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spacecoast · September 16, 2010, 08:53 AM

Copper plating is not as tough as FMJ so you have to be a bit careful not to damage the plating while seating the bullet, or using such a hot load that the plating is ripped from the bullet. But you don't have to contend with shaving lead, smearing lube, etc. I use plated bullets for anything over 900 fps, i.e. all 9mm loads, some low-level .357s and some hotter .380s. For hot .357s I go with FMJ. I load/shoot lead in .38 special and .45.

For plated bullets, Berry's recommends you use low to mid-level FMJ loads, and those have worked well for me. Another benefit is that plated bullets are usually a bit less expensive than FMJ.

September 16, 2010, 08:53 AM	#2
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Copper plating is not as tough as FMJ so you have to be a bit careful not to damage the plating while seating the bullet, or using such a hot load that the plating is ripped from the bullet. But you don't have to contend with shaving lead, smearing lube, etc. I use plated bullets for anything over 900 fps, i.e. all 9mm loads, some low-level .357s and some hotter .380s. For hot .357s I go with FMJ. I load/shoot lead in .38 special and .45. For plated bullets, Berry's recommends you use low to mid-level FMJ loads, and those have worked well for me. Another benefit is that plated bullets are usually a bit less expensive than FMJ.