Lead vs Coated vs Plated Bullets - Questions

[Encore64]

So....not shocking that different handloaders have different experiences and opinions.

Mine are different too...

The only plated bullets I've shot were from Berry's Mfg. They have provided great accuracy in all my loading when loaded correctly.

Cast have been great when dimensions dictate that the gun will like cast. Even then some barrel bores won't like cast. There's too many variables to point to an exact benefit or detriment.

Coated cast have been excellent for me. I was slow to come onboard, but am a believer these days.

GC Coated Cast have simply amazed me. I've pushed some to nearly 2000 fps with amazing accuracy.

The older I get, the less sure I am about what I "know."

Each gun has its own personality and preferences. It's up to us to find it...

[bigbore5]

Sept 2, 2024 11:10:56 GMT -5 AxeHandle said:

Pushed harder? Don't grasp the concept of "Paper Puncher" huh? Hard to get softer than a pure lead swaged lead bullet. Paper punchers believe in "Push Accurate," NOT Push Harder. Have yet to waste any time powder coating for paper punching loads. Do actually like powder coated stuff for stuff I might usually gas check.

That's our difference there. I punch cans, paper, and meat with exactly the same loads all the time. I practice like I hunt. If I can kill a can at 100yds, it'll kill a ground hog or a whitetail at the same. No remembering different sight pictures or recalculating trajectory. And yes I do often use a full tilt 525gr 500 Linebaugh on coyotes and dirt clods.

[boolitdesigner]

[quote author="bigbore5" .[/quote]
That's our difference there. I punch cans, paper, and meat with exactly the same loads all the time. I practice like I hunt. If I can kill a can at 100yds, it'll kill a ground hog or a whitetail at the same. No remembering different sight pictures or recalculating trajectory. And yes I do often use a full tilt 525gr 500 Linebaugh on coyotes and dirt clods.[/quote]



Ha, somebody that actually gets it. Nice to see others that do.

[AxeHandle]

My personal shooting is like my hunting too. I always keep a hunting license in my pocket but the last time I was in the field with a killing plan was December 1974. Haven't loaded or fired a round since yesterday.

Bottom line.. Accuracy wise, plated bullets just don't shoot as well as powder coated or lubed bullets. That goes for cast or swaged.

[bradshaw]

Reckon it was just over forty years ago Dave Andrews of Speer/CCI handed me some electroplated bullets. “These called TMJ----Total Metal Jacket,” said Andrews. The idea may have started in the attempt to reduce lead emissions on ranges, especially indoor with sheet steel deflectors. Andrews sent me developmental TMJ bullets in .357 and .44. I reported accuracy deficient for silhouette.

“I know,” said Andrews when we spoke. “Uneven jacket deposit. More build-up on the corner of a contour. We’re working on it.”

The next batch, and next batch, shot tight. I told Dave Andrews I’d try to prove my accuracy claims on the firing line. Loading the .357 200 grain TMJ in .357 Maximum, my Dan Wesson Arms Model 40 Vent 8” Silhouette bumped my IHMSA Revolver Aggregate Record (shooting a Production revolver in all categories of Big Bore competition----Revolver, Production (closed breech), Unlimited, and Standing.

In .44 Mag, the Speer 240 TMJ has recorded rather spectacular accuracy, including IHMSA chickens @ 150 meters (164 yards) from my Ruger Redhawk 5-1/2” with iron sights, and around a sub 1” group @ 100 yards from my Freedom Arms M83 with 10” Shilen 1:16” twist barrel (work by the great Jim Stroh). The M83 with Nikon 2x scope.

Speer developed hollow points from the TMJ concept, calling them Gold Dots. The hollow point die deposits a spot of jacket at the bottom, thus “Gold Dot.”

Since Speer’s perfection, I’ve shot a variety of electroplate bullets in several calibers, none remotely close to my accuracy with the Speer projectiles. Nor have I experienced jacket stripping from Speer’s invention. I’ve heard of folks trying non-Speer electroplated bullets in silhouette, with sub-par accuracy.
David Bradshaw