electroplated bullets

RGDZorro · September 15, 2000, 09:14 PM

What can you all tell me about using the electroplated bullets, Rainier and/or Berry MFG? Does the copper plating hold up, or streak off in the barrel when fired at the velocities of standard copper jacketed bullets? What about accuracy? Intended use is target shooting only.

rkmstr · September 15, 2000, 09:41 PM

I use Rainiers in my .357sig reloads with no problems. Copper fouling is no worse than jacketed bullets. Accuracy is the same or better than my carry rounds (Hornady & Lawman).

[This message has been edited by rkmstr (edited September 15, 2000).]

saands · September 17, 2000, 12:34 AM

I'll round out the evaluations ... I have used 1500 or so of Berry's bullets and have not had ANY issues. I load .40S&W to about 1275 fps and have fired .357 125gr HP's out at close to 1650 fps and looked for issues with fouling and bullet integrity and didn't see anything. The guys at Berry's said that depending on the barrel etc you might see the plating separate at velocities over 1,300 ... I try to keep the .357's around 1,500 fps. At extreme velocities, your mileage may vary. Below the 1,300 fps range though, I am sure that you will find them to be wonderful performers at a great price!
saands

WESHOOT2 · September 17, 2000, 07:51 PM

Loaded and sold multiple tens of thousands of rounds using Rainier bullets.

Good bullets. I like 'em.

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"

saands · September 17, 2000, 07:58 PM

So ... that takes care of Berry's and Ranier ... has anyone heard of Western ... I thought that I read a post recently about even better prices from them ... if the quality is still there, there might be aplace for them ...
saands

RGDZorro · September 18, 2000, 09:42 PM

Thanks to all of you for your replies, this service is GREAT!!!. What about shooting these bullets in a Desert Eagle, anybody have any problems with fouling of the gas port?

Guy B. Meredith · September 18, 2000, 11:15 PM

I use West Coast bullets, and at the International Revolver Championships found that other members of the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) favor them as well.

Someone recently related that someone else (does this qualify for urban legend?) had cut various copper plated bullets in half and found that West Coast had the thicker jacket. They are also restruck after plating.

My rounds are .38 spl for competition and only loaded to about 850 fps for now. Haven't seen any fouling, but I may just not have recognized it. Overall, though, the revolver shoots very clean and gets through 300 rounds in a session with no problems.

I buy .38 cal 158 gr for $52/thousand with shipping included. If you buy in bulk they can be as low as $35/thousand NOT including shipping. You can pick them up at the shop to avoid shipping or they can clue you in on how to cut shipping in half by ordering 20,000 rather than the 10,000 min for the $35/thousand price.

They are in Nevada and I am in the SF Bay area. Seems like I can order them one morning and have them by the end of the next day.

SVSUPER · September 19, 2000, 12:11 AM

I second the West Coast Bullets. they are great. I have been shooting them over a year and use them in 38super and 357 sig. I push them 1500+ fps and have no problem. I have been getting .355 124 gr rn for @ $31 a thousand ordering in bulk.

September 15, 2000, 09:14 PM	#1
RGDZorro Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 59	What can you all tell me about using the electroplated bullets, Rainier and/or Berry MFG? Does the copper plating hold up, or streak off in the barrel when fired at the velocities of standard copper jacketed bullets? What about accuracy? Intended use is target shooting only.

September 15, 2000, 09:41 PM	#2
rkmstr Member Join Date: August 19, 2000 Location: Middlebury, IN, USA Posts: 50	I use Rainiers in my .357sig reloads with no problems. Copper fouling is no worse than jacketed bullets. Accuracy is the same or better than my carry rounds (Hornady & Lawman). [This message has been edited by rkmstr (edited September 15, 2000).]

September 17, 2000, 12:34 AM	#3
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	I'll round out the evaluations ... I have used 1500 or so of Berry's bullets and have not had ANY issues. I load .40S&W to about 1275 fps and have fired .357 125gr HP's out at close to 1650 fps and looked for issues with fouling and bullet integrity and didn't see anything. The guys at Berry's said that depending on the barrel etc you might see the plating separate at velocities over 1,300 ... I try to keep the .357's around 1,500 fps. At extreme velocities, your mileage may vary. Below the 1,300 fps range though, I am sure that you will find them to be wonderful performers at a great price! saands

September 17, 2000, 07:51 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Loaded and sold multiple tens of thousands of rounds using Rainier bullets. Good bullets. I like 'em. ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo"

September 17, 2000, 07:58 PM	#5
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	So ... that takes care of Berry's and Ranier ... has anyone heard of Western ... I thought that I read a post recently about even better prices from them ... if the quality is still there, there might be aplace for them ... saands

September 18, 2000, 09:42 PM	#6
RGDZorro Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 59	Thanks to all of you for your replies, this service is GREAT!!!. What about shooting these bullets in a Desert Eagle, anybody have any problems with fouling of the gas port?

September 18, 2000, 11:15 PM	#7
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	I use West Coast bullets, and at the International Revolver Championships found that other members of the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) favor them as well. Someone recently related that someone else (does this qualify for urban legend?) had cut various copper plated bullets in half and found that West Coast had the thicker jacket. They are also restruck after plating. My rounds are .38 spl for competition and only loaded to about 850 fps for now. Haven't seen any fouling, but I may just not have recognized it. Overall, though, the revolver shoots very clean and gets through 300 rounds in a session with no problems. I buy .38 cal 158 gr for $52/thousand with shipping included. If you buy in bulk they can be as low as $35/thousand NOT including shipping. You can pick them up at the shop to avoid shipping or they can clue you in on how to cut shipping in half by ordering 20,000 rather than the 10,000 min for the $35/thousand price. They are in Nevada and I am in the SF Bay area. Seems like I can order them one morning and have them by the end of the next day.

September 19, 2000, 12:11 AM	#8
SVSUPER Member Join Date: February 3, 2000 Posts: 30	I second the West Coast Bullets. they are great. I have been shooting them over a year and use them in 38super and 357 sig. I push them 1500+ fps and have no problem. I have been getting .355 124 gr rn for @ $31 a thousand ordering in bulk.