plated bullets
- Thread starter wobbly34b
- Start date
Luckyducker
Single-Sixer
That depends on the gun. I have loaded plated bullets pretty stout, not full power magnum stout, and they have shot well.
Clovishound
Blackhawk
Most manufacturers say up to 1200 fps. Many have heavier plate good to 1500 fps.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Most manufacturers recommend loading them to lead bullet velocity. What that means exactly is up to you. I load and shoot a lot of them in revolvers and rifles. For hot loads I use jacketed bullets.
woodperson
Blackhawk
Look at the Berrys Bullets website. some of the listed max velocities are pretty high.
Re-reading you question, my answer is, in general, no. Maybe in a few instances. I load plated bullets so that I can load at low velocities.
Re-reading you question, my answer is, in general, no. Maybe in a few instances. I load plated bullets so that I can load at low velocities.
Jimbo357mag said:
I've used a lot of Berry's Bullets for .357 magnum loads. I use lead bullet load data for them, and they work well. I've never tried pushing them past that, but I suspect there is a bit of wiggle room built into them.
I've only used about 1,200 plated bullets in my 45 ACP, 9mm and 38 Specials. I used lead data for all loads and most worked like they are supposed to. I don't use them much anymore 'cuz my cast bullets don't lead, are accurate, and work quite well in all my handguns. If I "need" higher velocity, dedicated self defense bullets, I'll use jacketed.
I normally don't recommend plated bullets to new reloaders because data isn't as easy to find as other bullets and we see a lot of questions like this (plus "how do I crimp?" and how do I find loads?")...
For first time reloaders and those reloading a new to them cartridge, I usually suggest a jacketed bullet with a tried and true load right outta their reloading manual(s). Get that down then try other stuff...
I normally don't recommend plated bullets to new reloaders because data isn't as easy to find as other bullets and we see a lot of questions like this (plus "how do I crimp?" and how do I find loads?")...
For first time reloaders and those reloading a new to them cartridge, I usually suggest a jacketed bullet with a tried and true load right outta their reloading manual(s). Get that down then try other stuff...
Clovishound
Blackhawk
I believe the plated bullet manufacturers recommend upper lead to mid jacketed data. Velocities are given as a max, usually 1200 and 1500 depending on the type plating.
One data issue I have with plated is that there is a lot of variation in the comparison of lead and jacketed data with different bullet weights and powders. What one would expect is lead data is lower than jacketed, with perhaps a bit of overlap, given the same bullet weight. Unfortunately, some powders don't cooperate on this. Some powders have a large gap between max lead, and start jacketed. I am leery of loading past max lead in those. Other powders have lead max higher than jacketed max. Go figure.
I have had poor results loading to max lead where there is a big gap between lead and jacketed data. Best results have been when there is an overlap, and I load to max, or near max lead levels.
For a new reloader, the data conundrum can be very confusing. Heck it's probably confusing for some of the old heads as well. I have switched from plated to coated. I still like the Xtreme 158 grain hollowpoint for .357 magnum in my rifle. I get nearly identical results with coated lead SWCs now, for less money. I still like the look of the plated HPs.
One data issue I have with plated is that there is a lot of variation in the comparison of lead and jacketed data with different bullet weights and powders. What one would expect is lead data is lower than jacketed, with perhaps a bit of overlap, given the same bullet weight. Unfortunately, some powders don't cooperate on this. Some powders have a large gap between max lead, and start jacketed. I am leery of loading past max lead in those. Other powders have lead max higher than jacketed max. Go figure.
I have had poor results loading to max lead where there is a big gap between lead and jacketed data. Best results have been when there is an overlap, and I load to max, or near max lead levels.
For a new reloader, the data conundrum can be very confusing. Heck it's probably confusing for some of the old heads as well. I have switched from plated to coated. I still like the Xtreme 158 grain hollowpoint for .357 magnum in my rifle. I get nearly identical results with coated lead SWCs now, for less money. I still like the look of the plated HPs.
woodsy
Buckeye
What everyone else has said so far, 'tis the truth.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
The object of course is to not over-stress the plating on the bullet or the bullet itself. Magnum velocities can over-stress the plating and bullet while 38 special and 45 colt might not. I shoot a plated bullet in my 30-30 and they recommend not faster than 1950fps. The 30 carbine is recommended for not more than 1750fps. The 357 and 44 magnum 1250fps.
Thanks for all the info. What you have told me is kind of what I was thinking.
Have been loading some coated bullets from MBC in my 32 H and R. They recommend 800-900 fps.
Been thinking of trying some plated ones in my 327 mag.
Thanks again.
Bob
Have been loading some coated bullets from MBC in my 32 H and R. They recommend 800-900 fps.
Been thinking of trying some plated ones in my 327 mag.
Thanks again.
Bob
