thanks!

Some of Berry's have load data published by Hodgdon and Western Powders on their web site.

Other than that, I'll go to the low end of jacketed data and work up, if the bullet profiles seem similar.

There are a couple of Berry's I have grown fond of.

 

[kmw1954]

I have been loading plated in 9mm since I started with 9mm a couple years ago. Now I load plated in 380, 9mm and 45acp all with good results and at reasonable price points. I have been using Berry's and Xtreme and like them both and it used to be that the local Cabela's would run a sale on one or the other quite frequently. Since the buyout by BPS not so much. I also bought a boatload when Bullets.com closed down.

I have been watching and following here with the comments about RMR and am going to be trying those with my next purchase. Again most likely with the plated versions instead of the jacketed.

 

[brewer12345]

Kmw, I have been using berrys in 38 and 45 for a bit. Last year I bought some 38 rnfp plated bullets from rmr and I was impressed enough with them that I would buy again.

 

[WestKentucky]

If I’m loading cast or plated I intend to load a light charge. If I’m going anywhere from peppy to full tilt then I’m using an appropriate bullet.

 

[bob_atl]

I load both PFN and XTP 125 gn pills to 1400 fps from my 6" 686 (357Mag).
Use 10.0 gn Longshot for XTP and 10.5 gn for Rainer PFN.
Inspired by QL and checked by chrono.
These are stout loads but not full house magnums.
Time will tell on any copper from either, shoot mostly the PFNs.

 

[LD-Ordie]

i've had great results using plated bullets with my favorite being Everglades, but Xtreme and Berrys are also great. Just find Everglades a little cheaper, especially with the free shipping included. Everglades and Xtreme seem to have better discounts throughout the year, but some bullets by Berry's are rated for a higher velocity, so all depends of your caliber and load requirements

 

[Jack B.]

From the Hodgdon web site on reloading education. Lead bullets and copper plated lead bullets yield very similar pressure and velocity results, so when the weights are the same, the same data may be used for each.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/rel...a-do-i-use-when-my-specific-bullet-not-listed

 

[Rule3]

Berry Mfg answers that question in their FAQs...

https://www.berrysmfg.com/faq
.

Exactly, there is still so much confusion on load data for plated bullets
Any data can be used as long as one doesn't exceed max FPS like in the big guns.
I have not used Berrys for a long time but RMR plated bullets are so darn close to FMJ or TMJ I see no difference in them.
Their prices used to be much less than FMJ but now there is not much difference

Question: Do you have load data available? COL or OAL?


Please consult load data books or your powder manufacturers' website for load information. You can use any published data as long as it is the same weight (FMJ, Lead, Plated, etc.)

-Standard Plate Bullets max velocity- 1,250 fps.

-Thick Plate Bullets (TP) max velocity- 1,500 fps.

For SAAMI MAX COL specs or OAL of the bullet please click HERE.

We recommend a light crimp on the bullet, just enough to put pressure against the bullet without denting or deforming the plating. If you were to pull the bullet out of a case with the proper crimp you would find no more than a scratch on the surface of the plating. If you are denting or deforming the bullet, your accuracy will suffer and the bullet may start to tumble before it hits the target.

Here are websites with load data information,

https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-contentuploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_1-23-14.pdf

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

 

[Eddietruett]

If I’m loading cast or plated I intend to load a light charge. If I’m going anywhere from peppy to full tilt then I’m using an appropriate bullet.

Be careful with light charges with plated. Due to friction, they will run slightly slower than jacketed and even more difference in lead. I was getting squibs stuck in the barrel with XTreme 158gr THP loading them really light. I was using 3.0gr Bullseye. Went to 3.5gr and had no problems.
I have stopped using plated bullets all together. Switched to HyTek coated Lead. Cheaper, as accurate if not more so and shoots just as clean. I see no advantage to plated except they might be prettier.

 

[coondogger]

High end of lead or low end of jacketed seem to work well.

High and low in terms of velocity or in terms of powder charge?

 

[Axis II]

I like Berry’s plated bullets as they’re more economical than jacketed bullets, yet they are super accurate.

With what data (jacketed, cast, or other) do you use to load when you use plated bullets? Thanks!

Are you familiar with RMR bullets that’s owned by @longdayjake his full metal jacket bullets are top notch and same price if not cheaper than Berry’s. I used to shoot extreme and Berry’s but now shoot RMR.

 

[brewer12345]

High and low in terms of velocity or in terms of powder charge?

Powder charge.

 

[coondogger]

I’m interested in this thread because I would like to try berry’s bullets but am unsure how to use them in a recipe. I’ve not seen any recipes that specify plated bullets specifically.