copper plated bullets

[realmswalker]

I saw someone selling copper plated bullets and they said these bullets should be loaded according to loading data used for lead bullets?

Is this true?
and if so, why?

[Jonathan Doe]

Copper coated bullets have very thin coating, about .003" thickness, not like about .010" - .015" thickness of typical FMJ or JHP type bullets. You can load the copper coated bullets just like lead bullets.

[realmswalker]

What would be the negatives to loading them like they were jacketed bullets?

[tteng]

The plating might come off and barrel leading occurs. Usually 1700 fps, or less, for copper plated bullets. Some indoor ranges requires copper jacket or plated bullets to reduce lead dust.

[rabagley]

If you load a plated bullet with the load data for a jacketed bullet of the same weight, you're replacing a less dense (larger) bullet with a more dense (smaller) bullet. Since you're seating to the same depth, you're leaving more room in the case.

Expect lower pressure and lower velocity until you get close to the powder type/quantity specified for the lead bullet. Depending on other variables, you might also expect irregular performance since there will be a bigger void in the cartridge.