whats the skinny on copper plated semi wadcutters?

[6pak]

I may have leaped before I looked and purchased a large box of 158 grain copper plated semi wadcutters this afternoon. What kind of experience does anyone have loading/ shooting this bullets? How do they compare to the lead version?

 

[rcmodel]

Mmmmmm?

Better then lead, due to no grease lube smoke, and no bore leading.
Worse then lead, due to generally higher cost.
Worse then jacketed because they can't be driven quite as hard at high pressure.

Load them with mid-level jacketed data, and Bee Happy you bought them!

Do Not use lead Starting Load data, because the copper has a higher coefficient of friction then lubed lead, and you could stick one in the barrel if you Go Real Low Down & Dirty.


rc

 

[kcofohio]

As rc said, plus lightly crimp them. Generally they are a soft lead core, with light plating of copper. Easily deformed when crimping. Roll crimping too heavy will cut through the plating.

 

[noylj]

You already have them, so tell us.
As for me, plated are less accurate then either well cast lead or jacketed. If I can't get groups less than 3" at 25 yards, I don't continue using those bullets.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I like the Rainier plated 158 flat points for mid-range loads, your SWCs should load the same. I use 6.5 grains of Unique or 4756 in .357 brass, probably around 900-950 fps. All they need is a light taper crimp at that speed. My revolver shoots them very accurately out to 50 yards, my carbine out to 100 yards.
Like RC said, don't try to load powder puff loads or magnum loads with them, but in the middle they do very well.

 

[Walkalong]

Using a load with the X-Treme 158 gr SWC in my 586 I can hit a 12" wide steel plate at 100 yards three to four times per cylinder. I have always attributed the misses to me.

 

[GLOOB]

For revolvers:

Many plated bullets do not have a crimp groove. Crimping can cut the plating.

Plating can break off at the forcing cone, spitting sharp bits of copper out the cylinder gap. Can cut people standing to your sides. Yes, this can draw blood!

 

[Walkalong]

Which is why I deburr and chamfer brass and use a light taper crimp on my target load with plated bullets.

A roll crimp can easily damage the plating if over done.