[LDBennett]

Plated bullets have been around for decades, actually. Rainier is the first supplier I became aware of. When they came out they split the difference price wise between jacketed and cast or swaged lead bullets. But the pricing has slipped up in the last few years such that they are much closer to jacketed bullet prices than in the past. I have used them all these years for revolvers and semi-auto pistols.

In more recent years I switched back to full jacket bullets for the 9mm and 45ACP because I was seeing some feeding problem with the plated bullets. I now get the Bulk Packed Winchester or Remington jacketed bullets for a bit more. I still use the plated Rainier bullet for my revolvers.

If you follow the directions from Rainier and Berrys, they say to load them at velocities for cast bullets, not jacketed bullets. They do limit lead buildup in the barrel. I keep all the cast and plated bullets at velocities below 1000 FPS but can still get lead build up with cast lead bullets in some guns. (commercial cast, not home cast)

Why would you selected plated bullets? Some indoor ranges have rules about no exposed lead bullets. They worry about the lead dust in the air inside the range. Even if they have fans to keep it away from the shooters, I am sure the EPA is not too keen on them exhausting lead dust to the outside. The jacketed or plated bullets tend to not breakup and emit lead dust. I started using the plated bullets when my mild sub 1000 FPS cast bullet loads required me to dig the lead out of the start of the barrel using a pick.

LDBennett