FMJ and Plated?

[Timothy Fredericy]

Is there a difference in FMJ and Plated pistol bullets and if so, is the loading data differ? The reason I ask is because I have both and was going to load them both using the same data.

• This topic was modified 2 weeks, 4 days ago by Timothy Fredericy.

[Seth]

Yes, there is a difference.

Plated bullets start as a lead core that is submerged in a chemical bath and electroplated with copper. The copper that attaches to the lead core is very thin. The thin plating is easily damaged if used at high velocities (typically when supersonic) or if crimped too tightly etc. They are usually cheaper than a standard jacketed bullet, however.

Jacketed bullets have a thicker, copper cup made and the lead core is encased in said cup/jacket. It is quite a bit thicker than plated bullets, and can withstand high velocities and is generally more durable and less susceptible to the jacket coming off or being damaged from tight crimps or in the rifling of the barrel. They are more expensive usually when compared to plated.

[Timothy Fredericy]

Thanks for that info. I don’t think I’ll be be even close to high velocities since I load at the lower end because it’s just for plinking paper. I’ve loaded and shot both before with no problems it’s just that I thought of it this time and wondered if I was creating a problem without knowing it.

[Timothy Fredericy]

I tried looking for load data for plated 115g RN 9mm but could find none, all FMJ except for Speer data which has TMJ which these could be. I bought these from RMR back in 2021 so maybe Jacob could shed some light on them?

[JEFFREY B KINNEY]

When using plated bullets it is recommended to use data for cast lead bullets of the same weight.

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