Question about bullets

[09cs]

I've been reloading 223 and 308 with success for a few months and want to start loading for 9mm and 45 ACP.

I picked up 100 (of each) from Midway. The 9mm says 115gr PLATED LRN Rainer and the 45 says the same except 230gr

I'm confused about the "plated". Does that mean they're lead free?

Also what powder/primers do you recommend for each? Thanks!

[stilly]

I've been reloading 223 and 308 with success for a few months and want to start loading for 9mm and 45 ACP.

I picked up 100 (of each) from Midway. The 9mm says 115gr PLATED LRN Rainer and the 45 says the same except 230gr

I'm confused about the "plated". Does that mean they're lead free?

Also what powder/primers do you recommend for each? Thanks!

Plated is like jacketed, but not as THICK or as TOUGH as jacketed.

Plated means that copper was migrated to the (lead) bullet in a PLATING fashion, like chrome plated parts...

A Jacketed (j-word) bullet (pill/ projectile/bullet) means that there was a piece of copper tubing and lead was melted or forced (swaged) into it.
There are exceptions, but that is the norm.

Jacketed bullets can be pushed to a very fast speed.
Plated bullets should not get pushed past 1500 FPS- TYPICALLY. But you can go a bit faster if you want.
You should also not crimp plated pills very hard since you will cut into the plating or make hourglass shaped pills...

You spent a lot of money on the Rainiers. I know you did because I bought some too and I never found them cheaper unless they were on sale.
And then the shipping killed the deal... But if folks are interested, a group buy where we get about 25k or more will give us great prices...

SO, for your next plated bullet purchase you might want to consider www.xtremebullets.com.
They have a very good reputation and a lot of people use them.

Since you are gonna be using them for PISTOL loads, plated pills are FINE to use. I use them in .45, 9, .380, .38/.357, .40, .44 mag,

Typical SPP/SRP/LPP can be used, just like normal loads... (SRP and SPP are interchangeable with minor adjustments if needed)

You can also check powerbond bullets for good pricing. But Xtreme seems to be the leader many times.

[09cs]

Thanks for the explanations! This is my first time loading for pistols.

So would any load data listed in my book for 115gr bullets will be fine to use?

[09cs]

So just to make sure,

the 9mm will use the SPP and the 45 ACP will use the LPP correct?

[Enfield47]

Use load data for lead bullets when using plated bullets.

.45 ACP can be small or large primer pockets. You will need to check each case to verify what you have. Typically Federal is always small primer but many others are using small primers too. You need to sort your cases by primer pocket sizes before you begin reloading them.

[09cs]

Use load data for lead bullets when using plated bullets.

.45 ACP can be small or large primer pockets. You will need to check each case to verify what you have. Typically Federal is always small primer but many others are using small primers too. You need to sort your cases by primer pocket sizes before you begin reloading them.

Thank you

And thanks for the heads up. I have just range brass so have to go through that. Just eye ball the difference size or is there an easier way to tell?

[Raralith]

Thank you

And thanks for the heads up. I have just range brass so have to go through that. Just eye ball the difference size or is there an easier way to tell?

Eyeball only but it's pretty easy to tell the difference. Make sure too otherwise you could be trying to ram LPP into a SPP pocket (or vice versa).

My best advice to you from someone that has rifle loading, but no handgun loading experience is that the amount of powder in a handgun round is significantly less than a rifle round. You basically cannot double throw a rifle powder charge as it you don't have the space in the brass, but a double throw can happen since you use like 4-8 grains of powder which comes no where near even the middle of the brass. If you aren't running a progressive press, take it slow.

[stilly]

Use load data for lead bullets when using plated bullets.

.45 ACP can be small or large primer pockets. You will need to check each case to verify what you have. Typically Federal is always small primer but many others are using small primers too. You need to sort your cases by primer pocket sizes before you begin reloading them.

+1

You are supposed to look for PLATED data, but if you do not find it (usually you won't) then look for LEAD data since plated pills mimic the lead surface...

[09cs]

Thank you guys!


For identifying the difference between the small/large rifle primer pockets for the 45 ACP, is it normally enough of a difference to tell just by looking at them?

[Eljay]

And if you really care about the velocity for whatever reason you'll need to chrono it. Plated is going to fly a little slower than lead at the same amount of powder.

re: the primer sizes on 45 - basically if you miss one you'll go to insert the primer and it'll stop instead of inserting. Your instinct might be to push harder but remove the case, look at the primer pocket (it'll be deprimed by now so the hole size is really obvious) and if it's a small primer pocket throw the brass into another container and if it's a large pocket you had some other problem like the brass just wasn't quite centered in the shell holder. After a bit you'll develop a bit of a light touch to start followed by a firmer press to really make sure the primer's seated all the way.

Perhaps somebody can pull up the exact number but the LPP's are a LOT bigger than the SPPs. You won't confuse them.

Don't try to put a large RIFLE primer in a large PISTOL hole. Same width, different height, power issues aside it won't end well.

[stilly]

Thank you guys!


For identifying the difference between the small/large rifle primer pockets for the 45 ACP, is it normally enough of a difference to tell just by looking at them?

Yeah, USUALLY I will group three-five together and look and I can tell the little ones, they will typically be about 1 little one to 5 large, but lately it has dropped to about 1:4 and ONE night, even 1:3...


If you want to be certain, have a primer pocket cleaner handy and have it set for large primers. Then if you have one you question, ask the primer pocket cleaner. It will tell you...

[09cs]

Yeah, USUALLY I will group three-five together and look and I can tell the little ones, they will typically be about 1 little one to 5 large, but lately it has dropped to about 1:4 and ONE night, even 1:3...


If you want to be certain, have a primer pocket cleaner handy and have it set for large primers. Then if you have one you question, ask the primer pocket cleaner. It will tell you...

Ah that's a great idea!

[09cs]

Don't try to put a large RIFLE primer in a large PISTOL hole. Same width, different height, power issues aside it won't end well.

Do not want that happening!!! I'm usually very careful when I'm loading and try my best to be!

[stilly]

I just made this tonight, and then I made the photo...

IT is the same photo side by side, but at a little different angle.

For what it is worth, Copper plating is NOT like an eggshell. It is still pretty tough, not like a jacket, but still pretty tough!

Extreme Bullets vs J-Words...

[gunboat]

It gets easier to see the difference between large and small primers after you have done it a bit -
put two cases in front of you - one of each, for quick eyeball reference -

LP are .210 and SP are .175 -- reasonably easy to see the difference.