Reloading characteristics between plated and jacketed bullets?

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

I have little experience reloading plated bullets. My experience is limited to the Speer 200gr TMJSWC that I use for CMP matches.

I have an order of plated bullets (Xtreme 9mm 124gr FN) on the way, since bulk plated bullets seem easier to find (today) than bulk jacketed bullets!

My question: how do plated bullets perform compared to (full metal) jacketed bullets? Do they tend to offer more or less resistance than jacketed bullets when moving through the bore of a pistol? Can I presume that a plated bullet compared to a jacketed bullet will require less powder in order to achieve a similar velocity?

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[jjfitch]

Load data

For example, look at Hodgdon load data for several 9mm loads. The jacketed bullets are sized .355 and will achieve a specific velocity at lower pressure than the same lead/plated .356 bullets.

A little research looking at load data will reveal the differences. As a new reloader it's interesting to experiment with different loads. Over the last 40-50 years I've tried and made just about every mistake possible. In the last 25 or so years I've settled on just a few powders for the calibers I load for.

All the best,

 

[gwpercle]

Jacketed bullets have the thicker , harder covering (jacket) so are the hardest to get moving down the barrel .

Plated are more like cast lead but to prevent leading have a much thinner , softer covering (jacket) than jacketed but are easier to get moving down the bore so powder charges aren't as high as data for jacketed bullets . Sometimes the maker has a velocity limit on plated .

When loading plated and no load data was available , I have always used the data for cast bullet as a place to start and then do not exceed the velocity limits set by the maker .

Accurate Arms / Western Powders has a good amount of plated data in their loading data guide which was very helpful .
Gary

 

[505Gibbs]

Jacketed bullets have the thicker , harder covering (jacket) so are the hardest to get moving down the barrel .

Plated are more like cast lead but to prevent leading have a much thinner , softer covering (jacket) than jacketed but are easier to get moving down the bore so powder charges aren't as high as data for jacketed bullets . Sometimes the maker has a velocity limit on plated .

When loading plated and no load data was available , I have always used the data for cast bullet as a place to start and then do not exceed the velocity limits set by the maker .

Accurate Arms / Western Powders has a good amount of plated data in their loading data guide which was very helpful .
Gary

I'd agree totally with the comments of plated vs. FMJ or JHP. Plated wiuld definitely be similar to a lead bullet.

 

[Sevens]

My experience is with Berry’s, Xtreme and Ranier and the predecessor to Rainier. I have found that plated bullets offer resistance in the bore that is much, much, MUCH more close to jacketed and nowhere near lead in any form.

Performance? Performance is a wide discussion. No matter if you love plated or you don’t like them, if we are being honest... plated is a budget short cut for folks that don’t want to learn and deal with the nuances and quirks of lead and want to save money over jacketed bullets and purchase in bulk.

Take no offense — I’m more than 100,000 slugs in to my plated bullet experience. If you shoot steel or plink and gilt-edge accuracy isn’t the absolute top request then plated can be a fantastic bullet for you.

If you wish to shoot at a level or discipline of competition Bullseye shooters than plated bullets are not ever going to be in the discussion.

I load them mostly like jacketed bullets. In revolvers, it is critical that you don’t load them too lightly or you will end up sticking one. You need to be very careful with roll crimping in revolvers so that you don’t cut the plating (it is thinner than a piece of paper)

In semiauto pistols, I truly load them just like jacketed and they tend to give me speeds similar to jacketed.

 

[lrrifleman]

I guess that I need to provide a clarification. I've been reloading about 45 years, and until I adapted a bullet load for my F class rifle, I've always had some form of reloading manual data in front of me. For my revolvers and most of my semi-auto pistols, I shoot my own cast bullets. At the moment, I am putting together some ammo for my Glock, and I think that we all know the warnings about shooting lead through a Glock!

I commonly see reference to using jacketed data for plated bullets, at the moment, I am trying to identify a reasonable starting point for the plated bullets that are on their way! At this point, I will probably use the load sheet from Speer for 124gr TMJRN, even though I am loading a similar weight plated FNTC. It would appear as though the two bullets have comparable bearing surfaces.

My original post was made to assist in identifying a starting point with jacketed bullets while not exceeding the maximum velocity for the bullet.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With the 9mm pistol you will have to play around with the OAL
with any bullet to see what your pistol likes best with the speeds that it is doing.

My 3.5" 124gr plated bullet will do from 944 to 1173fps.
My longer 5" barrel with do from 993 to 1267fps.

Good luck finding a good accurate load.

 

[Rule3]

Perhaps go back and review your previous thread.


Copper plated bullet load data?


There is not much difference in plated vs FMJ


Did you know that Technically Speer GD are a "Plated Bullet?
FMJ can be used for Plated. Plated are more like FMJ then regular lead.


I have smashed tested RMR "Plated bullets and crushed them in a bench vise. They are tougher than folks think.
Once again read the web site loading info for Berry and Extreme

 

[Sevens]

There’s very little published data for plated bullets because the bullets vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and data for an Xtreme slug would likely perform differently when applied to a Ranier bullet and the folks who test and publish load data know this.

In three decades at the bench I have managed to stick two bullets, both plated and both in .38 Special. Neither was a fail to charge the case or an error in technique. In both cases, it was me being overly cautious for what I now deem NO GOOD REASON.

So a decade ago I asked myself, “what do I risk at either extreme end?”

If I push plated too hard, the plating will strip, my accuracy will suffer and it is possible that the bullet comes apart. Less than ideal but I don’t see damage or safety issues. Just horrendous ammo.

If I push them too lightly then I run the risk of sticking one which can be horrendous to remove and catastrophic if somehow I am not aware that it got stuck.

Thus...
I start them near max for jacketed and I lower them accordingly rather than ever breathing half a thought that these are anything like a cast lead or soft swaged lead bullet.

 

[bigggbbruce]

My experience is with Berry’s, Xtreme and Ranier and the predecessor to Rainier. I have found that plated bullets offer resistance in the bore that is much, much, MUCH more close to jacketed and nowhere near lead in any form.



I load them mostly like jacketed bullets. In revolvers, it is critical that you don’t load them too lightly or you will end up sticking one. You need to be very careful with roll crimping in revolvers so that you don’t cut the plating (it is thinner than a piece of paper)

In semiauto pistols, I truly load them just like jacketed and they tend to give me speeds similar to jacketed.

^+1

I just take manufacturers recommendations not to push them past 1200fps.

 

[Rule3]

There’s very little published data for plated bullets because the bullets vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and data for an Xtreme slug would likely perform differently when applied to a Ranier bullet and the folks who test and publish load data know this.

In three decades at the bench I have managed to stick two bullets, both plated and both in .38 Special. Neither was a fail to charge the case or an error in technique. In both cases, it was me being overly cautious for what I now deem NO GOOD REASON.

So a decade ago I asked myself, “what do I risk at either extreme end?”

If I push plated too hard, the plating will strip, my accuracy will suffer and it is possible that the bullet comes apart. Less than ideal but I don’t see damage or safety issues. Just horrendous ammo.

If I push them too lightly then I run the risk of sticking one which can be horrendous to remove and catastrophic if somehow I am not aware that it got stuck.

Thus...
I start them near max for jacketed and I lower them accordingly rather than ever breathing half a thought that these are anything like a cast lead or soft swaged lead bullet.

look at the Accurate data for say 9mm, there is not a whol heck of lot of difference between Plated and FMJ RN.

 

[mikld]

I have only tried about 1,000 plated bullets and for one new to plated I suggest thinking of them as a lead bullet with a soft coating. I reloaded 98% of my hand gun bullets with lead data using lead bullet methods (case prep, loading methods, and bullet sizing). My results were successful but for me, plated were no advantage over my home cast bullets (I have worked out leading and accuracy issues with most of my cast bullets and if I need high velocity I go wwith jacketed)...

 

[Sevens]

I just take manufacturers recommendations not to push them past 1200fps.

Xtreme has a higher recommendation and I believe Berry's has raised theirs in recent years also.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Not 9mm but I saw a report about bullet friction and what the difference was in different bullet coating with a 45 ACP with a 230gr weight bullet to get to 800 fps with w231 powder.

A Cast bullet took just 5.3 grs.

A FMJ bullet needed 5.7 grs to get there.

The Plated bullet needed 5.9 grs of powder to get to 800 fps.

As you can see, lead and plated bullets are not kissing cousins...
even if they weigh the same.

Stay safe, people.

 

[1&done]

My question: how do plated bullets perform compared to (full metal) jacketed bullets? Do they tend to offer more or less resistance than jacketed bullets when moving through the bore of a pistol? Can I presume that a plated bullet compared to a jacketed bullet will require less powder in order to achieve a similar velocity?

As others have said, plated tends to behave closer to published jacketed data then published lead data.

I am a fellow Glock shooter and have sent thousands of 124gr plated downrange (multiple brands). I am using Universal powder and running right at published max loads for jacketed bullets. All of my Glocks (9mm, 10mm, and 45ACP) tend to like full power loads. Assume you will find the same.

Accuracy is sufficient for my uses: practice as well as 2 gun competition. I'm not a good enough shooter to be competing for the title here so plated might give up some accuracy but I have not noticed.

DM me if you would like me to share load data. I also have chrono data to match. As I said, these are full house loads so YMMV.

 

[1&done]

There’s very little published data for plated bullets because the bullets vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and data for an Xtreme slug would likely perform differently when applied to a Ranier bullet and the folks who test and publish load data know this.

This is actually true for all bullets. Two different jacketed pills of the same weight will not flow down the barrel the same. It tends not to be super important for most handgun applications (you notice it much more when doing rifle work over a chronograph) but it still is true and it is of concern as you max out the cartridge.

An example inline with the OP of 9mm 124gr.
From Lee Modern Reloading Second Ed:
9mm 124gr XTP using Accurate #5.
Max load is 5.9gr @ 34658psi
9mm 125gr Jachketed (unspecificed brand) using Accurate #5.
Max load is 5.3gr @ 34552psi

 

[Fanner50]

Tagged. I'm just now assembling everything to load 9mm and this post is Very informative. I have bullets, powder, and primers. Just waiting on the Lee Deluxe four die set to arrive. I'm using an old RCBS RCII single stage press. Thanks.

 

[dr. mordo]

FWIW, I've shot a few thousand plated bullets and my experiences are exactly like Sevens posted above. I load them to FMJ specs and no issues. Personally, I tend to load a bit under the max for FMJ, but I mostly shoot magnums so they are still pretty hot. Mine have all been Xtreme, no Berrys. I would certainly follow the bullet manufacturer's recommendations if Xtreme had any.

Lately I've started shooting powder coated lead bullets instead of plated and I run them pretty hot also with no issues.

I think that where plated bullets might become a liability is in rifles, but I haven't started reloading for rifles yet so I can't comment there.

 

[Rule3]

Rather then spout anecdotal information look at some actual tested load data.


http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WPHandloading-Guide-7.0-Web-REV.pdf



AA#5
38 Special

158 Hornady XTP 5.2-5.8
158 Nosler HP 5.0-5.6
156 Berry plated FP 5.2-5.8
158 Rain RN 5.1-5.7
158 MBC L 5.3-5.9


COL may vary a bit, FPS will vary a bit


YMMV depending on Powder used etc etc


Do not use this typed info as it may be typographically incorrect!


Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:

• Standard Plate Bullets Max Velocity: 1,250 fps.
• Thick-Plate Bullets (TP) Max Velocity: 1,500 fps.

• The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
• Berry's max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)

EXTREME
Load Info

Our Copper Plated Bullets can be run at mid-range jacketed velocities or higher end lead velocities. We recommend keeping velocities to less than 1500 FPS (Feet Per Second) and using only a light taper crimp
Any velocities over 1200 FPS we recommend either our Heavy Plate Concave Base or Hollow Point products for superior accuracy. We recommend keeping velocities to less than 1500 FPS (Feet Per Second) and using only a light taper crimp
All of our Hard Cast Lead Bullets are approximately 18 on Brinell, our Cowboy lead bullets are approximately 15 on Brinell.



When in doubt look it up!

 

[gwpercle]

Tagged. I'm just now assembling everything to load 9mm and this post is Very informative. I have bullets, powder, and primers. Just waiting on the Lee Deluxe four die set to arrive. I'm using an old RCBS RCII single stage press. Thanks.

Western Powders , Accurate Arms , has load data for plated bullets . They have data on a web site , available in a free load data guide (for the postage) edition 6.0 ...I received one two years ago, it's great and They recently published a large comprehensive Loading manual .
For working up handgun loads with AA #2 and AA #5 , with plated and cast lead bullets , The free loading guide was all I needed fo 38 special , 357 magnum , 9mm luger , 41 magnum and 45 acp ... there are loads in +P and +P+ configurations for many . Lots of information in the booklet ...updated edition , 8.0 is available for $2.99 postage it's a real bargain .
They have it as a pdf if you wish to download the pages you need ...but for $2.99 , just order one .
Gary