Copper Plated 45 SWC bullets

[GT45]

Who makes these that will actually cut a relatively clean hole in a paper target?

About 5 years ago I purchased a few thousand Rainier 200g 45 SWC and they worked very well, cutting remarkably clean holes. I recently ran out of them and decided to try the Xtreme 200g SWC. What a waste of cash. The rounded shoulders could not even come close to making a clean hole. Same with Berry's product. So I order Rainier again just to find out they redesigned the bullet in the past few years and what do you know, NO CLEAN HOLES. Seems these 3 companies have tailored their SWC design to feed well in semi-auto's disregarding the SWC function. I shoot a SW Model 25 so feeding issues are not something that concerns me.

Anyone know of a reasonably cost effective (<$75/500) copper plated 200g SWC manufacturer? Thank you.

 

[scattershot]

No personal experience, but have you looked at the coated lead bullets? They appear to be sharp shouldered like the cast variety, but no leading. I know Missouri Bullet makes them, as do others.

Good luck!

 

[JBnTx]

The Missouri Bullet's 200gr SWC Hi Tek coated bullet cuts a clean hole.

Just make sure there's no air space between your target and the target backing. If the target is in firm contact with its backing, you'll get those sharp clean holes.

If there's a space between your target and its backing material, or your target is hanging free, then you'll get rips and tears resembling key holes.


Missouri Bullet Company

 

[GT45]

Thanks for the tip on Missouri Bullets. Looks like they sell sampler packs of the Bullseye #1 45 SWC for $15, might try those.

Anyone else have experience with this bullet or other 200g SWC that can cut a decent hole? Thanks again.

 

[Rule3]

I have shot a lot of the MBC lead and coated SWC. They are good bullets.

What kind of backer do you have on your targets, No bullet makes a perfect hole on plain paper (like hanging in a indoor range)
A firm piece of backer board (cardboard is needed)

 

[GT45]

Just ordered the 100 sampler pack of the Bullseye #1 "cutters" from Missouri, hoping for the best.

The indoor range I use always has fresh, new cardboard backing at the start of each day, which is when I show up. I print my own B-2 pistol targets on 28# quality copy paper.

I have to say I'm really disappointed in Rainier for changing the bullet design. Their old SWC design (viewed in a loupe) had a raised "knife edge" on the top shoulder surface circumference that really made it a cutter. Target backing or no backing, it worked very well. In hindsight I should have bought 250lbs of those bullets.

 

[colt_saa]

Tonight I will look through the shelves.

I just moved 96k of assorted jacketed and plated handgun projectiles to the new house.

The upside is that they are a bit more organized than in the above picture

I know I have a stash of the Berry's 200 HP, but that is more of a truncated cone than a SWC.

I think I still have some of the Winchester 185 Match Jacketed SWCs, but they will not be in your price range.

I have to look at what I have in he Raniers sitting on the shelf

 

[Tex1001]

These have always cut clean holes for me:
Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 45 Cal (451 Diameter) 200 - MPN: 45200FP5

_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[reddog81]

You'll have to update the thread once you get a chance to shoot the MBC bullets. People routinely ask about the accuracy of plated vs coated vs lead so I know I'd be interested to see what you think of the coated bullets vs. the plated bullets.

I'm guessing it is much easier to get a good coating of the copper plating on a rounded edge vs a sharp edge. I have noticed that all the plated bullets I see have rounded edges even for the SWC's

 

[Rule3]

When posting pictures of targets on the web I find these handy!

 

[fredj338]

How clean of a hole do you need? If you want sharp clean holes, lswc or coated lswc.

 

[GT45]

Well, I don't NEED super clean holes but after shooting 4000 of those old style Rainier SWC's over the past few years I got really used to the nice clean targets they produced. So easy to score the target (like I used a hole punch ). Now, with the recent SWC's I've tried it can be impossible to know for sure where the shot hit, is that an 9 or is it a 10 ring shot. The shots overlap and the edges are tattered. With the old Rainier bullet I'd have 6 or more shots overlapping within the 9 ring on the B-2 target and easily count and place every one of them.

Once I get a hold of the Missouri bullets I'm sure I'll load and test them promptly and update this thread along with a few previous target photos so everyone can see what I'm talking about

 

[Rule3]

As long as your indoor range allows hand loads and lead or coated lead bullets.

 

[Calliope]

Was shooting some Rainier 200 plated SWC today in my USP and my buddy's 1911. Nice clean holes in heavy cardstock, very accurate in both guns too. (4.5 Bullseye) They're on sale now at Midway.

I also like The Blue Bullets .45/200 coated SWC, a little bit cleaner holes and excellent accuracy. I like the groove-less and square base design. They have some great deals on sample packs.

SNS Casting (coated) is good too.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've always been a fan of MBC. I've loaded tens of thousands of their 200 gr SWC in 45acp. Most recently, in their coated flavor. The lack of smoke is appreciated when shooting indoors.
That said, I've also loaded and shot a couple thousand of Xtreems 200gr plated SWC and have no complaints at all with how they punch paper. Maybe not quite as clean as a LSWC but fine enough for practice.

 

[4barrel]

The 200 H&G 68 style shoots a clean hole. The flat base will group better. They do in my guns anyway.

 

[stansdds]

CCI-Speer still makes copper plated 45 ACP Semi-wadcutter in the H&G #68 style bullets in both 185 and 200 grains.

 

[gwpercle]

Just ordered the 100 sampler pack of the Bullseye #1 "cutters" from Missouri, hoping for the best.

The indoor range I use always has fresh, new cardboard backing at the start of each day, which is when I show up. I print my own B-2 pistol targets on 28# quality copy paper.

I have to say I'm really disappointed in Rainier for changing the bullet design. Their old SWC design (viewed in a loupe) had a raised "knife edge" on the top shoulder surface circumference that really made it a cutter. Target backing or no backing, it worked very well. In hindsight I should have bought 250lbs of those bullets.

I find targets printed on cheap construction paper, the kind elementary school kids use for projects, allows clean cut holes regardless of backing. I buy bulk package in white or light grey. It can be ordered online if no craft store or school supply stores around. I print them on our standard office copy machine...the paper is a little heavier than copy paper but runs right through our not new machine....nice clean holes are cut in it, soft paper is the secrete ..
Gary

 

[Calliope]

CCI-Speer still makes copper plated 45 ACP Semi-wadcutter in the H&G #68 style bullets in both 185 and 200 grains.

Speer is the last to stop making the jacketed SWC. (TMJ)

Hornady used to make them as well, their 200 grain FMJ-C/T is my favorite match bullet, I'm down to just a few hundred. Now out of production.

The most accurate was probably the 185 Remington Jacketed SWC, that's out of production too.

Everybody is switching to jacketed hollowpoints for serious target work.

Bummer. I like the SWC's.

 

[argon18smith]

I have been using Berry 200 grn swc plated in my 460 (not recommended by Berry) and the first thing I noticed was the clean cut hole they leave. No shrapnel marks so I figure I'm good to go. Maybe it's the higher velocity making a cleaner hole than the ones you are seeing. The Berry are .4515 in diameter that is why I'm using them.