Copper plated bullets

[bucktooth7]

I reload and shoot alot of copper plated bullets. They are cheap and readily available. I use a Lee loading manual and it does not offer alot of varitey of loads for these bullets. I have visited the Acurate Load Data and Hodgdon reloading data web sites and they have no data for copper plated bullets. Is it safe to use the data for lead bullets? I reload 9mm, 38spec, 357, and 45acp.

[reloader714]

Yes it is safe. Others will chime in with more info!

[Chief-7700]

Ranier TMJ Bullet loading data.

[Cowboy T]

Yep, it's safe, and the reason is that jacketed bullets are slightly harder to push down the barrel than cast bullets are. Therefore, your pressure will be a little less with cast bullets.

It's also generally pretty safe to use minimum cast bullet loads with jacketed bullets, but when you start getting hotter, then no. For example, I would never use a max load from cast bullet data with a jacketed bullet.

[Chief-7700]

A bit confused by your answer?
All the load data that I have read and researched suggest to load TMJ bullet at the lead level powder charges. While FMJ/jacketed bullets can be loaded at a higher powder charge.

[bucktooth7]

Me Too? Their is a differance between plated and jacketed.

[Brasspolisher]

From Berry's FAQ (a plated bullet I've used a lot of in all the calibers you mention, and highly recommend): http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq-q9-c1-H...d_Bullets.aspx

"Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. "

For target loads using Accurate powder, I've had really good results with their published starting data for jacketed bullets of the same weight and profile as Berry's (and other) plated bullets.

[XDRoX]

Yep, it's safe, and the reason is that jacketed bullets are slightly harder to push down the barrel than cast bullets are. Therefore, your pressure will be a little less with cast bullets.

I don't agree. Given two bullets of the same weight, one jacketed and one lead, you can load more powder behind the jacketed bullet. The lead bullet creates more pressure, not less. Therefore less powder is required to get the same velocity. This is why all manuals say to use less powder with lead bullets.

To the OP, I shoot plated bullets almost exclusively in 9mm and 45. The data for plated bullets falls somewhere in between jacketed and lead. People say to use lead data for plated bullets because that will always be a safe starting point, being that lead takes less powder. The way Berry's and Rainier are making their plated bullets nowadays is much different than a few years ago. You can practically use jacketed data with them safely. They will yield slightly higher velocities than jacketed do to more pressure. My advice is to just back off the load data 5-10%.

It's also generally pretty safe to use minimum cast bullet loads with jacketed bullets, but when you start getting hotter, then no. For example, I would never use a max load from cast bullet data with a jacketed bullet.

Again I don't agree. I think you have this backwards. A max load for Unique in 357mag with 158gr lead bullet is 6.0gr. Starting data for a jacketed 158gr bullet is 6.9gr.

[mif_slim]

actually a 180gr jacketed has a max load of 4.8th of #2 which peaks at 33,400 psi which is more then lead ad 185gr max load at 5.1gr of #2 pushing 33,000psi.

jacketed is .4gr lighter ad has more pressure then lead which is heavier bullet but also uses more powder.

[bucktooth7]

Why do powder manufacturers not list load data for copper plated? Reloading is a process that is quite specific. We all follow the rules to the letter, and NEVER EXEED means just that. Accurate lists 60 different types and shapes of bullets, no mention of copper plated. The Lee reloading manual has some info, many reloaders talk bad about Lee, but at least he covers the subject. What other reloading manuals broach this subject?

[Fishslayer]

"Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. "

This would be consistent with my results with 230gr Berry's LRN in .45ACP. The groups start to spread noticably at about 4.8gr of Bullseye.

I've been trying out some X-treme plated 158gr SWC with...umm.. a "healthy" charge of 2400 in .357 Magnum. Alliant lists the load for LSWC and so far seems to work OK but makes me just a bit nervous..