ParaGunner Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Anyone else notice a decrease in accuracy when going from fmj to plated bullets? I shoot a 1911 and when I was shooting fmj I could easily keep 5 shots in less than a 1.5" group. Now with plated I can get 3 shots in a 2.5" group with the other 2 shots being fliers and opening the group up to 4-5". This is a 25yrds. Anyone else have this experience with plated bullets? I think I'm going to pay the extra 3 cents per bullet and order fmj next time I order bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOF Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I don't shoot .45 much any more, but the Xtreme 225 grain FP is the most accurate bullet (including premium factory loads) that I have ever put through my M&P .45. In my 9mms Xtreme plated bullets are as accurate as any other, and more so then most... 1.5 inch 25 yard from my latest M&P 9mm. I don't see an issue with quality plated bullets. But, not all plated bullets are "created equal". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noylj Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 (edited) Been my experience back when I tried some plated bullets (.45, 9mm, .38). Never went back for more. The best plated bullets I have tried were simply OK. Of course, I also find that JHP and L-SWCs are more accurate than FMJ-RN. Try Powder Valley for Zero bullets or check out Precision Delta. Edited August 26, 2015 by noylj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 I've ran Extreme plated bullets and bullet works plated bullets with the same results. Lost accuracy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 Been my experience back when I tried some plated bullets (.45, 9mm, .38). Never went back for more. The best plated bullets I have tried were simply OK. Of course, I also find that JHP and L-SWCs are more accurate than FMJ-RN. Try Powder Valley for Zero bullets or check out Precision Delta. Yep, I think I'm going back to the Zero 200grn fmj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougM Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I also have found plated bullets were accurate - at least, the Xtreme bullets are in my Springfield RO. I also use plated in my M&P40FS and have no complaints on their accuracy. Be sure you aren't over-crimping them since they are very sensitive to crimp. Much more so than JHPs or FMJs. The plating is thin and easily damaged. You only need enough crimp to take out the bell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accu9 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Too much crimp is the #1 cause of accuracy issues with plated bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdrr72 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I use nothing but lead or lead coated for USPSA, but I use Ranier 180g plated for GSSF in my G22. I have had nothing but good results with Ranier bullets. I have two Civilian class wins with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IATURNKEY Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Zeros are a top notch product and you may have to look at turning down your load or switching powders if you want to shoot a plated bullet. For my 1911's I have had the best results with a quality cast bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 Too much crimp is the #1 cause of accuracy issues with plated bullets. running crimp at .421 pulled several bullets and had no signs of over crimping on the bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reshoot Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I have only tried 2 brands. Berry's and Rainers. Neither would give me groups that Montana Gold's do. And, buying in large quantities the cost is very little more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Nick Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Rainier 135's are as accurate as any jacketed bullet in my Gold Team, but watch the crimp. Edited August 30, 2015 by Big Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 If you pull your bullet and don't even see a ring where the crimp was, then you definitely aren't over crimping. Going from 1.5" to 2.5" at 25 yards is still acceptable in my eyes. I usually have more variation than that from a good day to a bad day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balakay Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I am done with plated bullets. Hi-Tek coated lead for practice, jacketed for matches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfalcon00 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I really like my plated bullets from xtreme, but then again I don't shoot matches like alot of guys on here do. I can load a plated round that outperforms any factory stuff which I shot for years well enough. That is plenty accurate enough for me better than I can run the sidearm really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mach1soldier Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I found all my plated bullets liked being much closer to the lands. Added .040 in length, (2011 / 1911) and accuracy improved to 1 inch groups at 20 yards. That was my experience. FMJ / HP or Moly are known much more for their accuracy but plated seems to work just fine for USPSA (for me anyways). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ano Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I can shoot 8 in the same large-ish hole from benchrest, 25 yards, les baer ultimate master 6, 200gr frontier plated. That gun seems to be a laser with anything it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike4045 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 They are very crimp sensitive. I don't care to watch the crimp. so I just use Zero for jacketed and Bayou for coated. No issues with them. Having one less thing to worry about is really nice. The cost savings is not worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalTeacher Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I have found that the standard 180gr offerings from Extreme won't even group past 12-15 yards. They look like a shot pattern at 25. The heavy plate concave base 180s, however, work great in my STIs even out to 35 yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastshooter03 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 sometimes plated bullets don't work well will barrels that have tall lands that can cut through the plating. test your stuff by shooting a very close paper target and look for lead "tails" on the bullet holes. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper046 Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 I run Berry's plated in my Glocks and STI. at 1.135" OAL, 180gr FP, over 4.5gr UNIQUE they are accurate. In my STI I can get 1 - 1.5" at 18 yards (max range indoors). Interestingly, during the bullet crunch I bought some AIM projectiles plated heads from Target Barn. They looked like absolute GARBAGE...alot of black spots all over them! I read that the molds they use have alot of oil residue on them and that causes the spotting when they are plated...UGLY...BUT...ACCURATE AS ALL GET OUT! Same load as my Berry's and I shot 5 rounds at 18 yds under an inch off a rest!...since then I've consistently had 1 - 2" groups at distance shooting freestyle two-handed.... For match ammo...ZERO heads all the way....best I've found...MONTANA GOLD's are my second best match ammo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aric Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 (edited) I had a problem with tumbling plated bullets in AET barrels. Poly coated lead or jacketed for me. Edited October 26, 2015 by Aric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I'm using xtreme hollow point which are heavy plated in my STI GrandMaster 9mm open gun and they work really well. Not as good as JHPs but for 7 cents (on sale) each I bought 4,000. Load them just like the JHPs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furrly Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 plated, no good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 On 8/30/2015 at 8:29 AM, b1gcountry said: Going from 1.5" to 2.5" at 25 yards is acceptable. I have more variation from a good day to a bad day. Have to agree. I've fired 1.5" groups one day, and 2.5" groups another day, with the same gun and batch of ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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