9 mm lead vs. plated or fmj

Hiram33 · November 8, 2010, 08:51 PM

Just started with my new dillon 550b loading 9mm. where can I find load and pressure data that compares lead cast bullets vs. plated or fmj.

looking at: Berry 115 grn. plated rns / with 6.0 grn Power pistol / winchester primers.

Any direction or advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

WESHOOT2 · November 9, 2010, 07:20 AM

Back down that Power Pistol load to a start of 5.4g for those Berrys, and see how the accuracy looks from your launch platform.

(Work up in .1g increments for accuracy.)

spacecoast · November 9, 2010, 08:10 AM

If you're using Berry's plated bullets, then use low to mid-level FMJ data and you will be fine.

demigod · November 9, 2010, 08:55 AM

I use full powered loads with my berry's plated 9mm. I'm running them in a glock, and the pistol doesn't care for mild loads. Full powered 9mm loads are within the max velocity for plated bullets.

COSteve · November 9, 2010, 10:18 AM

The plated bullets thinner copper cover than a jacketed bullet (about .007") coupled with their softer lead cores allows them to obturate into the rifling much like plain lead bullets which is why most manufacturers recommend you use lead bullet loading data to avoid exceeding max pressure limits. In addition, while most manufacturers recommend a max velocity of about 1,200fps when using plated bullets, my personal testing has confirmed that they hold together just as well as jacketed bullets at much higher velocities when loaded correctly.

I've shot many thousands of 165grn 40/10mm Berry's, Rainiers, X-Treme, and Speer Gold Dot bullets (yes, they are also plated) at velocities over 1,500fps out of my 6" custom 10mm G20L with good accuracy and no problems. In addition, I've shot a thousand or so Rainier plated 110grn M1Carb bullets at over 1,900fps without issue too. The secret to loading plating bullets is to refrain from over crimping them. Just remove the flair in the neck and rely on the neck tension to hold the bullet and you'll do just fine with them.

November 8, 2010, 08:51 PM	#1
Hiram33 Junior Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Posts: 3	9 mm lead vs. plated or fmj Just started with my new dillon 550b loading 9mm. where can I find load and pressure data that compares lead cast bullets vs. plated or fmj. looking at: Berry 115 grn. plated rns / with 6.0 grn Power pistol / winchester primers. Any direction or advise would be appreciated. Thanks

November 9, 2010, 07:20 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Back down that Power Pistol load to a start of 5.4g for those Berrys, and see how the accuracy looks from your launch platform. (Work up in .1g increments for accuracy.) __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 9, 2010, 08:10 AM	#3
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	If you're using Berry's plated bullets, then use low to mid-level FMJ data and you will be fine.

November 9, 2010, 08:55 AM	#4
demigod Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,129	I use full powered loads with my berry's plated 9mm. I'm running them in a glock, and the pistol doesn't care for mild loads. Full powered 9mm loads are within the max velocity for plated bullets.

November 9, 2010, 10:18 AM	#5
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	The plated bullets thinner copper cover than a jacketed bullet (about .007") coupled with their softer lead cores allows them to obturate into the rifling much like plain lead bullets which is why most manufacturers recommend you use lead bullet loading data to avoid exceeding max pressure limits. In addition, while most manufacturers recommend a max velocity of about 1,200fps when using plated bullets, my personal testing has confirmed that they hold together just as well as jacketed bullets at much higher velocities when loaded correctly. I've shot many thousands of 165grn 40/10mm Berry's, Rainiers, X-Treme, and Speer Gold Dot bullets (yes, they are also plated) at velocities over 1,500fps out of my 6" custom 10mm G20L with good accuracy and no problems. In addition, I've shot a thousand or so Rainier plated 110grn M1Carb bullets at over 1,900fps without issue too. The secret to loading plating bullets is to refrain from over crimping them. Just remove the flair in the neck and rely on the neck tension to hold the bullet and you'll do just fine with them.