I tried search and came up with nothing, so... Anybody using coated bullets? I just loaded my last 200 230gr RN plated blems from RMR and I'm down to 100 158gr. SWC's so it's time to think about bullets.
I have no problems with hard cast for the revolvers but have run plated in my semi-auto's. The one time I tried hard cast for them neither 1911 I have liked 200gr. LSWC's. Could have been me as it was a first attempt but it kind of soured me for hard cast in semi-auto's. Didn't have many and bought the plated RN's with which I've had no problems. Have also only used plated for 9mm.
My thinking is a cheaper alternative to plated. Any advise?

I switched to Bayou Bullets a few years back and have been very satisfied. I have found them to be nearly identical to the prices paid for hard cast lead.

You may want to try some from your neighbors to the north, The Blue Bullets . I have not had the opportunity to give them a try, so I can't offer any first hand experience but you can do a search over on the Brian Enos forum and check out the reviews.

SNScasting.com
has coated bullets in stock

I have used Bear Creek Bullets. They are swagged lead and moly coated. I have only used RNFP shaped bullets : 200 gr for 45 ACP & LC, 117 gr. for 32-20, 255 gr. for 38-55 (over Trail Boss-grouped less than 1/2" @ 100 yards, this was a 20 shot group in a modern 1885 High Wall) and 300 gr in 45-90. Like most coated bullets, there is no leading and as the 38-55 load shows are very accurate. In the rifle they have a very wide variety of diameters. 45 ACP's have been better than my own cast handgun bullets. Ivan

Some auto's just won't shoot SWC shape bullets. Since you seem to shoot RN bullet styles, try 200/230 gr. RN cast bullets.

I'm fortunate that my Ruger SR1911 will shoot any style bullet that I feed it, but my particular gun prefers 200 and 230 grain bullets over the 185 gr. I use Falcon Bullet Company | Premium Hard Cast Lead Bullets cast bullets, but they recently added coated bullets as an option. I haven't tried them yet, but I will!

Almost nothing but coated in 9mm and 45 acp. I've used Bayou and Black Bullets Inter. All 45 have been 200 gr SWC and never an issue. The 9s have been 147 gr TC and 135 gr RN and same story, they run great. Never any leading relate issues. SNS has new coated which seem to get good review.

I bought 500 230 gr .45s from SNS Casting (mentioned above). They are lead bullets with a polymer coating ($52.50/500). I found the bullets easier to seat without any shaving. They shoot fine and cleanup seems easy.


I am a little leery of the scent of burnt plastic after firing (probably not too good for you).

I have tried both Bayou Bullets and SNS. Bayou bullets are my favorite. The leave my hands, the press, and the gun very clean. You get higher velocity with less pressure using coated bullets over plated bullets. Coated bullets work well in my Glocks and shooting mild wadcutter loads there still remain very clean.

In the future the only factory lead bullets I buy are the ones that not available as coated.

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I've used hard cast 200gr SWC bullets (H&G 68) in all my Colt 1911's since 1979.