What are your thoughts on polymer bullet ammo?

[Borderboss]

What has been your experience with ammo loaded with polymer-coated bullets? I want to pick up some cheap .38 Special ammo in bulk for range work and thought that perhaps polymer bullets would be better than plain lead, from a barrel clean-up perspective, and it wouldn't give my old barrels the stress an FMJ would give.

Thanks for letting me know your thoughts.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have shot a fair amount of them over the last year. They are definitely cleaner to handle and, unless you get stupid with the velocity, leave the bore cleaner as well.

 

[colt_saa]

What has been your experience with ammo loaded with polymer-coated bullets? I want to pick up some cheap .38 Special ammo in bulk for range work and thought that perhaps polymer bullets would be better than plain lead, from a barrel clean-up perspective, and it wouldn't give my old barrels the stress an FMJ would give.

Thanks for letting me know your thoughts.

If we include NyClad along with it's replacement Syntech, I have been shooting these for probably 40 years now.

I have never had any problems with it. Obviously the bore is cleaner than with lead

As to Jacketed giving a barrel stress, if we are talking about handguns, most people could not afford enough Jacket ammunition to wear out a barrel

Remember your steel barrel is MUCH harder than any of the copper-nickel alloys traditionally used for bullet jackets.

Now if you are talking about the steel jacketed European ammunition, the best thing you can do for your gun is stay away from it

 

[Borderboss]

As to Jacketed giving a barrel stress, if we are talking about handguns, most people could not afford enough Jacket ammunition to wear out a barrel

Remember your steel barrel is MUCH harder than any of the copper-nickel alloys traditionally used for bullet jackets.

I'm talking about 1950s barrels. I already cracked one on a 1954 pre-10 after I shot 100 jacketed normal pressure and 25 +P. It's true that I don't know who did what with it before I got it, but the range session started with a non-cracked barrel and ended with a cracked barrel. That's why I'm going to stay with lead, or perhaps polymer, with this gun and others of its age.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Like the Federal Syntech..........
just wish the price will come done a little.

 

[mikerjf]

I just started using coated last year, like it a lot and am planning to switch completely away from uncoated lead. Cleaner on me and cleaner on the barrel.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I prefer copper coated..

Much more flair needed with poly coated to keep from stripping coating and lead when seating.. works the brass more..

 

[Borderboss]

I'm just looking at loaded ammo at this point, not bullets for reloading. Glad to hear so far that it seems to be a pretty good option.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Remember KTW? They teflon coated a tungsten bullet. It shot through everything. Big Brother claimed they would shoot through an officer's BP vest........So they went away.