9mm Subsonic bullets, FMJ or plated?

[1911pilot]

Hey Guys, Long time no post.

I'm just getting back into reloading and I'm wanting to load up some nice Subsonics for my Evo9. Whats the deal with plated bullets, will they be silencer safe or do I need to stick to old school jackets for this.
Thanks!

[srt-4_uk]

Most plated bullets have thinner jackets so they can't be pushed as fast. Since you are planning subsonic, they will be perfectly fine.

[1911pilot]

So no problems with shedding jackets?

Anyone have some pet loads?

I'm aiming for special K on this, the cleaner the better. I understand they use Vhit powder.

[chrismartin]

I have never had a jacket issue with plated bullets, EXCEPT when I didn't bell the case mouth enough and the plating was wrinkling during the seating stage. Personally, I stopped buying plated when the costs went up to match jacketed bullets. There isn't a good reason to buy them now from a cost perspective.

[Snake-eater 1]

I agree, the cost differential between quality plated and FMJ is so little these days, I buy FMJ so I don't have to worry about cracking the plate on marginally cheaper bullets. Non-quality plated bullets aren't worth buying for any reason.

[1911pilot]

Bummer, all I can seem to find are Berrys and Rainer 147 grain bullets. Nobody seems to have FMJs around.

[1911pilot]

Nevermind, Just figured it out... Got some MGs on the way. Thanks guys!!

[Wahoo95]

Check with Precision Delta for FMJ.....they make great bullets. You'll just have to order them in advance but they are worth the wait for the price.

[saltydecimator]

just launched some 124gr plated HPs at about 900 fps. freaking quiet!!! if anyone knows whats up with me, i have been bitching bout the un-quietness of the evo 9 i have. with fctory ammo... with these relaods (my first ever) i am very pleased with the results!!!

anyone interested, this is what i used:

4.0 gr of hodgdon hp 38
124 gr rainerier plated hollow points from midway
seated to a OAL of about 1.100 to 1.119 (ionly loaded 3 bullets. they varied in length by those numbers)

rainer said to load those to a OAL of 1.12o, so i was close enough. with no crimp..

[Wahoo95]

just launched some 124gr plated HPs at about 900 fps. freaking quiet!!! if anyone knows whats up with me, i have been bitching bout the un-quietness of the evo 9 i have. with fctory ammo... with these relaods (my first ever) i am very pleased with the results!!!

anyone interested, this is what i used:

4.0 gr of hodgdon hp 38
124 gr rainerier plated hollow points from midway
seated to a OAL of about 1.100 to 1.119 (ionly loaded 3 bullets. they varied in length by those numbers)

rainer said to load those to a OAL of 1.12o, so i was close enough. with no crimp..

What factory ammo were you using before?

[1911pilot]

I"ve always been really happy with special K. I've even been fairly happy with Winchester and American 147gr factory loads. (I think, its been awhile since I've just been using Special K)

I think I'll be giving Precision Delta a try next, It came down to them and Montana Gold last night and I didn't feel like printing out the Precision delta form and faxing it in... I"ll be doing it next time though as I kinda like the TC bullets and they are a bit cheaper than MG.

[chrismartin]

I"ve always been really happy with special K. I've even been fairly happy with Winchester and American 147gr factory loads. (I think, its been awhile since I've just been using Special K)

I think I'll be giving Precision Delta a try next, It came down to them and Montana Gold last night and I didn't feel like printing out the Precision delta form and faxing it in... I"ll be doing it next time though as I kinda like the TC bullets and they are a bit cheaper than MG.

Form? I just ordered PD bullets today. No form, nothing, just a simple online order. I didn't even see a form online at all.
Do you have a link to it?

Also, MG bullets are brass jacket, IIRC, not copper. For whatever it's worth.

ETA: Found it in the shopping cart. Only needed if you are buying loaded ammo, not bullets.

[mg81]

I have had plated bullets loss their jackets in a fast twist 44 mag barrel. Made my suppressor sound like a maraca.

I am sure they work well in many guns without a fast twist barrel and/or with slower powder or lower fps. The accuracy is pure s--t when the jackets separate, no surprise about that.

I would agree with the others though, I don't think the price split justify it if the only reason you are using plated is economic. (I had thought they might give better expansion at low speed though, never bothered to investigate.)

[1911pilot]

ETA: Found it in the shopping cart. Only needed if you are buying loaded ammo, not bullets.

Crap, I see that now, I'll get some of these next time, After I run through 3k of the MG...
Guess I should have read it a bit better...

[Obin Robinson]

Hey Guys, Long time no post.

I'm just getting back into reloading and I'm wanting to load up some nice Subsonics for my Evo9. Whats the deal with plated bullets, will they be silencer safe or do I need to stick to old school jackets for this.
Thanks!

Just want to add that over 6,000 suppressed rounds have been shot through my two different 9mm suppressors. I use Berrys 147 grain plated bullets and haven't encountered a single issue so far. I went 1,000 rounds between cleaning my Tibbetts Camp 9 and it wasn't too much of a chore to clean. I use HP38/Win231 and WST powders.

As far as accuracy goes the Camp 9 will cut ragged groups at 25 yards using red dot or open sights. The Beretta will shoot bullseyes as well. using the Berrys Bullets.

obin