Confusion: Copper Plated Rifle Bullets?

[Blitzburgh]

I'm confused.

I have quite a few thousand X-Treme copper plated bullets, both for hand gun loads and also some for rifle loads. And now I'm reading and hearing all over the place that the copper plated bullets should be loaded to no more than 1200 fps otherwise the plating can separate or leave copper "smear" in the bore.

Now keeping the speed down in say a .45 ACP won't be an issue, but what about rifle loads? For example the Speer manual, for 150 grain bullets, the slowest velocity is 2500 fps. The slowest velocity in the Hornady manual is 2300 fps.

I wanted to load up some .308 loads with them this weekend, I have 2000 150gr plated bullets, but am very concerned now that I'm reading all of these warnings.

How in tarnation am I going to load these to under 1200 fps?

The two rifles I have to shoot these in are a PTR91 & an FAL. I doubt either will cycle if I load them to 1200fps or less.

What in the world are these copper plated rifle bullets good for?

On top of that I also have 1000 168 gr lead bullets for the .308. Oy.

[edgerly779]

Slingshot ammo. Why did you buy plated bullets for a rifle? Must have been cheap.

[ElvenSoul]

Contact the manufacturer. I believe some can handle it.

[BigBronco]

Looks like someone needs to buy a 30-30.

[rcschummers]

Confusion: Copper Plated Rifle Bullets?

I dont think the rifle projectiles are plated. BUT, my understanding is that the plated stuff can be loaded to lead specifications. Personally, for the pistol I have been following standard jacketed data for over 5 years with no problems whatsoever. If you are concerned about the projectiles and are local pm me, Im in auburn area.

Run at mid range jacketed data.

[zcktomcat]

Check with the manufacturer. It depends on how thick they plate the bullets. Some can go a bit faster. Berry's used to make ones that were rated for 2400 fps I believe.

[Enfield47]

Looks like someone needs to buy a 30-30.

Yep, I believe that what those plated bullets were intended for.

[stilly]

I'm confused.

I have quite a few thousand X-Treme copper plated bullets, both for hand gun loads and also some for rifle loads. And now I'm reading and hearing all over the place that the copper plated bullets should be loaded to no more than 1200 fps otherwise the plating can separate or leave copper "smear" in the bore.

Now keeping the speed down in say a .45 ACP won't be an issue, but what about rifle loads? For example the Speer manual, for 150 grain bullets, the slowest velocity is 2500 fps. The slowest velocity in the Hornady manual is 2300 fps.

I wanted to load up some .308 loads with them this weekend, I have 2000 150gr plated bullets, but am very concerned now that I'm reading all of these warnings.

How in tarnation am I going to load these to under 1200 fps?

The two rifles I have to shoot these in are a PTR91 & an FAL. I doubt either will cycle if I load them to 1200fps or less.

What in the world are these copper plated rifle bullets good for?

On top of that I also have 1000 168 gr lead bullets for the .308. Oy.

I BELIEVE those .308 are for 30-30 or 300 Whisper. They are really not meant to go past 2000 fps, but contact Xtreme to be certain.

As for speed, Xtreme bullets are so badass hardcore ThUg LiFe to the bone that you can push them past 1500 FPS with no issues... (usually)

[CSACANNONEER]

I have a couple thousand of those too. They are flat nosed bullets designed for tube fed 30-30s.

[Blitzburgh]

Looks like someone needs to buy a 30-30.

Yep, I believe that what those plated bullets were intended for.

I have a couple thousand of those too. They are flat nosed bullets designed for tube fed 30-30s.

Well... looks like I'll be shopping for a 30-30 this weekend!

[Blitzburgh]

Berry's used to make ones that were rated for 2400 fps I believe.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq-q10-c1-How_fast_can_I_shoot_these_bullets.aspx

From Berrys:

FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1250 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities over 1250fps unless the bullet description denotes a thick plated bullet with a higher listed maximum for velocity.

[chango17]

I think if you tried to load to 1200 fps you would get a huge pressure spike because of the very small amounts powder I cant remember the exact name for the situation but basically the powder does not cover the flashhole and when the primer is ignited more surface area of powder is exposed to the primers ignition causing more of the powder to ignite at the same time rather than burning evenly. Could cause major harm to you and/ or the rifle.

[ElDub1950]

http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq-q10-c1-...e_bullets.aspx

From Berrys:

FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1250 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities over 1250fps unless the bullet description denotes a thick plated bullet with a higher listed maximum for velocity.

I sort of thought that FAQ was for their handgun caliber bullets ... they're not clear on that. Their other FAQ just says don't exceed the mid-point for FMJ rounds. Tagged to watch for clarification.

[CGT80]

It is easy to make a bullet go slow in a 30 cal rifle. My pet load for 30-30 and 30-06 is a lead boolit at about 1300 fps. You are right about working a semi auto on such a light load. You could probably shoot them and cycle the bolt by hand. I use a lever action and bolt action so it is no problem.

Powders for light loads will be: Trail Boss, Red Dot, Herco, and probably unique or 2400. 4895 can be reduce with youth loads, but it would still be a faster load than the powders above and will use a lot more of an expensive powder.

13.0 grains of red dot in a 30 cal rifle, such as a 30-06 is called "the load." I have used it with jacketed bullets with no problem. You can search for the load. Castboolits forum will have a lot of data on lighter loads, especially with the lead bullets.

The lead bullets can be pushed to well over 2,000 fps if they have gas checks, good lube, and are the right size. Lead bullets don't have to be pushed as fast as jacketed to be accurate. My 1300 fps load is without a gas check.....plain base boolit. I was running a 159 lrn pb at 1116 fps from the 30-30 over 6.0 grains of red dot and could pretty easily hit a 14" plate at 160 yards. Light loads with lead or plated bullets are not bad to use. It just doesn't go so well with semi autos, but it has been done when people don't care about manually moving the bolt.

[Blitzburgh]

There has been some really good, and really interesting information posted in this thread and I very much appreciate it guys! I've learned a lot

But after thinking about it all day I just might sell the bullets and move on. I have tons of jacketed .308 bullets in all weights and types and I'm wondering if all the fiddling around with powder and charges, etc., etc., is worth it for a few thousand bullets.

I just might put them up for sale and call it a day. I also have quite a few lead and plated bullets for handgun calibers but those don't concern me, I've already loaded quite a few of them and I'm surely not pushing my .45ACP to more than 1200fps

I use them mostly for light loads to plink with, nothing serious.

I think in the future, I'll just stick with my favorite Hornady 3037B 150gr FMJBT that can be had pretty cheaply in bulk. Like I said, no sense in putting a ton of effort into bullets & loads that I won't be loading again.

I do however very much appreciate the good info that's been posted here, lot's to think about and chew on. CGN Always comes through!

Thanks!!