FMJ vs Plated bullets - ????????????

[vortec_cruiser]

I've always used FMJ when reloading jacketed bullets, but would like to hear others opinions about FMJ and plated bullets. I know that you can't send a plated bullet too fast down a barrel, or it will begin to disintegrate like a lead bullet. But I am particularly interested in using plated bullets at slower handgun velocities.

[john16443]

I use Berry's plated bullets in 9mm and 45ACP with no problems or issues. Yes, you should stay below 1200 fps or so, but that isn't normally a problem in these calibers. Heed their advice about loading to low jacketed information.

Let me ask you why you're thinking about plated? The cost of plated is about the same or only slightly lower than jacketed. Precision Delta is about the lowest cost jacketed option out there in 9mm and is cheaper than plated.

Coated bullets from Precision Bullets are less than either of these options. Of course, lead would be the cheapest option of all.

[vortec_cruiser]

Let me ask you why you're thinking about plated?

I was curious because I have a chance to pick up some plated bullets at a good price. Thanks for the information.

[XDRoX]

I shoot Berry's exclusively in most my calibers. I know I can get PD jacketed for less money, but I really like Berry's and like supporting them.

The only down side is it's hard to find data for plated and the price of them.

[john16443]

Is your source of plated bullets available to others for purchase? If so, please share. I've been able to get Berry's 115 and 124 RN 9mm for less at the Crossroads gun shows, but they don't carry many other calibers and have limited styles.

[Trickpony]

There are some plated bullets that are absolutely horrible for accuracy and tumbling issues. The tumbling usually takes place near or over 1000fps. Just make sure they're a good quality plated bullet. The only plated bullet I would shoot are from X-Treme Bullets in Nevada, they're a great bullet. Keep in mind that a good plated bullet will be near as much as a jacketed bullet. And plated is better than lead.

[Briancnelson]

Berry's makes a nice bullet for loading plinking/paper rounds. I have had no problems with them and shoot them in the 1000-1100 fps range with my load.

Keep them at the low end of jacketed, midrange lead load range and you'll be fine.

Turner's in Torrance has a decent selection of Berry's. That's where I get my .40 bullets in 180 gr.

[Bill Steele]

Personally, I have stopped loading plated as I ran into some consistency problems a while back. For target shooting, I load almost exclusively lead nowadays. When shooting indoors, I try to keep my focus on the front sight and not on the poor people next to me that have to inhale all that smoke...

When I do load something other than lead, it is usually either Hornaday XTP (soon to become Gold Dots) or Precision Delta/Montana Gold jacketed.

[vortec_cruiser]

Is your source of plated bullets available to others for purchase? If so, please share.

Sorry, but this is a limited quantity from a friend.

[vortec_cruiser]

There are some plated bullets that are absolutely horrible for accuracy and tumbling issues.

This is a concern that I had. Maybe I'll just stick with jacketed bullets.

[Steelplate45]

I stopped reloading lead years ago

because my annual blood test showed elevated lead levels. I now use copper only, and wear nytril gloves when on the reloading bench.

I will say it has been difficult to find a reliable, accurate plated pullet. Berry's has been the best so far.

For jacketed, Hornady XTP has been amazingly accurate in my 1911's.

[BlackViper]

I use X-treme plated bullets and have excellent accuracy results - as good or better than any commercial ammo (.45 & 9mm out of my Glocks). They are incredibly consistent and great quality as well.

I always wear Nitrile gloves while reloading regardless.

[morrow]

You can get FMJ cheaper usually so that's what I use.
I use Berry's Plated from Powder Valley for 30 carbine as it's the cheapest I can find (next to lead)

[ireload]

All of my plinking and paper punching handgun bullets (9mm, 38spl, 357mag, & 45) are plated. I use to use Rainers but for quite some time now I've been using Berrys. I've actually able to send 9mm and 357mag plated faster that what the manufacturer recomended and never experienced any problem. Accuracy out of my guns are quite good. The only time I use jacketed are for my SHTF ammo. Pricewise is a hair below jacketed. Unfortunately prices on plated has gone up a bit.

[Triple R Munitions]

when i run my automated loaders i run mostly x-treme projos. they are great and have never had a problem with them. every now and then you get a deformed projectile (im talking in 1 in 30,000 projos).

plated is great...but you can get PD (precision Delta) for damn near the same price as plated and sometimes i will order from them and run their jacketed projos. only good things i have to say about them. montana gold is also great. a little more costly but they make a darn nice projo.

as for accuracy goes the jacketed does better then the plated....but for scaring paper i dont see the reason to shoot $$$ projos... But to each his own

my .02
RRR