Questions on copper plated bullets for plinking...

[REDLINE]

I have some questions on copper plated bullets for 10mm plinking loads...

Between Rainier and Berry's, is there any reason to choose one over the other?  Is it just a matter of going with the one you find at the lowest cost?

In terms of flat point plated bullets, when you have a choice between the round shoulder or more squared off shoulder, is there any reason to choose one over the other?

[wifecallsmegrumpy]

1. I have never had luck with berrys but the 165grn rainers work well with 10.4grns of BD in my pistol.

2. Whatever feeds in your pistol I guess

[sqlbullet]

Lots of folks have issues driving the Berry's faster than about 1000 fps.  If that limit works for you then either is fine.  If not, I would go with the Rainier.

I find the sharper the shoulder and nose, the cleaner the hole in the target.  If you are plinking for score, that might make the difference on who buys beer that day.  And, as mentioned, a given gun may be finicky one way or another.

[REDLINE]

Thanks guys.  I was trying not to read too much into the choices but sometimes you just never know so I threw the questions out there.

[Bro KV]

I have a box of 500 Rainier 180gr bullets on the self. Still haven't used them.

[REDLINE]

I'm not 100% decided yet, but I'm currently swinging toward 1000 count of the Rainier 180gr JHP.

[Bro KV]

I bought an expander die so I'm going to give them a try

[Dakotared]

I have some 180 RN  Berrys and my with my witness the Berrys are cleaner than lead so. I got them going about 1150fps. I like them!

[arttyszka]

I'm not trying to hijack your original question, but have you considered moly coated instead?  I moved from copper plated to moly coated for range loads years ago and never looked back.  They've gained a lot of traction in USPSA and IDPA in the last few years as well.  They're the same cost as plated, usually slightly less, and I've not had any issues driving them up to 1400 fps.  I have read of some guys that get moly fouling, but that's true of copper too and it's easy enough to remove.

Just a thought.

[sqlbullet]

Welcome to the forum arttyszka!  Glad to have your comments.  And, no we don't get to worked up about tangents here.  Pretty laid back.

Those not familiar with moly coatings should keep in mind there are two different types of moly coated bullets.  Moly coated lead bullets and moly coated copper jacketed bullets.  I have considered trying some of the moly tumble lubes but never have gotten around to it.

One other thought....Don't clean that moly fouling out of the barrel.  One of the proposed benefits is that it bonds to the surface of your barrel and reduces friction for any bullet you shoot in the future.

[arttyszka]

I've shot over 10k rounds of Precision's through a Glock 35 with excellent results.  I started loading the same 165 and 185 gr Precision's for my Glock 20 and again, they are extremely accurate, don't tumble, and do well with velocities from 900 to 1400 fps.  I tried them on a whim 10 years ago after I had problems scraping off the copper plating of National Bullets (now out of business) while seating.  Take a look at www.precisionbullets.com - I highly recommend them. 

[REDLINE]

I'm not trying to hijack your original question, but have you considered moly coated instead?

Not at all.  Very glad you brought it up as it's not an option I've ever considered before.  I will definitely look into them at the precision link you posted.  Thanks!

What do you think about them in Glock barrels where non-jacketed bullets are generally not supposed to be used?

[sqlbullet]

I shoot cast in my Glock, so I may be the wrong guy to ask...But as long as it is at least .001" over groove diameter, it should be fine.

[The_Shadow]

There are many new coatings being used today, polymers, even powder coated paints.  I did actually shoot painted bullets as a joke with all the zombie ammo from Hornady where they left us 10mm guys out in the cold.  BTW those painted bullets actuall had less leading and performed very well wit one exception, some of the paint flaked off from feeding in the magazine, easily cleaned up.   As you can see the actual lube was applied without diturbing the paint.  I can see the durability of powder painting where the melting the paint coating on to the bullet would be tougher bond.

[arttyszka]

What do you think about them in Glock barrels where non-jacketed bullets are generally not supposed to be used?

No problems at all with a poly barrel.  I shoot them in a Glock 22, 27, two 35s, 20SF and a HK P2000.  They work excellent in all of them.  I've been shooting them for more than 8 years out of Glock barrels with excellent accuracy, no mess in my dies, clean hands and no leading or copper fouling in my barrels.  I was a little leary at first because they weren't popular when I started using them, but I'm now a believer.  Precision claims you can drive them at 2000 fps with no problems.