coated vs plain lead bullets

[Chetc]

i have been shooting my 9mm cz 75b sa for the last 2 months, been shooting mainly all the coated brands 124 and 147gr tips. was shooting sunday at 25yds, was getting on the average 4 1/2" groups, so just about ready to call it a day, i had about 100 loaded 9mm ammo from 25yrs ago, they were Penn bullets 124 TCBB plain lead with 4.3 of w231 at an OAL of 1.080 to my surprise i nearly cut the group size in half, was it me ... has anyone experienced this, that the plain lead bullets work better than coated. going to load up some more, the coated load was the 124 BBI TC tip coated bullet with 4.2 of w231, the old loaded ammo had silver primers and i dont recall what brand they were, but lately all i have been using are the Winchester small pistol, i wonder what contributed to the accuracy was it the Penn bullet or the primer.



Chet

 

[CZ9shooter]

No. Coated or plain lead has shown no appreciable difference in accuracy for me and my CZ75. Jacketed bullets, particularly XTP's, always do a little better though.

The main difference I have found is that coated bullets are more tolerant to different variables in regard to leading.

I would bet that other factors, like specific OAL and bullet profile, or even the diameter or powder charge for that given load, are making the differnce.

Every load is unique.

 

[Havok7416]

I've seen no difference in accuracy shooting coated instead of plain lead. I continue to use coated bullets however for their other benefits.

 

[Rule3]

Were the coated, and plain lead loaded with the same exact powder and charge?

Also could be the hardness of the lead or many other variables.

 

[Dudedog]

In lead bullets I have been using bullets from MBC. As far as I can tell there is not a noticable difference in accuracy between coated and non coated in the 9mm, .357 and .45 bullets I have used.
I never had a leading issues, but prefer the coated in an attemp to help reduce my lead exposure. I have had real good luck with RMR plated bullets for not much more than coated. Using those only now when I shoot at the indoor range.

 

[Schwing]

With my own cast bullets, I have done some testing loading both traditionally lubed and with coating loaded to the exact same specifications. As far as I can tell, accuracy is nearly identical. The only difference is how hard I can drive them. The coated can be pushed much harder without leading. If they are not accurate at that speed with traditional lube, however, they won't be accurate coated either.