There doesn't seem to be much (if any) information out there on plated lead bullets. I've done some research on the web and I've seen some "experts" saying to use data for lead bullets, others claiming you should use data for FMJ's.

Does anyone here have any thoughts/experience on the issue? My understanding is that lead (being softer) provides less friction than plated, so it follows that the charge for plated bullets would be slightly higher than for lead - right? Or am I way off base?

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Too many S&W's to mention...

This is from RANIER's website:

Load Data
Rainier recommends using commercially published jacketed bullet load data when loading our bullets. There is no need for adjustment when using jacketed bullet load data. Our bullets are jacketed using an electroplating process and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets. Be sure to use only load data that is published in a reputable reloading manual.

We recommend a starting powder charge directly between the listed minimum and maximum load.

A slight roll or taper crimp may be used with our bullets. Over-crimping plated bullets may result in decreased accuracy, and fragmentation of copper plating.

Obviously what Colt says since that is from Rainier but also the Lee reloading manual. It has many listings for plated bullets in different calibers.

Thanks for the replies. The problem I'm having is that I have .38 Special 158gr plated FP's, and all the reload data I can find at that weight is for some sort of LWC or LSWC... nothjing for FMJ at this weight.

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Too many S&W's to mention...

Open whatever loading manual you own to the 38 Special page and use the loads for 158 Jacketed anything.

JSP, JHP, FMJ are all the basically same load

He may have a Speer manual. They don't do 158 gr FMJ for 38 SPL or plus P. Lead only at that weight.
Other Manuals do show such loads. Speer is concerned about sticking a jacketed round round in the bore.
Accurate powder data shows quite a few loads for plated bullets. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of their A#5 or #2 in a long time.
You do need to heed the advice about using mid level loads. Plated bullets can stick at starting loads. And, they are very hard to unstick, compared to soft lead. Especially for wad cutters. First hand knowledge on that one.

Best,
Rick

riverrat38,
Having never needed to load any jacketed 38s, I never noticed that.

Until the OP chimes back in, we will only be guessing at what manuals he currently owns and what powders he has on hand.

I keep the older versions of my reloading manuals at the house (I still love reading them) and all the most current versions in my loading room over at the office. So I did not have too much to work with this morning.

However, here are the 158 Jacketed pages from Hornady, Nosler, Lyman and Lee. I did not bother with the Speer manual.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and advice, I sincerely appreciate it. I'm still fairly new to the reloading game and still learning, and you guys are a huge help.

I have manuals from Lee, Hornady and Lyman, but I guess I'm not comfortable yet knowing what I can substitute and what I can't. For instance, I assume the Hornady XTP's are FMJ? I don't know for sure.

I get that a lot of guys like LSWC's but I have a .45 LC that I load with Laser Cast rounds and I still have to deal with lead in the bore. For a new .38 Special I wanted to stick with something plated.

Powders I have on hand are Power Pistol, Bullseye, 700X, 800X, 4227, and SR4756. I foolishly sold 6 pounds of Trail Boss that I had about 6 months ago.

Thanks again guys.

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Too many S&W's to mention...

Yes, the XTP's and Gold Dots are FMJ. If you were loading to maximum loads, the difference between the various jacketed and plated bullets would make a difference, but that is why they tell you to stay in midrange.
I have to use plated or jacketed bullets due to range rules. They are concerned about lead in the air and filters.

Best,
Rick

At least with the 44's I am familiar with, you can consider the Gold Dot a plated bullet because it is.
They are quite soft as well.
I do load the Rainier in 44 and it works quite well with a load running 750 -850 fps I also use with cast bullets.
I have found you can run plated bullets too fast in magnum loads.
Not quite sure of the mechanism, but they start to tumble and fragment in certain guns above about 1200 fps.
In this, they act more like cast than jacketed.
Best accuracy is with those mid range loads everyone speaks of.

Best regards,
Nemo

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XTPs are a JHP.
IME with various handguns, plated bullets give the same speed as jacketed. These tests seem to agree. How Fast is your Bullet? And there is more plated data these days. Hodgdon has some plated data on their website, so does Accurate Arms, not sure about .38 spl though.
I like SR4756 a lot in .357 with plated bullets. I load to .38 velocities using starting data for jacketed bullets of the same weight. Bullseye and PP should work well too.
I use a lot of Rainier 158 flat points in my revolver and carbine, very good bullets.

Last summer I really fell in love with plated bullets for their low price, and easy cleaning. I too had trouble finding data so I went with hotter loads for lead bullets and in my .44 settled on 8 grains of HP-38 with a 240 grain plated Berrys. With what I consider a mild crimp, I get great accuracy, and a VERY clean gun afterwards. It's the perfect target load. I haven't Chrono's it yet but I estimate it to be pushing 950 to 1000 fps at the muzzle. Hopefully this helps with your decision on where to start.

I have a theory (more of an assertion) that all bullets tend to be most accurate at the point where they are just being "bumped" up to throat dimensions.
Especially when being fired in revolvers with greater than "standard" diameter throats and bores.
With the plated bullets (and many cast) this seems to be around 800 fps +/- 100 fps.
With jacketed it may be right in the top range of pressure.
An example is this .4295 bullet being fired in a .433 revolver:

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Nemo

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I believe that you may want to reconsider that assertion. Bullets and barrels can do really peculiar things at times and it's been my experience that the "sweet spot" seems to be more related to velocity and bullet weight than any other factor.