Various plated vs coated vs jacketed projectiles vs $ - 'bang

[tbrtt1]

+1 on Bayou. Bbl and other use the same coating. IMHO for the price it's hard to beat these new coated bullets. Accurate, clean and no leading in my G34 and priced right. Donnie with Bayou is responsive and quick. I hear equally good things about the black and blue bullet guys too. Give em a try.

[tbrtt1]

+1 on Bayou. Bbl and other use the same coating. IMHO for the price it's hard to beat these new coated bullets. Accurate, clean and no leading in my G34 and priced right. Donnie with Bayou is responsive and quick. I hear equally good things about the black and blue bullet guys too. Give em a try.

[BeerBaron]

do you guys get frontier bullets in the US? they are south african made and I've found them to be very decent. http://www.frontierbullets.co.za/

I use their CMJ's in 124gn and 135gn in my 9mm's and 38super. nice projectile and in australia prices compare well with other CMJ's and not much more $$ than the hi-tek coated projies (which are also excellent).

[jbearden]

+1 on the BBI. I used to shoot Zero & MG, but decided to give Black Bullets International a try a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. Chandler is making a great product and has unbeatable service....I ordered a case of 125 9mm. Wed morning, and they showed up on my front porch today! (2 days).

[idcastandblast]

Tons of guys around here use Xtremes, but then again, I am partial ;-)

[parisite]

I shoot nothing but commercial hard cast lead, mail order bullets. I am well pleased with their performance.

I don't mind a little smoke at all. It tends to raise terstosterone levels and ward off evil spirits.

[rtp]

I updated my notes a bit, so dumping them in here..need to make a 'smart spreadsheet' one of these days.

On the coated Hi-Tek bullets, BBI currently comes out as the cheapest when buying in case quantity shipped price per round, but SNS and Bayou are pretty close..close enough to really make it a case of whichever you prefer if looking for Hi-Tek coated, but note the various qty prices.

Most numbers below are shipped, although I can't confirm shipped prices from Bayou for 1k lots, nor Powder Valley for Berry's.

Generally, I don't consider buying any projectiles worthwhile in lots of less than 1k size. Montana Gold really doesn't seem to want you to buy them in 1k lots, going by their pricing.

If looking for 'only' 500-1k, the bolded best deals may not apply - even if a vendor/mfgr is a best deal by the case, their lower qty pricing may be beat elsewhere in some cases.

Other Discounts, Mixed cases

SNS has an additional 5% discount for purchasing 5k, or 10% discount at 10k. http://www.snscastin...lume-discounts/

They also allow purchasing 'mixed cases,' as does BBI as well.

If I've missed other discounts from other vendors, please let me know and will update.

Looks like I'm going to add a case of BBI 125gr to my next bullet order and give them a try..(sample packs are just goofy to pay shipping on at 20c/each IMO; I'd rather buy 1k or a case, and sell it off if it's not for me). I already have some SNS 125gr on hand waiting to load.

'Best deals' called out are based on my own criteria but are generally by cost per round (shipped). Each of those mentioned in 'best deals' is bolded in the detailed listings. YMMV as always; I don't need bullseyes @50 yards, but clean, reasonably accurate and consistent. To the best of my knowledge, all bullets listed are of 'good enough for most of us'/decent quality, but feedback always welcome.

I didn't include Rainier here as let's face it, with pricing over 10c/ea for 1k 115gr(Midway), why bother vs jacketed? You can't buy them direct, and their listed US distributors (Midway, Cabelas, Natchez) aren't generally 'best prices anywhere. At 10c/rd, a case of jacketed MG, Zeros, PDs or any of the plated or coated options just come out looking even better, IMO.

9mm: (updated 3/1/14)

JACKETED:

BEST DEALS:

115gr: case of 4k MG FMJ(9.2c/rd), 4k PD 115gr FMJ(9.3c), or case of MG CMJ (9.5c)..unless buying 10K or more

124gr FMJ/CMJ: case of MG JHP and 4k PD 124gr FMJ tied at 9.8c each

124gr JHP: case of MG 124gr JHP for 9.8c/rd, followed by 4k PD 124gr JHP for 9.9c/rd

147gr: 2k+ Zero 147gr FMJ@10c/rd for FMJ, 11c/rd for JHP

Montana Gold

.355 Jacketed bullets, shipping included

Stupid expensive in other than case purchases

115gr FMJ(exposed base): $368/4000 (9.2c/rd shipped)

115gr CMJ or JHP: $380/4000 (9.5c/rd shipped)

121gr IFP: $365/3800 (9.6c/rd shipped)

124gr FMJ: $365/3750 (9.7c/rd shipped)

124gr JHP: $368/3750 (9.8c/rd shipped)

147gr - no case prices listed at time of checking

Precision Delta

.355 jacketed, shipping included, some add'l discounts buying 6+ cases

115gr FMJ 110/k(11c/rd), 93/k for 4k, 90/k for 10k(9c/rd)

124gr FMJ 114/k(11.4c/rd), 98/k for 4k, 94/k for 10k(9.4c/rd)

124gr JHP 120/k(12c/rd), 99/k for 4k, 95/k for 10k(9.5c/rd)

147gr FMJ or FMJ-TC 124/k, 116/k for 4k(11.6c/rd), 111/k for 10k(11.1c/rd)

Zeros (Powder Valley)

.355 jacketed, bought in lots of 500 or more. SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED, add ~1c/rd to cost for shipping

115gr FMJ 104/k

124gr FMJ 114/k

147gr FMJ 114/k

147gr JHP 114/k

Zeros (Roze)

.355 jacketed, bought in lots of 500 or more. shipping INCLUDED

115gr FMJ 101.40/k(10.1c/rd), 96.70/k for 2-10k(9.7c/rd)

115gr JHP 106/k(10.6c/rd), 101.50/k for 2-10k(10.2c/rd)

124gr FMJ 110.60/k(11c/rd), 105.85/k for 2-10k(10.6c/rd)

125gr JHP 114/k(11.4c/rd), 109.25/k for 2-10k(10.9c/rd)

147gr FMJ 105.35/k(10.5c/rd), 100.65/k for 2-10k(10c/rd)

147gr JHP 109.60/k(11c/rd), no bulk discounts listed

HI-TEK COATED:

BEST DEALS:

115gr: BBI 115gr RN case of 3500 for $252 - 6.6c/rd shipped, followed by 5k SNS (6.9c/rd), 4k SNS(7c/ea), then Bayou case of 3500(7.2c/ea)

124/5gr: BBI 125gr RN case of 3500 for $245 - 7c/rd shipped, tied w/SNS 5k for 7c/rd shipped, followed by near tie with Bayou case of 3500 for $252/7.2c ea, and SNS 3k for 7.3c/ea shipped

135gr: BBI Case of 3300 for $245 - 7.4c/rd shipped, then Bayou case of 3300 for $251/7.6c/rd shipped

147gr: BBI case of 3k for $235 shipped - 7.8c/ea shipped, then Bayou case of 3k for $241/8c/rd shipped

Bayou

Hi-Tek coating, but still w/lube groove, .356

Case price includes shipping

115gr RN: 68/k + ship(?), or $252/3500 (7.2c/rd shipped)

125gr RN: 70/k + ship(?), or $252/3500 (7.2c/rd shipped)

135gr RN: 74/k + ship(?), or $251/3300 (7.6c/rd shipped)

147gr FP: 78/k + ship(?), or $241/3k (8c/rd shipped)

BBI

Hi-Tek coating, NO lube groove, .356, black, can do custom sizing

115gr RN: 75/k shipped(7.5c/rd), $250/3800 (6.6c/rd shipped)

125gr RN: 82/k shipped(8.2c/rd), $245/3500 (7c/rd shipped)

135gr RN: 85/k shipped(8.5c/rd), $245/3300 (7.4c/rd shipped)

147gr FP: 89/k shipped(8.9c/rd), $235/3000 (7.8c/rd shipped)

SNS

Hi-Tek coating, no lube groove on new 125gr, .356, gold coating, SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED

Shipping info updated with owner feedback. They can get 500 230 grain bullets or 1,000 130 grain bullets in the small box for 8.45, otherwise it's all weight based on a 15$ per 70lbs basis. Owner will take calls to also 'fill up to maximum amount at N lbs' e.g. to get 69# 12oz of projectiles to stay under the >70# shipping jump if desired.

There is also a 5% price break at 5k, and 10% at 10k; current numbers posted do not reflect this. http://www.snscastin...lume-discounts/

Assuming purchase of 1k or 3-4k total for shipping included costs, adjust per above if needed.

115gr RN 66/k, 7.44c/rd for 1k shipped, 6.98c/rd for 4k shipped, 6.9c/rd for 5k shipped

125gr RN (no lube groove) 68/k, 7.64c/rd for 1k shipped, 7.3c/rd for 3k shipped, 7c/rd for 5k shipped

147gr FP 76/k (unable to price shipping at time of pricing, OOS/can't add to cart)

PLATED:

BEST DEALS: (short of 10k+ on single purchase)

115gr: RMR RN seconds@7.7c ea shipped, RMR seconds 4k@7.5c rd, Xtreme 115gr RN for 8.4c/rd

124gr RN: RMR RN seconds@7.5-7.7c/ea, Xtreme RN 8.6c/ea, RMR RN 8.7c/ea shipped

124gr HP: XTreme 8.8c/ea shipped

147gr: Xtreme 147gr RN@9.3c/ea shipped

NOTE: Xtreme runs occasional 5-10% off deals, deduct from above non-sale prices

Berries (direct)

.356 plated, free ship > $75

HBRN-TP = Hollow base, RN, thick plated, ~ up to 1500FPS

115gr RN 89.55/k(9c/rd)

115gr HBRN-TP 94.66/k(9.5c/rd)

124gr RN 93.45/k(9.3c/rd)

124gr HBFP-TP 103.11/k(10.3c/rd)

147gr RN 107.28/k(10.7c/rd)

Berries (Powder Valley)

.356 plated, SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED (assume min of $10 shipping, likely 15, so add 1-1.5c/rd)

HBRN-TP = Hollow base, RN, thick plated

115gr RN 75.24/k + SHIPPING

115gr HBRN-TP 79.90/k + SHIPPING

124gr RN 78.72/k + SHIPPING

124gr HBFP-TP 78.84/k + SHIPPING

147gr RN 91.80/k + SHIPPING

RMR

plated, suspect same bullets as Xtremes, shipping included

115gr RN Not listed at time checked

115gr RN SECONDS 77/k(7.7c/rd), 300/4k(7.5c/rd), 1440/20k(7.2c/rd)

115gr HP 95/k(9.5c/rd), 364/4k(9.1c/rd), 1740/20k(8.7c/rd)

124gr RN 87/k(8.7c/rd)

124gr RN SECONDS 77/k(7.7c/rd), 225/3k(7.5c/rd), 1512/21k(7.2c/rd)

124gr HP 97/k(9.7c/rd), 282/3k(9.4c/rd), 1869/21k(8.9c/rd)

147gr RN 105/k(10.5c/rd), 950/10k(9.5c/rd)

Xtreme

thick plated, expected same mfgr as RMR. Shipping included. Bought in lots of 500. Vets 3% discount, occasional 5% or 10% off deals

115gr RN 84.44/k(8.4c/rd)

115gr RNCB 92.34/k(9.2c/rd)

115gr HP 106.40/1k(10.6c/rd)

124gr RN 85.54/k(8.6c/rd)

124gr RNCB 95.48/k(9.5c/rd)

124gr HP 87.50/k(8.8c/rd)

147gr RN 92.54/k(9.3c/rd)

147gr RNCB 102.46/k(10.2c/rd)

Edited March 3, 2014 by rtp

[Steve RA]

Or this 125 BBI - 125gr CN profile, no crimp or lube groove.

http://shop.blackbulletsinternational.com/9-125gr-3500-9-125-3500QTY.htm?categoryId=1

[SNSCaster2]

Awesome work rtp! Our shipping system is set up by weight. We can get 500 230 grain bullets or 1,000 130 grain bullets in the small box for 8.45. Otherwise it's all weight based on a 15$ per 70lbs basis.

The info in this thread is excellent, just a thing or two to consider with SNS. Volume discounts and mix/match pricing.

If you get together with some friends or you just order in bulk, you can get the discount of 5% or 10%(5,000 / 10,000 bullets of any combination respectively) that will make a solid difference in price. I take calls on a near daily basis of people just wanting me to "Fill er up" to the 70lb limit.. Not a problem! I'll simply put it on the scale and charge for exactly how many bullets will fit right up to 69 lbs 12oz(just to be safe )

I'm not positive but I think SNS is also a bit more competitive for the reloader who wants to mix/match different bullets, say 500 of 4 or 5 different bullets... Just one more thing to consider when gathering prices!!!!!!!!!

Again, great work on this thread! Thanks for the info.

[cslafrain]

I am pretty sure that most if not all of the coated bullet companies offer both volume and mix/match pricing. BBI offers a mixed case directly on the website. They are all good companies trying to service the shooting community with great products and service.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[rtp]

Awesome work rtp! Our shipping system is set up by weight. We can get 500 230 grain bullets or 1,000 130 grain bullets in the small box for 8.45. Otherwise it's all weight based on a 15$ per 70lbs basis.

The info in this thread is excellent, just a thing or two to consider with SNS. Volume discounts and mix/match pricing.

If you get together with some friends or you just order in bulk, you can get the discount of 5% or 10%(5,000 / 10,000 bullets of any combination respectively) that will make a solid difference in price. I take calls on a near daily basis of people just wanting me to "Fill er up" to the 70lb limit.. Not a problem! I'll simply put it on the scale and charge for exactly how many bullets will fit right up to 69 lbs 12oz(just to be safe )

I'm not positive but I think SNS is also a bit more competitive for the reloader who wants to mix/match different bullets, say 500 of 4 or 5 different bullets... Just one more thing to consider when gathering prices!!!!!!!!!

Again, great work on this thread! Thanks for the info.

Thanks - I had initially assumed your shipping was based on 'how much can fit in N flat rate boxes' but it became obvious that wasn't the case looking across different projectile combinations and quantities.

I"ll update the shipping notes for SNS. I did see the mix-n-match but was too burned out at the moment to even try to work out cost per round shipped on a mixed order..

I don't think I saw the discounts on the site; will add a note there as well. I think a 5k order is in the realm of reasonable-ness for many of us on BE, although at least for me, once we're at much beyond 10k, I'm probably looking for someone to go in with.

If I've missed discounts elsewhere someone's aware of, please let me know.

This thread isn't intended so much to be a 'find the best perfect bullet' as much as outlining some quality bullets out there at various price points, and what price breaks/quantities make the most sense to buy, especially as we're not seeing much savings to be had in powder and primer purchases nowadays..

[rtp]

Updated big post w/SNS comments on shipping.

Haven't seen how to apply the bulk discount as of yet, but weight is provided for all bullets, so helps work out the 70#, 140# etc breakdown easier than changing quantities in shipping during checkout..in other words, 1k of 125gr coated RN are 18#, so you can buy 7# to stick at the < 140# shipping rate of $30, or call SNS to have them 'fill it to 69.9#' as desired.

[rtp]

I am pretty sure that most if not all of the coated bullet companies offer both volume and mix/match pricing. BBI offers a mixed case directly on the website. They are all good companies trying to service the shooting community with great products and service.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Agreed. The thread isn't intended to point to a single 'best bullet at best price,' but to give us all a list of options from mfgrs with a good reputation for quality, and to let people decide which quantities may make the most sense for them. I'm not overly concerned on a price difference of 1-2 tenths of a cent/ea we see across most of the coated bullets, but the list does help me w/planning out my purchases and options, while it may help others out as well.

[JLeeCZ]

Just ordered my first coated bullet from SNS. Like the no bands or lube groove look. New to reloading and have only used Xtreme plated so far, although I do have some Prec Delta FMJ's in my inventory. Bought 500 of the "new" 125gr 9mm coated since I have never used a coated bullet before. Sure I will like them and order more. If all goes as I hope, probably will replace plated with coated.

Edited March 2, 2014 by JLeeCZ

[SNSCaster2]

I am pretty sure that most if not all of the coated bullet companies offer both volume and mix/match pricing. BBI offers a mixed case directly on the website. They are all good companies trying to service the shooting community with great products and service.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Yes, everybody offers mix/match pricing and volume discounts.. but not at the same price and with different policies through online stores. And since this topic deals with such, I thought it would be relevant information.

[LikesToShoot]

Right now I'm working on 147 gr 9mm loads using S&S, BBI and Bayou Bullets with the powders I have on hand. To me, the available powders are a major consideration. SnS, Chandler and Donnie are all great to deal with so that's really hard call to decide where to spend my money.

When I have time I'll UL picks of my testing.

[kneelingatlas]

Extreme offers distributer pricing at 25k+ which saves you a lot of money

You'd be surprised how quickly you get over that threshold once you start talking group buy around the guys!

Edited March 3, 2014 by kneelingatlas

[rtp]

Extreme offers distributer pricing at 25k+ which saves you a lot of money

You'd be surprised how quickly you get over that threshold once you start talking group buy around the guys!

I have looked into this, with no reply back from Xtreme to date on the discount. Someone else did get a response, and I believe did a bulk purchase, but the shipping isn't included - depending on where you live, he said waiting for a 5-10% off sale and free shipping may actually be the better deal, or the same as the bulk discount.

edit- Chatted back and forth with kneelingatlas, and he did indeed get a great deal at 100k+ quantity. It's possible the shipping (e.g. coast to coast vs same/nearby state) may make or break it, but may be worth checking out.

Edited March 5, 2014 by rtp

[njl]

You seem to have omitted Precision Bullets(not PD) from consideration. At case pricing, their 9mm are:

115gr 6.85c/rd

125gr 7.14c/rd

147gr 7.80c/rd

I think their coating may be somewhat more prone to smoking than the HiTek coating, but I bought a bunch before HiTek really caught on, and I've had no complaints with them (shooting in Glocks...mostly the .45 200gr RNF). Accuracy is great and the only fouling I've noticed is the usual powder/carbon fouling.

[rtp]

You seem to have omitted Precision Bullets(not PD) from consideration. At case pricing, their 9mm are:

115gr 6.85c/rd

125gr 7.14c/rd

147gr 7.80c/rd

I think their coating may be somewhat more prone to smoking than the HiTek coating, but I bought a bunch before HiTek really caught on, and I've had no complaints with them (shooting in Glocks...mostly the .45 200gr RNF). Accuracy is great and the only fouling I've noticed is the usual powder/carbon fouling.

I focused on jacketed, plated, and Hi-Tek as known quantities/qualities. Going to seek out every mfgr with various moly coatings would add quite a few others into the list.

I haven't used various other coatings, but my current impression is the Hi-Tek coating outperforms the various moly and similar other coatings.

When you can get various Hi-Tek coated in case (+/-, 3-5k) qty for 7-7.3c/rd for 124gr, is it worth looking elsewhere, except as a backup? If so, please educate me, as there well may be some exceptions.

[deerassassin22]

I love BBI Bullets been shooting them in my Open Gun and run like a champ I use less powder also which is outstanding. I use them in all my guns 9mm, 40cal, 45 ACP and if Chandler ever makes them in 44Mag/Special I would shoot them. The coating has no negative affects of the Comp or lens of your C-More I clean mine with Bausch and Lomb wipes every stage or 50 practice rounds with jacketed or lead bullets so no issues. A few guys at my club shoot them in open as well and we have been for about 3 months with ZERO issues. Give them a shot open guys way cheaper then Jacketed bullets. I can actually afford to shoot 3 or 4 times a week.

Also I'm not sponsored or given a discount to say great things

Edited March 9, 2014 by deerassassin22

[rtp]

Got some SNS 'new' 125gr, BBI 125gr 'RNFP' (not sure what they call 'em, but they're more or less rounded off flat points), and some Xtreme 124gr RN + HPs loaded up for testing next weekend.

I'm coming up 'short' in that with my current gun (Walther PPQ), it has a short chamber similar to the CZ75 Max. OALs, so am having to load the BBI RNFP, Xtreme HP, as well as the SNS 'new' 125gr RN fairly short, at ~1.085" for all 3 (+/- .005, one at 1.08, another at 1.09, etc.).

I like the card label BBI tapes onto their boxes, just wish they didn't tape the card across the seam - I dump a supply into a big Akro-bin, and would love to just drop the card in on top, but the amount of tape + knife-work involved says 'no chance!'

Edited March 30, 2014 by rtp

[cslafrain]

We just changed to a new box this week that we designed. It is custom sized to fit 4 to a case and has a solid fold-over top. The boxes are made of a premium 200# mutten board. They are extremely durable and now reusable.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[hehunts]

Thanks rtp...very informative thread

[Garmil]

How does the blue bullets coating compare to hitek? They are very affordable.

243.20 shipped for 3600 count 125gr for example.