Plated vs. FMJ

[Luggernut]

I've been reloading for a few months now and have used both Winchester FMJ and Berrys (for comparision they both have 124gr 9mm). I like using the Berrys indoors for the idea of reducing lead exposure. However is there any advantage of using the FMJ (with exposed lead bottom) over a plated bullet? I realize that at speeds over 1200 ft/sec it's not recommended to used plated but I don't think that's an issue for me with the loads I use (and it hasn't been a problem). The quality and consistency of the FMJ seems a little better but isn't noticable at the range (for me anyway). FMJ seems to cost a little more as well.

I'm also considering options for .40S&W and .45ACP.

 

[GaryL]

Did you mean to say "exposed copper or exposed lead" bottom?
I've been shooting both, and usually go for whatever is a bargain. I like not handling too much lead, and I go for functional accuracy anyway - meaning if I were to toss a can out and start blasting away at it - will I hit the damn thing?

 

[EddieCoyle]

Hey Lug,

For practice ammo, I go with plated bullets anytime I can find them for all of my handgun calibers. They're cheap and clean. The only downside is the lack of published load data for them.

It's not a big deal, I just spend a little time working up a load that my gun likes. In fact, I was just testing out a wide range of .44 Special loads with 240gr Berrys plated bullets this past weekend with a couple of NortheastShooters.com guys.

For magnum calibers, I don't load them hot, for hunting loads I stick with SJSP's and for SD/HD I use factory ammo.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

jacketed bullets are much tougher....can be used for hunting/loaded much hotter. For target practice, plated would probably be better simply because they are quite a bit cheaper and they almost eliminate lead exposure.

 

[SSN Vet]

plated...from my limited experience...

pros
low price....reduced lead exposure....good quality (consistant size, etc...)

cons
no canalure for crimping...limited velocity (comes into play with magnums hand gun loads and rifle loads)...not a lot of load data available.

 

[Steve H]

Load data for plated

I called Berry's the other day and asked about load data. They do not give out any BUT...............................they did state that if you were to look up the same shape and weight bullet in the books and stay in the lower half of the laod range (powder amount) you should be fine.

 

[Luggernut]

Great info guys... it helps justify my desire to use plated when I can.

GaryL- yes, I meant "exposed lead", thanks for the correction.

 

[alucard0822]

I use plated bullets in anything I would use lead bullets in, not in polygonal rifled barrels. The biggest danger from lead in shooting is from the small ammount that vaporizes at the back of the bullet when it is fired, so plated bullets solve this, and you don't have to touch the lead when loading them, The fact that they do not have a cannelure is not that big of a deal, a light crimp is the best way to load them, too heavy a crimp and peices of the plating will flake off. They virtually eliminate leading of the barrel, but copper is not as slick as lubed lead and they are not as strong as jacketed, it can be tough to get decent load data, I usually load them about 1/2 way between the lead and the jacketed starting loads and work them up from there, I don't go over the max load of whichever bullet type is lower, and have never had any problems, I think they are easier to work with than lead, and much cheaper than jacketed. I use them almost exclusively except for the occasional full power magnum loads or when I get a good deal on jacketed bullets.

 

[nitesite]

My .38/.357 158-gr SWC plated bullets from X-treme bullets are double-struck and have a very nice cannelure.

They can also be pushed pretty fast! IMHO there are no better plated bullets.

 

[SSN Vet]

Wow......have you guys checked out these....

Ghost Holster and Zero bullets

not the greatest selection, all the popular sizes are on back order and you'll have to spring for 1,000 pc buys, but we're talking jacketed bullets for ~$.06!!

any comments from you guys who have used them?

 

[JDGray]

Since plated bullets are creeping up close to jacketed prices,I load only jacketed now. Ghost products has great prices on Zero bullets, the only thing better then their prices, is the customer service, fastest shipping I ever seen

 

[Walkalong]

I called Berry's the other day and asked about load data. They do not give out any BUT...............................they did state that if you were to look up the same shape and weight bullet in the books and stay in the lower half of the laod range (powder amount) you should be fine.

They are being quite conservative here. Really. Work it up of course, but getting close to the top of jacketed data in 9mm, .40 & .45 has been fine for me. If you push them a bit to fast groups start to open up. Get the Zero's for pushing at high pressures and speeds, but you may be suprised at what the plated bullets can take, especially, I am told, the X-treme plated bullets.

Since plated bullets are creeping up close to jacketed prices,I load only jacketed now. Ghost products has great prices on Zero bullets, the only thing better then their prices, is the customer service, fastest shipping I ever seen

Yep, plated used to be MUCH cheaper than jacketed, but no longer. I like various plated bullets from Ranier and Berry's and shoot them a lot, but I also shoot plenty of Zero bullets and they are mighty fine shooting bullets as far as the ones I have tried.

I just found out about X-treme plated bullets not long ago on this forum. I ordered 1000 225 Gr. .45 TrFP's from them and am looking forward to trying them.

 

[ATAShooter]

The only drawback to plated is that when you reach FPS faster than 1000, the plating comes off during flight. With what little the difference is in price to Winchester bulk, I now use the jacketed. I had loaded some 44 mag that chrono'd at 1015 that now I have little shards of copper jacket stuck in my chrono.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

I do not load hot loads, so for me the only problem I have ever had with plated (mostly Rainier) is that if you do not "bell" the case enough, it can fold up some of the plating. With FMJ, the belling is not as crucial (nor is it with straight lead--in MY experience--YMMV).

 

[Walkalong]

when you reach FPS faster than 1000, the plating comes off during flight.

I have shot Ranier 9mm 115 RN plated bullets at 1400 FPS plus through a chrono with no plating coming off and excellent accuracy from a CX4 Storm Carbine. I don't know where plated bullets fail at, and I suspect barrel smoothness, or the lack thereof, plays a part, but I have not had a problem with plated bullets in the 9MM and the .40 at between 1100 & 1300 FPS from pistols and up to 1400 FPS plus from carbines. Jacketed bullets are obviously tougher than plated, but I think the plated bullets get to much of a bad rap for imaginary loss of plating. I am not saying it does not happen at all, I just believe it gets blamed sometimes when it's other problems.

is that if you do not "bell" the case enough, it can fold up some of the plating.

I believe this is a lot of the problem. Also, if you roll crimp the plated bullets they will fail.(such as .44 Mag) A very light taper crimp to remove belling is all they can take. Reddings taper crimp dies in .38 & .44 work great for this. Adjust powders/charge to suit.

 

[armoredman]

The plated stuff I have used, Ranier in 9mm, and X-Treme in 38Spl, seem to work just fine. I had some loads over 1000FPS in the 9mm loads, (hard not to!), and no issues.
The 38 158gr RNFP X-tremes seem to work quite well over 3.3gr AA#2, a bunny fart load. I get quite good accuracy from them, and have grand fun, as well, in my old Smith Model 10-5.

 

[Shoney]

The only truly safe lead free bullet for use indoors is the TMJ (total metal jacket). The lands cut into the plated bullet, exposing lead. Hot gases escape past the exposed lead and vaporize it into the air, just as the hot gas vaporizes lead from the base of jacketed bullets with exposed lead.

You also must consider that target impact in non-TMJ bullets will atomize lead into the air

From the standpoint of lead release, it would be safer to shoot plated bullets in "polygonal" barrels. I have shot thousands of hard cast and plated lead in HK polygonal with no problems.

In addition, some primer compounds contain a very small amount of lead, which can be a problem if ventilation is poor.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

The X-treme Bullets have the cannelure and in 158 gr 38s go for $80/1000 with the cost of shipping included. I usually order one morning and know that UPS will be knocking the next afternoon.

I had not ordered from them in a year or so and got quite a surprise with the $28/1000 increase, but have not seen a more attractive alternative yet.

Some local shooters swear by Montana Gold. Anyone had experience with them and their product, shipping costs, etc?

 

[tlish]

I use plated bullets in anything I would use lead bullets in, not in polygonal rifled barrels.

why? i want to use plated in glock 19. should i avoid them?

 

[GaryL]

My .38/.357 158-gr SWC plated bullets from X-treme bullets are double-struck and have a very nice cannelure.

So do the 240gr RNFP 44mag bullets. I haven't loaded any up yet, but I expect to soon.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I use Berry's and X-treme plated bullets in my Glocks and Berettas almost exclusively. I've worked them up to near jacketed data maximum loads with no problems. Accuracy is good and I've never seen any plating come off. I've had zero problems with plated bullets except that their prices, like everything else, has gone up significantly.

Some people, including me, believe jacketed bullets may be slightly more accurate.

 

[miko]

In pistol shooting where the pressures and velocities are low compared to rifles, most of the lead contamination comes from the primer, not the bullet.

miko