Copper plated vs lead, discuss...

mikeystew

mikeystew

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I have believed until recently that copper plated bullets were better because they caused less lead fouling. But after much thought my latest hypothesis is that the plated bullets leave excessive copper fouling which i believe could very well be worse. I can scrape copper plating off rather easily with a butter knife, so really how much of that remains on the bullet after being squeezed through 24" of rifled steel? And how much more difficult is it to remove copper versus lead fouling?
 
I've never seen any copper fouling in a .22. I don't think any .22 rimfire drives a bullet fast enough to cause copper fouling.
 
Bullets I recover don't look like they give up any copper. Can't say I have ever seen any deposits in my barrels either. I think the differences between the two are pretty much nil. .22 barrels will last much longer than you if even half assed cared for. I owned a shot out cooey. Pretty sure rust was to blame...
 
I prefer copper plated just so that I'm not handling the lead with my fingers. When we kids we had no problem with pellets though.:redface: A case of not knowing any better.
 
mikeystew said:
I have believed until recently that copper plated bullets were better because they caused less lead fouling. But after much thought my latest hypothesis is that the plated bullets leave excessive copper fouling which i believe could very well be worse. I can scrape copper plating off rather easily with a butter knife, so really how much of that remains on the bullet after being squeezed through 24" of rifled steel? And how much more difficult is it to remove copper versus lead fouling?
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from what i know,lead bullits tend to exit the muzzle at higher velocity, but vaporizing lots of lead particules-desintegrating right after ignition still in the barrel.

copper plated bullits doesn't leave such kind of particules spray, stay integral but are less precise by nature than lead bullits.

copper plated are more influenced by the barrel riffling, spiraling more than lead bullits wich are softer ,lead bullits getting a much flatter trajectory-ballistic depending of the distance shot.
 
mikeystew said:
I have believed until recently that copper plated bullets were better because they caused less lead fouling. But after much thought my latest hypothesis is that the plated bullets leave excessive copper fouling which i believe could very well be worse. I can scrape copper plating off rather easily with a butter knife, so really how much of that remains on the bullet after being squeezed through 24" of rifled steel? And how much more difficult is it to remove copper versus lead fouling?
Click to expand...


from what i know,lead bullits tend to exit the muzzle at higher velocity, but vaporizing lots of lead particules-desintegrating right after ignition still in the barrel.

copper plated bullits doesn't leave such kind of particules spray, stay integral but are less precise by nature than lead bullits.

copper plated are more influenced by the barrel riffling, spiraling more than lead bullits wich are softer ,lead bullits getting a much flatter trajectory-ballistic depending of the distance shot.
 
mikeystew said:
I have believed until recently that copper plated bullets were better because they caused less lead fouling. But after much thought my latest hypothesis is that the plated bullets leave excessive copper fouling which i believe could very well be worse. I can scrape copper plating off rather easily with a butter knife, so really how much of that remains on the bullet after being squeezed through 24" of rifled steel? And how much more difficult is it to remove copper versus lead fouling?
Click to expand...

You might want to ask a similar question about fouling in the reloading forum.;)
 
I don't think that it is "copper plating", but more of a wash or dip with a copper coloured lubricant of some sort. Can anyone here tell us exactly what the coating is and how is it applied?
 
It is a microthin copper "wash" plating those 22 rimfire bullets. I believe I read somewhere that it is a brief electroplating process. You will never see any copperwashed rimfire ammo being used in a serious match, and most match shooters will not use copperwashed bullets in their expensive match 22's [I am one of these] The copperwash eliminates the need for wax or grease as a lubricant, so these bullets tend to stay cleaner in your pocket than do plain lead bullets. The difference in barrel wear would be so miniscule as to be insignificant. Most people do not live long enough to shoot out a 22 rimfire barrel. Copperwash bullets are great for plinking and for plain jane 22's. For quality rimfires and the best accuracy, buy lead bullets from a reputable match ammo manufacturer. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Has anybody here had any experience with Winchester copper plated 22 rounds? they come in a plane white box. Tempted to try them in my 10/22
 
sl66ICEcuba said:
Has anybody here had any experience with Winchester copper plated 22 rounds? they come in a plane white box. Tempted to try them in my 10/22
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If you're talking about Dynapoints, I can highly recommend them. They run well in my S&W Model 41 and are quite accurate out of my 10/22 with a Green Mountain barrel. The plating also allows for higher round counts between cleanings with my K-22 before chamber fouling causes sticky extraction.
 
All i use are dynapoints. Cheap, accurate and very few problems of any sort. I have not had any luck with any of the X brands though. alot of problems with the "target" ammo by winnie.
 
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