Some bullet questions...

[gonoles_1980]

Copper plated

FP vs RN - is one better than the other?

Lead
HP, SWC, WC, RN - why pick one over the other. I then to like either the Speer LSWCHP's, I have some extreme RN, but only because they look cool when I use nickel brass.

I haven't used jacketed bullets, they seem expensive for the plunking that the wife and I go do.

 

[Delmar]

what caliber/firearm are you loading for?

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Auto-loader or revolver? Caliber? For plinking only or possible dual purpose ammo?

 

[gonoles_1980]

9mm, 38spl, 357mag. Primarily pinking. I've tried to find a good link, Midway has a good section, as do others explaining the different types. Like for my wife's 9mm, I have both FP and RN, I assume the FP spreads more and is less likely to tumble, but I really don't know.

 

[frankge]

Actually flat points are more so the oal does not exceed the magazine fit and overpressure the load. Think USPSA loading, specifically with a Glock compared to a 2011. 40 is based on a 9mm. FPs won't do any more significant than a RN.

 

[WelshShooter]

I use lead truncated cones in my Marlin 1894C in .357mag because my seating dies made indentations in round nose bullets. Truncated cones solved the problem, plus I think they look nicer (not that it makes a damn difference).

 

[Delmar]

http://acmebullet.com/

Pretty good prices on different styles of lead bullets. They are quick on getting the order out and don't charge a ton for shipping.

For plinking only, I stay with lead bullets. Cheaper and quite accurate, especially with lead semi wadcutters.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

I tend to notice FP is actually more accurate out of my 9mm compared to same brand/weight bullet / powder charge out of same gun. May just be me though...

 

[2bfree]

I use 124 Rn Xtreme in my 9's and 158 RNFP Xtreme's in the 38/357 for the range. Works for me.

 

[Potatohead]

Most would say jacketed are more accurate, and JHP more still, correct me if Im wrong.

 

[moxie]

If all you and your wife are doing is plinking, then lead round nose (RNL or LRN) is probably a good choice. Easy to load and often the cheapest.

 

[2bfree]

I use PD's JRN in my 45 but gone back to Xtreme in 9 mm because of cost. I use the PD's in 45 because I find them a bit more consistent on the oal when loading. I have found the Hp,JRN versus Xtreme plated provide me nothing more, but then again, I'm no take driver.

 

[oldpapps]

Humm...

I don't do copper plated, so I will only babble about bullet shapes.

RN - round nose - Most of these are not truly round but with a rounded end. They feed well in most auto loaders, easier to stuff into a cylinder, that is good. Questionable if they shoot better or worse than other shapes, neutral. Pass in to and out of tissue, leaving less tissue disruption, not good if the bad guy is coming for you. Over all - good practice bullets.

FP - flat point - This is basically a 'round' nose with a flat point, the metaplate. For the most part about the same as the round nose, marginally better in tissue.

HP - hollow point - The same as the flat point only with a hole in the metaplate. All the same as the round nose and flat point except (hopefully) tissue is grabbed and ripped along with the bullet. Getting better as we move down the list.

WC - wad cutter - Does not feed well in most auto loaders, slow to stuff into a cylinder. Cuts nice clean holes in paper for scoring. Grabs clothing and hide as it passes into tissue.

SWC - semi wad cutter - A compromise between the wad cutter and the others. Feeds well in most newer auto loaders, easy to stuff into a cylinder. Grabs clothing and tissue well.

Moving from lead to jacketed, the same apply with the jacketed bullets. The big exception being jacketed bullets can be pushed a lot faster in most cases (don't jump me, I push hard 44s as fast as jacketed 44s). I don't know of any jacketed wad cutters and of the 100s of thousands of those nasty 38 wad cutters I shot as a COP, they all were too soft of lead. Jacketed bullets are not grease, so much less smoke from the burning off of the lube. Look at the new polyester coated bullets, push as fast as jacketed and no lube to smoke/gum up. Or try the plated ones.

If all you are going to do is practice, nice lead SWC or cone shaped bullets will work.

Load with care,

 

[KansasSasquatch]

For 9mm I'd stick with plated bullets. They're more forgiving when it comes to clean loads. FP or RN.... either should work fine for plinking usage. The FP bullets, are they a round nose flat point or a truncated cone? Some brands will list a truncated cone nose as FP's. they work fine but my experience tells me that they often have to be seated deeper into the casing to feed and chamber properly. RNFP bullets usually aren't as sensitive to COL as TC bullets.

For .38spl and .357mag I really like MBC 158gr LSWC "Match" bullets. They may not be the best for full power .357 but they tend to be extremely accurate for me. If you want full power .357 I'd stick with jacketed bullets, 125gr or higher, with a cannelure. You can make full power .357 with lead bullets but it may take more fiddlin' with to get a clean load that shoots well.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Thanks for the inputs. For my wife's 9mm I use the xtreme copper plated RN and FP. I've only used copper plated bullets in her gun. For my 38spl I only use lead bullets, I like the Speer LSWCHP's, not sure why, but when I use nickel cartridges I like using the xtreme lead round nose (they're a silver color), just because they look cool. For my 357, I use the Speer LSWCHP's for the lighter loads, and the xtreme copper plated RN and FP for the heavier load. Seems expensive to use jacketed bullets just for shooting at the range.