nighttrain Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Why coated bullets ? I've been reloading for many years and never seen them. Just recently started shooting uspsa , as I was helping to clean up after the other shooters I noticed a couple guys using coated bullets . Doing a lil research I found the coated to be a lil cheaper ? What other benefits are there of using coated bullets ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrackCage Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Besides the cost element, I also get a little better accuracy and less potential issue with how much crimp I can use when compared to plated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beef15 Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Less smoky and at least slightly less sensitive to fit than lubed lead. Less expensive than jacketed and generally plated as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loudgp Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 price and easier to clean .. less leading in barrel as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 My practice range does not allow jacketed or plated ammo on their steel. And they have lots of steel. For the distances I'm shooting, coated bullets are fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinMS Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 In a recent chrono test I loaded xtreme plated , bbi coated , and blue bullets. All loaded to same length, same charge. Xtreme were an average of 40 fps slower than the bbi, which were slower than the blues at 35 fps . Coated bullets are generally faster, just as accurate, just as clean, and lots cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdude Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/3/7/coated-bullets-the-future-of-lead-bullets-for-handloaders/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Coated bullets have their problems. Many of them are coated with the Australian HiTek coating that really smells when you fire them. Others have a coating that is easily cut when crimping, leading to leading. None can be used continually with a compensator unless you enjoy cleaning crap out of the comp. Many of them are coated hard cast bullets that are already .001" oversized. So now they don't work well in auto bullet feeders. My home club does not allow plated or jacketed on steel. So I use Precision poly coated bullets. They are accurate, don't lead, don't rub off on your hands, and are reasonably priced. Unfortunately, I can't use them in any of my compensated guns. I'm not going to name other names, but the Precisions work much better than the other seven brands I tried. They are more consistent in weight, and more accurate. If I had my druthers, I'd shoot good plated (Rainier) or JHPs for everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 9 hours ago, nighttrain said: What other benefits are there of using coated bullets ? Almost as cheap as bare cast lead. Almost as clean as jacketed. If you’re shooting minor, there’s no reason not to run them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furrly Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Best Bang for the buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) They don't lead, cost half of that of jackets, and are just dang near as accurate, especially Minor. They will run in an Open gun, but sploog up the comp. I switched years ago after my blood lead got up to 28 from moly coated. Went to Bayous and it dropped to 8 in just a few months. 6 is normal for guys running FMJs, shooting the same amount as I do, because there is still lead in the primer (lead styphnate) Edited January 30, 2018 by 9x45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124gr9mm Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 What do you use for load data? None of the manuals I use have info for coated bullets. Also, does the coating eventually attach itself to the barrel so you have to really scrub/dig to get it clean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrackCage Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Use data for uncoated lead. No, coating does not stick to barrels as long as projectile is correct diameter for your barrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ85Combat Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 I use Blue Bullets in my CZ SP01 Shadow with 125gn bullet, 3.8gn N320 @ 1.115. 20,000 + no leading, no smoke. I also use the Blue Bullets in my CZ Czechmate open gun. 125gn Bule Bullet 7.1gn N350 @ 1.155 in 8,000 rounds I have cleaned the comp 4 times. Coated bullets do not work well in open guns that have popple holes in the barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipdynamite Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 I switched to ACME just recently. They were the best deal I could find of all the coated ones. I've gone through about 3000 without any problems. More accurate? I haven't noticed a discernible difference. They don't pull out easily in my RCBS bullet puller. Only about half the the time and it puts a bite ring around the whole circumference. I would say that's my only downside. Copper plated pop right out and are still in perfect condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester121 Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Sounds like too much crimp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124gr9mm Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floater Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Why not! Cost, as clean, less powder (back to cost), for me accuracy has better then plated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 I use the original Hi-Tek coated bullets by Bayou Bullets. Less smoke, faster, leaves barrel cleaner, no leading, cheaper than Plated or Jacketed, accurate with right powder and OAL, Crimp 9mm at .3785. The 120 TCG with 3.8gr of T.G. at 1.060 avg 1.05" 5-shot avg from my ransom rest in my DVC 9mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razorfish Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 You use 10-15% less powder to push a Hi-Tek bullet at the same velocity as an FMJ bullet. Not only do you save on powder but you should also see less barrel wear due to lower temperatures and less heat. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschweg Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 No one has mentioned the obvious ballistic advantage of coming in lots of cool colors.Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinMS Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 ? that's what the secret is. I knew it wasn't my shooting, but now all I need is a different color bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floater Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) I thought it was common knowledge that steel pulls coated lead towards it. Edited February 19, 2018 by floater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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