plated vs fmj when it comes to reloading

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jon1985

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I am pricing components to reload 9mm and am looking at campro plated projectiles. Is there a difference when it come to reloading and shooting between plated and fmj?

I did a search and didnt find anything so hopefully it hasnt been asked to many times before.
 
I believe FMJ would hold out more to hot loads/high velocity compared to plated. This was what I was able to find out during my research.
 
Bullet Comparison

Jacketed - Generally are most expensive but can be shot at magnum velocities and require less cleaning than Cast bullets.
Plated - Not as expensive as Jacketed and cleaner than lead but you'll want to stay away from magnum velocities when loading plated bullets.
 
madcow said:
Bullet Comparison

Jacketed - Generally are most expensive but can be shot at magnum velocities and require less cleaning than Cast bullets.
Plated - Not as expensive as Jacketed and cleaner than lead but you'll want to stay away from magnum velocities when loading plated bullets.
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This^

On top of this a difference when you crimp is that plated needs a bit more care to avoid too strong a crimp. A strong crimp cuts into and weakens the thin plated jacket and can result in the jacket separating from the lead core when fired. And that affects the accuracy.

As mentioned by road carver there's also often a velocity limit due to the thinner plated jacket vs the thicker swaged jacket.
 
I read the above posts for "magnum velocities" and did some internet searches (The BEST place for the truth). Appears that 1200fps starts into the "magnum velicities" area. I thnk that is really smokin' for 9mm.
 
BCRider said:
As mentioned by road carver there's also often a velocity limit due to the thinner plated jacket vs the thicker swaged jacket.
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I don't know about Campro but Berry's advises keeping the velocity on their plated bullets under 1200 fps. I've heard the Campro plating is a little thicker than Berry's (no personal experience with Campro, however) so you might be able to push them a little faster. In either case if you're looking for max velocity jacketed is the way to go.
 
Campro bullets do seem to hold out alright with magnum velocities! I had some 125gr bullets behind 21gr of H110 in my .357 and they were all accurate. I'd say about 6 or 7 bullets out of the thousand 125gr bullets I loaded were "venting" lead. What I mean is either the rifling, or possibly too much crimp caused a part of the lead to show through and as the bullet hit the paper it left a weird spiral shape of dust on the paper right beside the hole. Those bullets still shot like the others.

With regards to 9mm I wouldn't worry about loading them too fast.
 
They're ok for 9mm and 45, you won't be able to go fast enough to worry about it. Even so, I prefer to pay the extra and use zero bullets. Difference is about $30/k, but they are top notch
 
I've loaded and fired over 5000 TMJ (Total Metal Jacketed) also known as plated bullets at "magnum" velocities and probably beyond without any issues at all. According to Campro (the manufacturer) any load spec for the equivalent weight FMJ bullet is acceptable for their TMJ's.
 
dirtybarry said:
I've loaded and fired over 5000 TMJ (Total Metal Jacketed) also known as plated bullets at "magnum" velocities and probably beyond without any issues at all. According to Campro (the manufacturer) any load spec for the equivalent weight FMJ bullet is acceptable for their TMJ's.
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It depends on the brand. Berrys bullets, for example, come with a maximum muzzle velocity printed on the box label. They are not suitable for magnum velocities.

I was talking to someone at the last gun show that has an in with the Campro factory and says that Campro has been using a process that results in a thicker plating and more resistance to higher muzzle velocities. So for the moment Campro is my own choice if I get to have a choice.
 
i would try them out instead of going by a disclaimer. People load lead bullets to some pretty decent velocities so I don't see plated being an issue unless your going to be shooting into space.
my HO
 
BCRider said:
It depends on the brand. Berrys bullets, for example, come with a maximum muzzle velocity printed on the box label. They are not suitable for magnum velocities.

I was talking to someone at the last gun show that has an in with the Campro factory and says that Campro has been using a process that results in a thicker plating and more resistance to higher muzzle velocities. So for the moment Campro is my own choice if I get to have a choice.
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Not sure if I'm lucky or the 357 bullets from berry are thicker playing then 9mm, 40 and 45 but I have yet to see any issues when loaded at full power with 2400, h110 or lil'gun.

I treat plated or powder coated as jacked most of the time.
 
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