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Old October 12, 2012, 05:39 AM   #1
bkhann
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Rainier Lead Safe Bullets

Midway has just announced a sale on Rainier Lead Safe Pistol Bullets

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?promot...tNum=102562953

Does anyone have any experience with these (good ?....bad?...ugly?........)


Thanks
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Old October 12, 2012, 06:42 AM   #2
Qtiphky
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Love them!

I have had great results with them in all calibers. I load them for 380, 9mm, 10mm/40, 45 ACP, 38 spcl, 357 Mag. I only shoot outdoors and the reason I bought them originally was they were on sale at one point. I like how they perform, the ease with which they load, and you can buy hollow points for the same price. I am not using them for defensive handloads, but use them in large numbers to replicate my defensive handloads.
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Old October 12, 2012, 08:03 AM   #3
full case load
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Reloaded and shot about 800 rounds of 327 Fed Mag using Rainier 100 Gr plated HP. Going to get another thousand of them shortly. In other words, I haven't had any problems using them for self defense practice rounds. (As I don't hunt with them I have no idea how they would work on game.)
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Old October 12, 2012, 08:41 AM   #4
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I've used Rainiers in 9mm, .38 Super, .40, 10mm, .45acp. .45 Colt with mostly great results.
The .451" 200 grain SWC is particularly accurate in a USP .45 and my .45 Colt carbine.
Only my stock Glock 10mm barrel had trouble achieving top accuracy, but the KKM .40 conversion barrel in the same gun did not. (same results with Berry's)
Glock 29 w/KKM .40 conversion, Rainier 165 FP, offhand at 25 yards. (pretty sure the flier is my fault)
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Old October 12, 2012, 08:51 AM   #5
CsAdonis
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Loaded thousands of 45ACP and 38spl with these, had no real issues with them at all; fairly accurate - very light leading of the barrels if any. I worked them up just like any other load and they performed well. I believe there is a 1200 FPS limit by the manufacturer on these plated bullets, but I never get close to that with my loads.
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Old October 12, 2012, 09:01 AM   #6
BPowderkeg
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their .50 caliber bullets are also great !! i have loaded and shot several thousand of them, i currently have 1,000 each of flat point and H.P.
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Old October 12, 2012, 10:36 AM   #7
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Used many 1000's... No problems...
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Old October 12, 2012, 01:55 PM   #8
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Had a squib, my fault, stuck in my Glock barrel. Pounded it out and the plating still look good as new except rifling marks that did not penetrate the plating. I buy Berry's too.
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Old October 12, 2012, 02:54 PM   #9
greentick
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Have used a few thousand of 9mm and 10mm. When I pushed the velocity with the 10mm/180gr FP several would not even hit a silhouette at 25m and the ones that did were keyholing. For some reason the HPs did much better.
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Old October 12, 2012, 03:05 PM   #10
DFrame
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They are my bullet of choice in anything 40 ( I own 5). I use the 155 grain bullet and have fired thousands of them in Glocks, Sigs, Kahrs, Colts, and S&Ws all with excellent results.
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Old October 12, 2012, 04:37 PM   #11
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They shoot very nicely in my P226. Very accurate, and cheap. I probably have 200 - 300 of the original 3000 pieces I bought. Never regretted buying them. BTW - Thanks for the heads up, I am going to Midway's site and maybe get another 3000.
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Old October 12, 2012, 05:31 PM   #12
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No complaints here but I prefere Berry's as the plating is a tad thicker.
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Old October 12, 2012, 08:25 PM   #13
Fullthrottle
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After over 800 rounds reloaded in .40 S&W, .38 special and .357 magnum, I have had zero issues. Functioned well and great accuracy for plinking.

Remember their website states to keep them under 1200fps. These are plated not jacketed rounds.
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Old October 13, 2012, 04:44 AM   #14
bkhann
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Thanks to everyone for your imput.

In th epast I have taken 9mm plated bullets to 1200 fps with no problems. Anything larger than 9mm is less than 1200 fps.
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Old October 13, 2012, 07:59 AM   #15
steve4102
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Plated bullets used to fill a price gap between Lead and Jacketed. Not so any more. Berry and Rainier have become very proud of their bullets and now charge as much if not more than true jacketed, even on sale.

I for one will not pay more for an inferior bullet.
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Old October 13, 2012, 11:46 AM   #16
testuser
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Jacketed and plated rival each other in price, maybe in 9mm and in some .40 caliber weights. But, that's a lot harder to do with other calibers, especially .357 and .44.

I have a preference for plated bullets in some applications, since I shoot steel almost exclusively. Jackted bullets will sometimes send a jacket fragment back at you, but plated bullets are soft enough to be destroyed easily by the steel. Less airborne lead and less fouling of ported pistols is also a plus.

Accuracy is good enough to hit a 5 inch steel plated at 20 yards, which is all I'm asking these bullets to do.
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Old October 13, 2012, 03:06 PM   #17
greentick
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Quote:
Remember their website states to keep them under 1200fps. These are plated not jacketed rounds.
Sadly, Midway's site continues to say 1500fps, which is what I followed. Having always had good results with Rainiers in the past and armed with a 22# recoil spring for my G20 I loaded a pile.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/105...ated-flat-nose

Add: I would have to look back at my log book but I think I was pushing them well over 1300fps. Thinking back to my troubleshooting at the time I was suspicious that the Lee FCD was deforming the projo, which may have contributed. Unforturnately I had loaded the box of 500 and had none left to test my theory. I agree that the price for Rainiers has gone through the roof, used to be way cheaper than FMJs. Was thinking of trying Precision Delta next time.

Last edited by greentick; October 13, 2012 at 03:17 PM. Reason: Added more info
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Old October 14, 2012, 10:07 AM   #18
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making noise vs making close holes

I used them commercially (and in vast quantity) in numerous chamberings for cop-training ammo.

I much prefer other choices for my own ammo, choices that provide better accuracy.
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