Beginner Bullet Question

kcstrom · February 11, 2007, 10:50 PM

I am a noob at pistol shooting and reloading. I'm looking to buy my first reloading equipment this coming weekend. I live a couple of hours from MidwayUSA, so I'll probably drive there to pick up everything after ordering online this week sometime.

From what I can see, Rainer bullets look to be the cheapest for practice shooting (just bought my first pistol (PX4 9mm) two weeks ago), and I need a lot of practice shooting.

My question is this: what are the disadvantages to the Rainer bullets? I beleive you get what you pay for, I'm just wondering why they're so much cheaper. It looks like perhaps because it is more lead and less other stuff than other bullets? Aren't other bullets of the FMJ variety basically the same thing?

Many thanks in advance for all of the kind and informative replies. You guys are great!

kcstrom

Shoney · February 11, 2007, 11:26 PM

kcstrom
Rainier bullets are very good, accurate bullets. They are lead bullets that are copper plated, as opposed to the jacketed bullets. You would be wise to seat and crimp the bullets in seperate operations and apply only a very light crimp (this prevents distortion of the bullet).

Keep the velocites to midrange, check the barrel often during load devellopment for fouling (primarily copper but lead fouling can occur).

Dogjaw · February 12, 2007, 06:42 AM

Here's their web site. http://www.rainierballistics.com Click on load data. The bullets are made cheaper, thus sold cheaper. This does not mean they're bad, just good for their intended use, which is target shooting. Lead bullets are cheap too, but the bullet of choice for most target shooting because of costs and accuracy.

kcstrom · February 12, 2007, 09:30 PM

From what I gather, the difference between Rainier Total Copper Jacket (TCJ) and a full metal jacket is the fact that the copper is electroplated onto the lead.

Is that the only difference? I really don't understand why a FMJ is better. Can someone please explain to a noob here?

Many thanks.

kcstrom

Scooter72 · February 12, 2007, 10:04 PM

I have shot thousands of Rainers in .40 S&W through my XD-40 without any problems and they are very accurate. I just can't get the .45 ACP's to cycle throught my Springfield 1911.

**Mal H** · February 12, 2007, 10:08 PM

A copper jacket is considerably thicker than the plating on a Rainier bullet. The advantage of the jacket is that it can be extruded from a copper disk and can be much more uniform from bullet to bullet. The thick jacket holds up better to higher velocities and spin rates than the thinner plating.

Rainier bullets are essentially lead bullets that have been plated with a thin layer of copper. Most lead bullets are either swaged (forced into shape by a press) or molded. In general they are not as accurate as copper jacketed bullets of the same shape, caliber and weight, but they are plenty accurate.

As the others noted above, Rainier bullets are very good for their intended purpose. They won't be able to take full house loads in a .44 magnum, for example. But they are great for general target practice and plinking in most calibers. They have a big advantage over all lead bullets in that they don't lead the barrel and there is little danger of atomic lead pollution hazard (i.e., they're healthier).

kcstrom · February 12, 2007, 10:15 PM

Thank you all for your replies and thank you very much Mal H for the detailed explanation of the differences!

Thank you very much.

kcstrom

February 11, 2007, 10:50 PM	#1
kcstrom Member Join Date: January 30, 2007 Posts: 16	Beginner Bullet Question I am a noob at pistol shooting and reloading. I'm looking to buy my first reloading equipment this coming weekend. I live a couple of hours from MidwayUSA, so I'll probably drive there to pick up everything after ordering online this week sometime. From what I can see, Rainer bullets look to be the cheapest for practice shooting (just bought my first pistol (PX4 9mm) two weeks ago), and I need a lot of practice shooting. My question is this: what are the disadvantages to the Rainer bullets? I beleive you get what you pay for, I'm just wondering why they're so much cheaper. It looks like perhaps because it is more lead and less other stuff than other bullets? Aren't other bullets of the FMJ variety basically the same thing? Many thanks in advance for all of the kind and informative replies. You guys are great! kcstrom

February 11, 2007, 11:26 PM	#2
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	kcstrom Rainier bullets are very good, accurate bullets. They are lead bullets that are copper plated, as opposed to the jacketed bullets. You would be wise to seat and crimp the bullets in seperate operations and apply only a very light crimp (this prevents distortion of the bullet). Keep the velocites to midrange, check the barrel often during load devellopment for fouling (primarily copper but lead fouling can occur). __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 12, 2007, 06:42 AM	#3
Dogjaw Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 560	Here's their web site. http://www.rainierballistics.com Click on load data. The bullets are made cheaper, thus sold cheaper. This does not mean they're bad, just good for their intended use, which is target shooting. Lead bullets are cheap too, but the bullet of choice for most target shooting because of costs and accuracy. __________________ There are three kinds of men: 1) The ones that learn by reading. 2) The few who learn by observation. 3) The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves..........

February 12, 2007, 09:30 PM	#4
kcstrom Member Join Date: January 30, 2007 Posts: 16	From what I gather, the difference between Rainier Total Copper Jacket (TCJ) and a full metal jacket is the fact that the copper is electroplated onto the lead. Is that the only difference? I really don't understand why a FMJ is better. Can someone please explain to a noob here? Many thanks. kcstrom

February 12, 2007, 10:04 PM	#5
Scooter72 Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 36	I have shot thousands of Rainers in .40 S&W through my XD-40 without any problems and they are very accurate. I just can't get the .45 ACP's to cycle throught my Springfield 1911.

February 12, 2007, 10:08 PM	#6
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	A copper jacket is considerably thicker than the plating on a Rainier bullet. The advantage of the jacket is that it can be extruded from a copper disk and can be much more uniform from bullet to bullet. The thick jacket holds up better to higher velocities and spin rates than the thinner plating. Rainier bullets are essentially lead bullets that have been plated with a thin layer of copper. Most lead bullets are either swaged (forced into shape by a press) or molded. In general they are not as accurate as copper jacketed bullets of the same shape, caliber and weight, but they are plenty accurate. As the others noted above, Rainier bullets are very good for their intended purpose. They won't be able to take full house loads in a .44 magnum, for example. But they are great for general target practice and plinking in most calibers. They have a big advantage over all lead bullets in that they don't lead the barrel and there is little danger of atomic lead pollution hazard (i.e., they're healthier).

February 12, 2007, 10:15 PM	#7
kcstrom Member Join Date: January 30, 2007 Posts: 16	Thank you all for your replies and thank you very much Mal H for the detailed explanation of the differences! Thank you very much. kcstrom