M&P .40 and plated bullets

[chrislind2]

I have been reloading .40 caliber for many years and started using plated bullets about 2 years ago. In most cases I was very happy with the accuracy. But I am having trouble with the M&P .40 and my reloads. First I put a .357 Sig barrel in it and started reloading .357 Sig. I even put the gun in a shooting vise and proved that the gun is not very accurate, this was at about 25 yards. So I put the .40 barrel back in and shot some of my reloads once again using the vise. It generally shoots low and left but once in awhile it will hit dead on, so it is inconsistent. The only test I need to run is using some factory ammo, another excuse to go back to the range. It could be this gun just doesn't like plated ammo? I have been using Bullseye powder with a 165gr bullet. Think I may try some Unique and load them a little hotter.
This is the gun I use for carry and I trust it's reliability 100%, but wish I could make it drive nails, too much to ask I know.

 

[SteveFi]

i havent found a good load yet for berry's 165 gr plated in a fs M&P but accuracy wasnt horrible, just not great. do get good accuracy with the berry's 155 gr plated though

 

[jwalts27]

I have loaded several thousand 165g plated bullets (mostly Xtreme or Powerbond) for my M&P40. I don't use Berrys, they left a bad taste in my mouth yrs ago. Try using 6g of Unique with a light crimp at 1.125 OAL. My accuracy is spot on. On average I get about 1050fps.
4-5 years ago IMI sold a frangible bullet 125g. They sold them for $75 per 1k. Accuracy was amazing, then they discontinued it. I have about 1k left to load. I never tried Sinterfire as the price is a little high.

 

[chrislind2]

Factory Rounds

I need to try some factory rounds just to get a starting point. I should be getting just over 1000fps with the 165gr Berry's with 5.7gr Bullseye. I have shot 100's of 9mm Berry's bullets and have always liked the accuracy. Some .40's in my CZ Rami, Ruger P84, Walther PPS, and my Beretta PX4 sub compact. So I have had some experience shooting the Berry's .40 rounds.
Was never worried about the accuracy with those. I must say at 25 yards I can still hit within a 12x12 target. Good enough I suppose, but I'm still anxious to see how the factory rounds do.

 

[retired_diver]

I shoot a Glock 23 (40sw) and all I shoot now is plated, mostly from x-treme in 155gr. accuracy is great at least at the 30 yard steel targets I normally shoot at.

 

[jwalts27]

I shoot a Glock 23 (40sw) and all I shoot now is plated, mostly from x-treme in 155gr. accuracy is great at least at the 30 yard steel targets I normally shoot at.

You have the polygonal rifling in your 23? If so beware, the copper plating over time (1k-2k rnds so i hear) will clog up the rifling. A few guys i shoot with have swapped out for a KKM or Storm Lake barrel to avoid this.

 

[427mach1]

You have the polygonal rifling in your 23? If so beware, the copper plating over time (1k-2k rnds so i hear) will clog up the rifling. A few guys i shoot with have swapped out for a KKM or Storm Lake barrel to avoid this.

I wonder if CFE Pistol powder would prevent this?

 

[rh73]

From Berry's FAQ: Can I shoot your plated bullets in my Glock?

Yes. We have a large contingent of loyal Glock shooters using our bullets. The plating is thick enough that you will not get lead fouling in your bore, which is the nemesis of polygonal barrels.

I have been shooting Berry's, and Xtreme plated bullets in 9mm and .40 Glocks for years. No issues.

Speer Lawman and Federal Champion use plated bullets. Nothing about not for use in Glock's on the boxes. I'm sure lots of other factory ammo uses plated bullets.