Plated bullets?

[MW surveyor]

So far I've been able to find out that plated bullets fall between cast and FMJ. They are about twice the cost of good hard cast and maybe 1/2 the cost of most premium FMJ or JHP.

Since I'm reloading to save a bit of money (read shoot more). I'm trying to see the advantage of paying basically double for the same round. If I was going to load to magnum pressures and velocities, I could see getting the FMJ or semi-jacketed soft points for my 357, but not paying double for the plated and then having to shoot a reduced load.

Other than the elimination of leading what other advantage to they serve? (I have virtually no leading in any of my pistols shooting the hard cast after finding the "sweet recipe")

[Bawanna]

Many ranges around us no longer allow exposed lead except in 22. Where are you shopping for these?
I got Rainiers from Midway and have now at Tilo's recommendation switched to FMJ from Precision Delta. I'm talking 230 gr 45's.
Very good bullets, about a 100 per 1000. I ordered 2000.
I'd heard stories of long long waits but got mine in about a week.
I used to shoot alot of lead but I don't mess with it anymore. I have to find some good 45 Colt bullets now. I bought a 1000 or so lead for it and now the indoor ranges won't let me shoot em. I'll find another outdoor spot one of these day so they won't go to waste.

[MW surveyor]

There were some Berry's in the Cabela's that I stopped at on the way to work in LA. The in store price was the same as the online price. In 9 mm 125 gr works out to about 0.10 cents per round, so finished round is near 0.15 cents. 38/357 is 0.12 cents per round in 158 grain with a finished cost of near 0.17 cents.

So far the outdoor range I go to have not placed any ban on lead but I'm not too sure about the indoor ranges around here. Never go to them but the way the weather has been lately, if I want to shoot, I'm gonna have to go indoors. One good thing though, I've got a number of rounds of factory FMJ that I stopped shooting when I started reloading.

[Bawanna]

http://www.precisiondelta.com/detail...ku=B-9-115-FMJ

They show 115 gr 9mm FMJ for 74$ per 1000. I didn't see it now when I looked but I think theres free shipping when you order a certain amount. Not certain on that.
I know in 45 they were just as cheap or cheaper that the Rainier Plated I'd been using.
I was using the plated HP's thinking in a pinch I could use them for defense but realized I was probably over thinking that aspect so switched to FMJ ball for practice.

[mad1ben2]

Don't mean to post off-topic here, but we're not supposed to shoot lead in polygonal barrels like in the kahrs (non-CW/CM series)... I presume the Berry's plated bullets are fine, right? They are considered like a FMJ from that perspective I think...

[Bawanna]

Don't mean to post off-topic here, but we're not supposed to shoot lead in polygonal barrels like in the kahrs (non-CW/CM series)... I presume the Berry's plated bullets are fine, right? They are considered like a FMJ from that perspective I think...

Your right on topic and your correct. Lead not recommended in polygonal barrels. Many do it anyhow but I don't.
I've tried to find where I read some in depth info about that without success but I recall it wasn't a leading issue but a pressure issue.
Could work fine 1000 times and blow on the 1001. Maybe so, may not so but I don't use much lead anyhow.
Plated bullets are just fine. No exposed lead. Just like a JMJ.

[jfrey]

As I recall Bawanna, the issue arises when you shoot a lot of lead in a Glock barrel and the buildup gets to a point to where it over pressures the barrel by restricting the bore diameter as the bullet tries to pass through it.
What I never understood is what is it about the polygonal rifling that causes this to happen. Why does it tend to catch more lead than conventional rifling?

[Bawanna]

I wondered that very same thing. I know it was a pressure deal, a tighter seal, I thought that it really didn't matter about the build up but it's been awhile. Been trying to find that report whatever it was.
It was a Glock I'm pretty sure they were focused on.

[MW surveyor]

OK guys, I'm shooting a CW9 that has regular lands and grooves. So I don't have to worry about the polygonal rifeling. From what I've heard/read is that the plated will work in polygonal barelled guns so you should be OK. Then again, I've also read in other forums that Glock shooters have been using lead bullets. You've just got to make sure you clean your gun. Remember GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND!

Mr. B - That $74 per 1000 looks good with free shipping. I'll go to the web site and check out the other offerings. 1.4 cents more per round is a great price.

Looked at their other items. 7.7 cents for the 125 gr FMJ 9 mm is very good. May just have to give them a call and order up a few 1000 of 9 and some 38/357s.

Thanks

[100percent]

7-8 cents a round is a good price. I have lots of berrys loaded. Hard precast lead is about 5-6 cents. I hope to cast my own and make them for 1.5-3 cents. Have about 200 pounds of shot bullets and other lead alloys. I have found that when you melt down plated bullets you have to crack the nut before you can get the contents out.

[mad1ben2]

Thanks

Plated bullets are just fine. No exposed lead. Just like a JMJ.

just wanted to be sure...

[BuckeyeBlast]

Are you guys reloading at the same powder levels as FMJ's? I drop down about 5% for plated loads vs FMJ.

[Rubb]

Are you guys reloading at the same powder levels as FMJ's? I drop down about 5% for plated loads vs FMJ.

For 124gr. plated I use 125gr lead data.

[jlottmc]

Why would you alter between lead and plate or for FMJ for that matter?

[Bawanna]

I run the same for plated or FMJ but I reduce alot for lead. Gotta slow that lead down to keep the leading down.
I usually don't shoot lead anymore in my autos and most of the ranges around us no longer allow exposed lead anyhow so my revolvers get mostly jacketed bullets not too.
When I did shoot lead I usually shot a few jacketed bullets at the end to help with the clean up at home.