Copper Plated Bullets

starman · 11-06-2012, 06:30 AM

What is the opinion on Copper Plated bullets vs. Cast Lead for target practice
I'm loading 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 44/44mag.
My bullet maker is now offering the copper plate and thought I would give it try unless there's negative side to it.

Thanks.

carver · 11-06-2012, 07:03 AM

I'm no expert on this subject, but all bullets, lead, or copper, will leave fouling in the barrel. Copper being harder than lead should produce less fouling. What speeds do you plan to get these pistol rounds up to? If you've been shooting lead, the copper plated bullets should show a marked improvement over the lead, in the fouling catagory.

starman · 11-06-2012, 05:59 PM

I'll first try them on the 9mm at approx 1000 to 1100 fps

Thanks

carver · 11-06-2012, 06:03 PM

Sounds good to me, and you are welcome. I'm really surprised that some of the guys that really know this stuff haven't chimed in yet.

312shooter · 11-06-2012, 08:14 PM

I find the narrow price margin between plated and jacketed is too little to justify buying copper plated (yes another dig on Berrys here). Buy jacketed from precision delta or roze dist. For me lead on the cheap or jacketed but never plated, I find no reason in dealing with it, looks jacketed, its price near jacketed but it needs to be loaded like lead; I dont see the logic.

carver · 11-06-2012, 08:16 PM

It's just that copper plated can be pushed a little faster than plain lead.

LDBennett · 11-06-2012, 08:44 PM

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

cpttango30 · 11-06-2012, 08:49 PM

For my 45acp plinking ammo I prefer platted. Then I don't have to worry about lube cracking and falling out of the grooves. I found that plated bullets cost slightly less than lead. My last buy was 2k 200gr TC 45 bullets for $225 with FREE SHIPPING.

Vs

Lead bullets at $250 per 2k plus shipping.

312shooter · 11-06-2012, 08:59 PM

1k 45acp 230gr Jacketed and Delivered $125. 2k of the same $240.50 www.rozedist.com

starman · 11-06-2012, 09:10 PM

All good points, I was just trying to save a few pennies, however I will stick w/ cast for target shooting my revolvers and jacket for my semi auto, I don't need any feed problems to mess with.

Thanks to all,

Hopefully all voted today to retain what fredoms we have left.

mikld · 11-07-2012, 11:35 AM

Plated bullets are a bit "cleaner" than lead bullets. Cleaner to handle; no lube to get on yer fingers (lube on fingers don't bother me). Guns shoot a bit cleaner; no lube to "gunk up" the gun, (not a problem for me either). And no leading with plated (not a problem with lead bullets if they are sized/purchased to fit the gun). Worth the higher cost than lead? Personal decision...

Oneida Steve · 11-07-2012, 03:48 PM

I shoot plated bullets in half-a-dozen calibers. They are much cleaner shooting than cast or swaged lead. I like 'em. Well worth the few extra pennies, IMO.

targetacqmgt · 11-07-2012, 05:20 PM

Hoppe's # 9 I swear it PULLS the copper residue out a barrels land and groves.

cpttango30 · 11-07-2012, 05:33 PM

My 45 is a Kimber custom II. I have never had a single problem of shaving the copper off or any feed issues with plated or lead bullets.

That's just me. I have never had my 1911 jam because of a gun malfunction, it has only jammed 2 times since I bought it 12 years ago and that was cheap crappy ammo issues.

starman · 11-07-2012, 09:34 PM

Thanks to I'll Try some and see what happens.

streetglide45 · 11-12-2012, 06:19 PM

I've used Berry's plated bullets for about a year now in 45 ACP and 38 SPC without any issues. Easier to load and cleaner to shoot.

11-06-2012, 06:30 AM	#1
starman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 121	Copper Plated Bullets What is the opinion on Copper Plated bullets vs. Cast Lead for target practice I'm loading 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 44/44mag. My bullet maker is now offering the copper plate and thought I would give it try unless there's negative side to it. Thanks. -->

11-06-2012, 07:03 AM	#2
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,219	Re: Copper Plated Bullets I'm no expert on this subject, but all bullets, lead, or copper, will leave fouling in the barrel. Copper being harder than lead should produce less fouling. What speeds do you plan to get these pistol rounds up to? If you've been shooting lead, the copper plated bullets should show a marked improvement over the lead, in the fouling catagory. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

11-06-2012, 05:59 PM	#3
starman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 121	Re: Copper Plated Bullets I'll first try them on the 9mm at approx 1000 to 1100 fps Thanks

11-06-2012, 06:03 PM	#4
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,219	Re: Copper Plated Bullets Sounds good to me, and you are welcome. I'm really surprised that some of the guys that really know this stuff haven't chimed in yet. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

11-06-2012, 08:14 PM	#5
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Copper Plated Bullets I find the narrow price margin between plated and jacketed is too little to justify buying copper plated (yes another dig on Berrys here). Buy jacketed from precision delta or roze dist. For me lead on the cheap or jacketed but never plated, I find no reason in dealing with it, looks jacketed, its price near jacketed but it needs to be loaded like lead; I dont see the logic. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin Last edited by 312shooter; 11-06-2012 at 08:47 PM..

11-06-2012, 08:16 PM	#6
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,219	Re: Copper Plated Bullets It's just that copper plated can be pushed a little faster than plain lead. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

11-06-2012, 08:44 PM	#7
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: Copper Plated Bullets 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 Last edited by LDBennett; 11-06-2012 at 08:46 PM..

11-06-2012, 08:49 PM	#8
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Copper Plated Bullets For my 45acp plinking ammo I prefer platted. Then I don't have to worry about lube cracking and falling out of the grooves. I found that plated bullets cost slightly less than lead. My last buy was 2k 200gr TC 45 bullets for $225 with FREE SHIPPING. Vs Lead bullets at $250 per 2k plus shipping.

11-06-2012, 08:59 PM	#9
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Copper Plated Bullets 1k 45acp 230gr Jacketed and Delivered $125. 2k of the same $240.50 www.rozedist.com __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin Last edited by 312shooter; 11-06-2012 at 09:02 PM..

11-06-2012, 09:10 PM	#10
starman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 121	Re: Copper Plated Bullets All good points, I was just trying to save a few pennies, however I will stick w/ cast for target shooting my revolvers and jacket for my semi auto, I don't need any feed problems to mess with. Thanks to all, Hopefully all voted today to retain what fredoms we have left.

11-07-2012, 11:35 AM	#11
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: Copper Plated Bullets Plated bullets are a bit "cleaner" than lead bullets. Cleaner to handle; no lube to get on yer fingers (lube on fingers don't bother me). Guns shoot a bit cleaner; no lube to "gunk up" the gun, (not a problem for me either). And no leading with plated (not a problem with lead bullets if they are sized/purchased to fit the gun). Worth the higher cost than lead? Personal decision... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast. Last edited by mikld; 11-07-2012 at 11:36 AM..

11-07-2012, 03:48 PM	#12
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Copper Plated Bullets I shoot plated bullets in half-a-dozen calibers. They are much cleaner shooting than cast or swaged lead. I like 'em. Well worth the few extra pennies, IMO.

11-07-2012, 05:20 PM	#13
targetacqmgt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 494	Re: Copper Plated Bullets Hoppe's # 9 I swear it PULLS the copper residue out a barrels land and groves.

11-07-2012, 05:33 PM	#14
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Copper Plated Bullets My 45 is a Kimber custom II. I have never had a single problem of shaving the copper off or any feed issues with plated or lead bullets. That's just me. I have never had my 1911 jam because of a gun malfunction, it has only jammed 2 times since I bought it 12 years ago and that was cheap crappy ammo issues.

11-07-2012, 09:34 PM	#15
starman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 121	Re: Copper Plated Bullets Thanks to I'll Try some and see what happens.

11-12-2012, 06:19 PM	#16
streetglide45 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5	Re: Copper Plated Bullets I've used Berry's plated bullets for about a year now in 45 ACP and 38 SPC without any issues. Easier to load and cleaner to shoot.