Plated rifle bullets

[tangolima]

It doesn't work. At least not yet.

Bought 123gr plated bullets for 7.62x39 (.311" diameter) from Xtreme to feed my SKS. I understand plated bullet can't go as fast as jacketed bullets, so I loaded them light (around 2000fps). The result has been no good so far. The group out 100 yard is worse than a shotgun. I think I am going to load them even lighter. It is a bit disappointing as I have been using their plated bullets for M1 carbine with great results, also around 2000fps.

Any of you guys have tried their rifle bullets? Thanks.

-TL

[Bart B.]

I shot about 600 nickel plated, copper jacketed match bullets out of a .264 Win Mag in long range matches. Printed no worse than 10 inches at 1000 yards in accuracy tests. Made by Norma, they were popular in Europe for 300 meter free rifle and biathlons. Leaving at about 3200 fps from a 28" barrel, only one flew apart about 100 yards downrange.

Copper plated lead bullets are typically kept under 1300 fps in handguns. Such cautions are often on their packaging.

What metal was plated on your bullets?

[tangolima]

Hi, Bart. My bullets are copper plated. Yours are jacketed, though nickel plated, so it is no comparison.

I went for 2000fps because their copper plated bullets have been doing fine in m1 carbine, also at 2000fps. The pressure is different I reckon.

Thanks.

-TL

[armoredman]

I've used the 125gr Berry's plated bullets for some years, and it really depends on the firearm. My SA vz-58 ripped them apart, at all velocities, so I was tempted to write them off. Did your groups look something like this?



My CZ 527M, on the other hand, had this to say about the Berry's plated bullet.



I still have a stash of them, mostly shoot lead, because I can, but after lapping the vz-58 bore it will also shoot the Berry's without shredding. Might check your bore with a slug to see if you have some rough spots that could throw them off. Good bullets, seem kind of hard to find.

[tangolima]

Ah ha! That looks exactly the group I am getting. Rough bore eh? I wouldn't be surprised if it has some. It is a cheapo commies sks after all. I'm going to lap the bore and try again. Thanks a lot. You gave me new hope to fight another day.

-TL

[armoredman]

Yep - what you're seeing is the plating stripping off in flight. The stripped bullets were at only 50 yards, and that other group is 200 yards.

Gently with the lapping, and you should see some improvement.

[tangolima]

Oh, forgot to ask. What speed do you load your rounds to? Thanks.

-TL

[armoredman]

Between 1800 and 2200 FPS.

[tangolima]

OK then. I'm already in the speed range.

-TL

[tangolima]

Tried lapping the bore. Unfortunately it didn't help at all. The plated bullet still shoot like a shotgun, or even worse than. Guess I am going to write them off. I got more than 400 rounds.

Looks like plated bullets in rifle is iffy affair. I'm tempted to try cast bullets. But they may not feed well in an auto loader.

-TL

[armoredman]

I cast for 7.62x39mm, and I discovered a hard cast, lead a wee bit harder than Lyman 32 alloy, works pretty well at moderate velocities. Gas operated guns HAVE to be checked after firing to see if you have lead splatter in the gas tube, to make sure the lead mix is hard enough. I found the Lyman #2, certified bullet metal from Seafab does the trick in my SA vz-58. I still shoot the 527 MUCH more than the vz-58.
Good lead, properly lubricated, and a good gas check, and you should be golden.

[tangolima]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I don't, and can't, cast, so I'll have to buy commercial cast bullets. Will give it a try when I find some with gas check.

-TL