coated bullets Vs jacketed bullets

[JBnTx]

Here is an article that compared the different types of bullet construction vs. velocity.

(The original url for it doesn't work anymore.)

.

Thank you for that information.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I have a question about the statement that on "some" plated bullets "the plating is more like a coating". I've seen that statement in several threads.

What brands of plated bullets have such a thin coating of copper? I've used Berry's and Xtreme in several calibers and have pulled and damaged and examined a few of them. None of them had copper layers so thin that they could be accurately described as a copper "coating". None of them even cracked - even the ones with a very pronounced roll crimp.

The only bullets I have seen that fit that description are not sold as copper plated, but rather they are sold as copper-washed, and they were all factory ammunition in .22 or .17 calibers.

So who plates their bullets with such a thin layer of copper? I ask because I want to be sure and avoid those brands.

Years ago, got to be 10+, I bought some 158 gr plated SWC and they looked just like LSWC, including being lubed, but they were copper washed like 22s. I don't recall how they were be advertised/marketed but I loaded and shot them just like lead.

These are the only ones I've seen that fit into that catagory.

 

[BC38]

Years ago, got to be 10+, I bought some 158 gr plated SWC and they looked just like LSWC, including being lubed, but they were copper washed like 22s. I don't recall how they were be advertised/marketed but I loaded and shot them just like lead.

These are the only ones I've seen that fit into that catagory.

Thanks for the reply. I wonder if there are any bullet manufacturers still doing this. It is starting to sound like this is something from the past - not really applicable to true plated bullets that you can buy these days. I just don't want to buy some from some company and then find that they really aren't true plated bullets, but that they are actually copper-washed (which sounds like what has actually been described).

 

[Peak53]

BLUEDOT37 - Thanks for the informative article. I found it interesting that the Bayou Bullets Hi-Tek coated bullets clocked a tad lower than cast. I would have expected - from reading the Internet, not using a chronograph - the opposite. This proves that conjecture does not equal thorough testing as the article's conclusions found. I just wish they would have included my personal choice of Missouri Bullet Co. coated lead.

 

[JBnTx]

BLUEDOT37 - Thanks for the informative article. I found it interesting that the Bayou Bullets Hi-Tek coated bullets clocked a tad lower than cast. I would have expected - from reading the Internet, not using a chronograph - the opposite. This proves that conjecture does not equal thorough testing as the article's conclusions found. I just wish they would have included my personal choice of Missouri Bullet Co. coated lead.

I've noticed that with Missouri Bullets Hi Tek bullets I've had to lower my powder charges.
Now I know where that "extra" velocity is coming from.

 

[Mikeinkaty]

I've launched Bayou .44 240's and .357 158's at full tilt over 110, 4227 and No 9 with outstanding results. Several people here have sent them down range in rifle at twice the speed of sound. I would say feel free to try them at jacked velocities. You will probably like the results.

I've got a box of 357 158's (JHP HDY XTP) with 16 grains of H110 loaded up, waiting for the range. The Hodgdon max for that load is 16.7 grains which they say produces 1757 fps. I got some 180 grn coated lead from MBC on order. Both these for my Henry Big Boy.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I've launched Bayou .44 240's and .357 158's at full tilt over 110, 4227 and No 9 with outstanding results. Several people here have sent them down range in rifle at twice the speed of sound. I would say feel free to try them at jacked velocities. You will probably like the results.

I'm experimenting with some 125 grn coated in a 357 bolt carbine right now. I'm working up to max loads for jacketed. 1125 x (2) sounds intriguing. I'm almost there and accuracy results have been encouraging. I expect higher velocity with coated using jacketed load data. I wouldn't try this using a revolver and will never shoot those hot loads in one. I shoot nothing but 38 spl in my model 19 revolvers.

I also have some coated SWC 158's but they don't feed in my carbine at all. If I get really bored this winter I may run some of those up to max and see what happens.

 

[yeti]

Of the coated loads that I folded into my well used/tested lubed lead recipes since Hi-Tek coating became more available commercially...some were modestly faster...some were about the same fps...some a tiny bit slower.
This was with comparable properly sized (just over bore size) & weight bullets in nearly identical/similar/same design (although these days I prefer no lube groove designs) styles.
Same barrels, same sized bullets, same OAL, same charge, same crimp settings, etc.
I honestly did not see enough of a clear real world difference between lubed lead and specifically Hi-Tek coated in actual fps to generalize that one is always faster than another. Too many variables.

I know I will use up my existing lubed lead and restock with coated.

 

[BC38]

Yeah, FWIW, I have been impressed enough with what I've been reading about powder coated bullets that I have been gathering the materials to powder coat some myself. From everything I'm reading on the castboolits<dot>com site it is a really easy process that only requires a few common items.

Here's the equipment & supplies list:

Toaster oven (capable of 375-400 degrees F)
Non stick aluminum foil (to keep the coated bullets from sticking)
Plastic bowl with lid (marked #5 plastic)
Small container of 25gr black plastic Crossman brand airsoft pellets
Tweezers or long- nosed hemostats
Powder coating powder

The instructions for applying the powder coating are:

Pour enough airsoft BBs into the bowl for them to be 3 layers deep
Add a teaspoon of powder coat
Place a handful of bullets into the bowl and snap on lid
Agitate bowl (swirl and/or shake) for ~1 minute
Pick powder-covered bullets out of bowl with tweezers
Place bullets standing up on baking sheet covered with non-stick foil
Preheat toaster oven to ~385 degrees F (+/- 10 degrees)
Bake for 1-15 minutes until powder melts and flows to give an even coating
Remove baking sheet from oven or turn off oven and allow to cool

That's pretty much it. People seem to be able to do a batch of 30-50 in under an hour - with the batch size being dependent on how big your oven & baking sheet are (how many you can fit on the sheet).

 

[EazyT]

I have often wondered the same thing as the OP. I just visit the website of the maker of the bullet in question to see what they say. Here are my findings.

Normal lead slugs with no gas checks the makers usually recommend a max of about 1,000 fps.

Gas checked range ammo usually have a recommendation of 1,200 fps.

Premium gas checked rounds such as Cast Performance often have a much higher certification. Hodgdon online reloading website and manuals have these loaded up just as or hotter than jacketed slugs. Just look over the 44 mag, 45 Colt +P, or 460/500 S&W loads from hodgdon for reference.

 

[EazyT]

Also same thing for plated rounds. Berries and Rainer typically rate their slugs for 1,200 fps. However that can vary by caliber. The 350gr 50 cal slug intended for the 500 S&W is made extra tough of course and is rated up to 2,000 fps!

As for powder coated bullets just check with the make to see what speed they rate them for.

Good luck!

 

[fredj338]

Never start at the top load listed. Always start 30% below Max and work up.
Use lead load data and you won't have any trouble.

30% would like produce squibs in some loads, waaaay to conservative. 10% is fine.

 

[fredj338]

I have often wondered the same thing as the OP. I just visit the website of the maker of the bullet in question to see what they say. Here are my findings.

Normal lead slugs with no gas checks the makers usually recommend a max of about 1,000 fps.

Gas checked range ammo usually have a recommendation of 1,200 fps.

Premium gas checked rounds such as Cast Performance often have a much higher certification. Hodgdon online reloading website and manuals have these loaded up just as or hotter than jacketed slugs. Just look over the 44 mag, 45 Colt +P, or 460/500 S&W loads from hodgdon for reference.

If the bullet is sized right, there is no real magic fp you can drive it, but softer alloy bullets will start failing around 1250fps.