Wrinkled bullet copper plating

[Insanity Required]

I am new to reloading and have a question for the hivemind.

Did 100 rounds and found 4 where the copper plating of the bullet was crumpled up/ pushed up by the top of the case. Not wanting to waste components my thought was if i were to just cut/ scrape/ dremel off the wrinkled up copper would i be able to reload these or am I best to cut losses and toss¿

They are Berry's 9mm 124gr. And would just be for target plinking in one of 2 handguns.

View attachment 493523

 

[billdick]

Being cheap as I am I would load it up. Done it several times without issue. There will be people that will post things like "you'll die if you do it" so its up to you.

 

[Janeau]

Does not worth loading.
Flare your case properly and take the time to line up your bullet before seating them.

 

[B]

Just toss them.

 

[Munkey1973]

Toss 'em .... its only 4 projectiles. I haven't reloaded handgun in long time, but I imagine that Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets are still on the lower end of the price scale. Personally, I won't spend a 10 minutes smoothing down bearing surface lengths to salvage $1.00 in components..... you probably won't die using them, but the risk of even a minor malfunction is not worth saving a buck.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

It will also cause one side to be slightly heavier than the side you trim. This will cause the balance to be upset and the bullet will spiral a bit. Probably won't notice any accuracy issues at typical ranges.

Auggie D.

 

[4n2t0]

Load them and learn...

 

[53Izzy744]

 

[fire@will]

What you're proposing, would most likely work - but for the relatively minor $ loss of a few bullets, I'd toss them and not risk any possible crap happening to my gun. I can't imagine what that might be - but I've been bit in the a_ _ a few times, by things I never thought would happen.

 

[VICIOUS]

Less then a cost of coffee, dump em. Save the gun. Buy CAMPRO

 

[Janeau]

Toss 'em .... its only 4 projectiles. I haven't reloaded handgun in long time, but I imagine that Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets are still on the lower end of the price scale. Personally, I won't spend a 10 minutes smoothing down bearing surface lengths to salvage $1.00 in components..... you probably won't die using them, but the risk of even a minor malfunction is not worth saving a buck.

Berry’s are more expensive than Campro. No reason to buy American when we have the same and better in Canada. Thanks to Campro..we have not seen the lack of bullets like the US with the buying frenzy. Just one more reason to support them

Many IPSC shooters inluding me push the 121 grains 9 mm to 1400 in an Open gun, and they remain accurate. I also use them in .357 and they do not shear their plating. Good stuff.

As for the OP - trying to save a few bullet but waste time- primer and powder on a sub par round — you have cheap and cheeeaap..

 

[CV32]

Best case scenario, they won't stabilize and you'll get keyholes on your target.

 

[Mulletard]

Campros are great. Full house magnum loads out of a 357 lever gun. No stripped plating.

 

[bigedp51]

I would be more concerned with "WHY" the bullets tilted during seating and solve the problem.

The Lyman type "M" expander will prevent the bullets from tilting. The Lyman patent expired and the newer redding dies have the same type expander.
Please note the type "M" expanders are not just for cast bullets. At the Lyman website, it states the expander is for both type bullets.

Below the new Redding, expanders copy the Lyman type "M" expander.

 

[Insanity Required]

I am and was kind of already thinking that i need to flare my cases a little more. I do not have this problem with the .38 i load and i do have a small but noticable flare (plus they are beveled base lead and not square jackets). That should reduce or eliminate the problem in the future. As for the current set i am thinking of tossing them.

 

['Boo]

They are Berry's 9mm 124gr. And would just be for target plinking in one of 2 handguns.

Use them in a sling-shot and just yell "BANG" when you release. Shoot tin cans against a backstop and you should be able to reuse them several times.

 

[B]

My only concern, a minor one really is that the swaged core is pretty much pure lead. No one likes having to scrub lead out.

 

[jimbo14]

My only concern, a minor one really is that the swaged core is pretty much pure lead. No one likes having to scrub lead out.

Not worth the $0.12, is it?

 

[Butcherbill]

Melt them down and recast them

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I would be more concerned with "WHY" the bullets tilted during seating and solve the problem.

The Lyman type "M" expander will prevent the bullets from tilting. The Lyman patent expired and the newer redding dies have the same type expander.
Please note the type "M" expanders are not just for cast bullets. At the Lyman website, it states the expander is for both type bullets.

Below the new Redding, expanders copy the Lyman type "M" expander.

I have and use the 'M' die. It's a wonderful unit.

As to the damaged bullets. The damage at the heel is pretty much guaranteed to tumble the bullets in flight resulting in keyholes. (yes, I've purposely ground away the heel to try it). The best way to restore them would be to push them through a resizing die. Even that would likely not get them into great shape, just make them easy to load.

It's not going to blow up your gun, but unless you are careful, it will cost you wrinkled up wrecked cases when you try to load it. Be sure to check the bore for fouling after each shot. Damaged bullets could leave something behind. Probably not, but best check anyway.