Midway Rainier plated bullets vs. jacketed?

Lou_NC · Mar 19, 2010

Folks,

I'm an experienced reloader, but I am new to the concept of "plated" bullets. I'm wondering what load data to use with these bullets?

Are thuey basically hard cast lead with a copper "wash" coating that will perform essentially like cast bullets in the bore, or is the plating thicker, such that the bullets perform more like jacketed in the bore?

I'm also curious about leading. Again, if the "plating" is superficial, do these bullets potentially lead the bore similarly to cast bullets (depending on hardness and velocity along with other factors), or are they completley impervious to leading the bore, like jacketed bullets are?

Thanks,
Lou

Dragon88 · Mar 19, 2010

Some say to use cast bullet data, others jacketed. I personally use jacketed data with good success. While these bullets are soft, they are also usually .001" larger in diameter just like cast, and they generate about the same pressure and velocity in my guns as jacketed. The plating is very thin, so do not push them to max velocities. Nothing over 1100-1200. With moderate loads the plating will stay intact until the bullet exits and give zero leading. Oh, also, go light on the crimp to avoid damaging the plating.

Loaded right these make excellent and cheap plinking bullets.

TSQUARED · Mar 19, 2010

The Berry's and Rainier plated bullets have a fairly thin copper plating over a swaged soft lead core. I have not found them to be as accurate as either lead or jacketed bullets for bulleye psitol standrads. They are however very suitable for the action pistol games out to 25 yards. In terms of cost - one can purchase jacketed bullets (Zero, Montana Gold) for equal or lesser prices than the plated.
Frontier offers two types of plated bullets one over swages soft lead cores and the other over a hard cast core - I have not tried these bullets but they are popular with many action pistol shooters and are less expensive than jacketed.
In terms of velocity I keep my plated bullet loads to 900 fps or lower. At one time Rainier published data for their bullets. One caution with reloading plated bulets is to insure that during crimping you do not cut through the plating.
I am away for the winter and will return in May. Send me an e-mail in May and I'll send you the published Rainier data.

Skip Sackett · Mar 19, 2010

On Ranier's website they explicitly say to use lead data and keep the velocity less than magnum ones.

I have had good success with both Ranier and Berry plated bullets. I use lead data and don't drive them over 900fps.

Hope this helps.

1066 · Mar 19, 2010

I have not experienced a problem with leading with either the Ranier or the Berry plated bullets. Both shoot very clean, but I load to relatively low velocity.

Personally, I have had better luck with Berry bullets; I always use the "double struck" and they are just as accurate as lead in most of my guns.

The low velocity is the only downside, Berry says 1200fps and Ranier says no more then 1200-1250 fps. For high speed loads I generally use Hornady bullets.

I generally use the Hornady load date for a lead bullet of the same weight and have had excellent results.

Revolver-time · Mar 19, 2010

I use the Ranier bullets in just about everything I shoot. I keep my loads at or below 1000fps and have had zero problems and good accuracy results.

handgunner356 · Mar 19, 2010

I've used both the Rainiers and Berrys in 9, 38/357, 40, 44 and 45 with good results. I find them to usually be priced a little less than jacketed rounds. Almost always find they need a tenth or two more powder to match the same velocity as lead rounds. In .40 180gr lead I use 5.0grs Universal and need 5.2grs to match the same velocity with the plated bullets. The thing to watch on the crimp is that you don't cut through the plating causing it to peel when fired.

whelenshooter · Mar 19, 2010

Other people have asked the same question. You can go here to see lot of good information: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/127711-rainier-bullets.html

In a nutshell, what I know is that you should use jacketed bullet data that will give you velocities below 1,200 fps rather than lead bullet data. Though Rainier and Berry's plated bullets are softer than jacketed bullets, they have a higher coefficient of friction and you can stick a bullet in the barrel if you use lead bullet info that is too light. Do not overcrimp Rainier and Berry's plated bullets . They usually don't have a crimp groove and if you put too heavy of a roll crimp on them you may crack the plating and part may stick in your barrel. If you use a roll crimp die, just set it enough to remove the belling you did so you could seat the bullets. I purchased taper crimp dies from Redding for the revolver cartridges in which I use the plated bullets. For .45 Colt loads with plated bullets I use my taper crimp die for .45 ACP. Of course you have to back the die way off and adjust it accordingly, but it works well. I really like Rainier and Berry's plated bullets! I find them more than accurate enough for my purposes, much cheaper than jacketed bullets, and cleaner to both load and shoot than cast bullets. (With cast bullets you will often get a buildup of bullet lube in your dies that occasionally needs to be cleaned out.)

Have at 'em and have fun!

johngalt · Mar 19, 2010

I tried Rainier .45 230 gr round nose bullets back when I first started loading. I had both the rainier and regular FMJ.

I was having setback problems with the rainier, but the FMJ were fine. I never figured out why, but I suspect they were .451 (like jacketed) instead of .452 (like lead), and were thus slightly undersized.

After my problems I quit using them, I don't have such issues with regular lead and jacketed bullets.

Skip Sackett · Mar 19, 2010

Ranier on the left and Berry on the right. Taper crimp and no damage to the plating. Also, no bullet setback.

Hope this helps.

Midway Rainier plated bullets vs. jacketed?

Lou_NC

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Dragon88

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TSQUARED

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Skip Sackett

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1066

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Revolver-time

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handgunner356

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whelenshooter

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johngalt

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Skip Sackett

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