Getting ready to place an order for reloading supplies and wondered what folks think about the choice between plated and jacketed bullets. The price of jacketed is 70% higher than plated. Seems like a lot, if there is no significant difference.

Thoughts.....

Depends on what you want them for. Plated usually have a recommended top velocity of around 1200fps as the plating can crack and fragment at higher velocities. Some may think jacketed accuracy is better than plated. I have only shot plated and some cast lead and have had no issues with them. Plated cost is lower, but I think you can find jacketed much closer in price than 70% from online sellers.

First off I will admit that I'm a bit biased because I reload a lot of plated bullets.

For punching holes in paper and general plinking, in my opinion plated is the best of both worlds. They are generally even cleaner to shoot than jacketed because they have a fully encapsulated lead core. Most jacketed bullets still have an exposed lead base.

I have shot factory FMJ ammo back to back with my plated reloads and I cannot perceive a difference in accuracy or function.

The one area where I would NOT use a plated bullet is for self defense. Other than that, my vote is buy the plated bullets. Xtremebullets has 15% off right now too.

Unless your dealing with ultra high velocities the plated should be good for a pistol round. The high velocity bullets strip the plating off the bullet and may lead up your barrel. Nothing wrong with using plated for their intended purpose. I would never use them for any of my high powered rifles, but do with most of my handgun reloads.

I shoot nothing but plated in my pistols. I used to use lead but I made the switch to plated. Unless you're using high velocity loads plated work just fine. And really cuts my costs down.

Ike

Those that will give up liberty for security deserve neither and will lose both.

YouTube: http://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3kyD-.../videos?view=1

ditto to the plated. love them. Extreme and Rocky Mountain Reloading make some fine bullets.

+1 on the rocky mountain bullets. I'm about to place an order for 5,000



Ike

Those that will give up liberty for security deserve neither and will lose both.

YouTube: http://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3kyD-.../videos?view=1

That's who I was looking at ordering from. I was comparing the bullet costs between RMR and Everglades.

I reload for target, plinking and some club level competitions. Have been shooting reloads from LAX that are plated 180 gr and was hoping to find some 155-165 gr bullets to load and to keep the MV at or below 900 FPS. While the 180s aren't heavy in the felt recoil, I am trying to lower the felt recoil as much as I can. I really don't care about power factors as long as the load is reasonably accurate and reliable.

Thanks

I've tried most of the plated companies and have settled with ordering all mine from RMR, they are very consistent and they almost always have stock (I've never been not able to get bullets)

__________________
Minimize the variables

All I use are plated. John has taken care of me for years.

TJCONEVERA.COM

I work for Jake at Rocky Mountain Reloading. We strive to provide high quality bullets at low prices with excellent customer service. Thank you for all the kind feedback!

What do you use fmj for? I'm seeing if it's personal defense, or anti-personnel, use jacketed hollow point. If it's plinking or target practice, use cheap accurate stuff. I'd take plated over jacketed at a 70% price drop if it loads shoots and ejects well, and if it's accurate.

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

Just bought 500 plated 9mm 124 grain flat points from X-Treme for $39 delivered to my door. Magtech 124 FMJRN runs $14/100 plus shipping. That's $70/500 plus $10. So, in my experience, plated costs half the price of jacketed.

But they are limited as others have said.

(1) Keep them subsonic or they can break up in flight. Perfect for paper.

(2) Not recommended for self defense (although they probably would stop the threat if applied judiciously).

Never understood introducing copper unnecessarily into a bore. If there are leading issues with plain bullets, either you have the wrong size for the barrel, or an alloy too hard for the pressure. Best explanation for leading ever is the LASC website, as it explains and debunks the myths that lead bullets will always lead your bore.

I would reload lead SWC or RN in my 40, if I could find such bullets. I use 200 gr SWC lead bullets in my 45 all the time. The most arcuate load I have for the 45.

Cleaning has never been a problem. I have the time and love to handle my toys when I can't be shooting them.

The issue with lead for me is a matter of "cleanliness", as in clean air. The indoor range I shoot at most often strongly enourages the use of plated bullet over any other type because they reduce the costs for filtration. BTW, they spend 10K PER MONTH on HEPA filters, so any savings is a real plus. In addition I just don't want to be breathing those lead and lubrication vapors.

As for plated bullets and velocity, one brand I've used a lot is Rainier and they "rate" their bullets up to 1200 fps. Personally I've run some of their 40 caliber bullets to 1050 fps without issues but I don't think I'd push them any harder.

I've also broken down some of the commercial ammo's that we use for range fodder and was a bit surprised to find that WWB, American Eagle, and Federal Champion in the 40 and 45 ACP all feature plated bullets. If you read the Speer #14 you'll also find that ALL of Speer's bullets have the jacket applied by plating, even the Gold Dots. Plating provides a bond at the molecular level that is a lot "stronger" than any bond established by casting into a pre-formed jacket.


Point is that where plating in concerned it's a matter of how thickly that plating is built up. Basically, the devil is in the details.

As for accuracy, I have not been able to see any difference between the 2 types of bullets. However I don't do my testing using a handgun vice, I hold the gun in my bare hands and do my best.

Most companies double plate their copper bullets allowing you to push the velocities. I know most say 1200fps and I have pushed that envelope with both Extreme and RMR with no issues in my M&P40/9FS. I used ti use Berrys and the damn things used to wrinkle up on me when seating. Never again.
BTW, RMR bullets are produced by Powerbond Bullets.