Hey, it’s Bill with Raven Rocks Precision. Today, we’re talking about plated bullets—what they are, how they compare to jacketed and cast lead bullets, and why they might be the right choice for your shooting needs.
Plated bullets are essentially a middle ground between traditional lead cast bullets and full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets. The main advantage is cost—they’re typically more affordable than jacketed bullets. However, they do come with a few limitations. Unlike jacketed bullets, which can handle high velocities without issue, plated bullets often have velocity restrictions. They’re also not always as uniform in shape, which can affect consistency.
That said, plated bullets still offer solid benefits. They feature a copper plating that completely encases the lead core, which helps reduce lead exposure and barrel fouling—making them a good choice for indoor ranges or high-volume shooting. They’re not as tough or resilient as jacketed bullets, but they offer excellent value for general use.
We sell a wide variety of plated bullets. You may already be familiar with brands like Berry’s, and we also carry plated options from Camro and X-Treme Bullets. One standout product is the Camro 220-grain full-plated bullet. What sets it apart is the thick copper plating, which is more robust than many competing brands—allowing for higher velocities. While it won’t perform like a precision 220-grain hollow point boat tail, it’s a fantastic option for subsonic .300 Blackout loads, especially when value matters.
We also carry 100-grain plated bullets from X-Treme, which are popular among 9mm reloaders. At just 4.9 cents each, they’re a great budget-friendly choice, especially compared to jacketed bullets of the same weight, which typically cost several cents more.
Plated bullets aren’t designed to do everything. They’re not ideal for high-velocity or long-range precision shooting, but if your goal is to shoot more often without breaking the bank, they’re perfect. Every bullet has a specific use case, and plated bullets excel at affordable practice and training.
So check out our selection of plated bullets—we’re confident you’ll find something that fits your needs. And stay tuned, because we’ll be adding more plated options to our lineup in the near future.
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