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plating your own bullets

Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,184 ******
Hi guys, I don't visit this forum too often, as you know, but I had a question for you because I'm starting to get more interested in hand loading.

For those of you who cast your own bullets, do any of you copper plate them as well? Does anyone cast into a copper jacket?

Curious how that might work or if hand loaders typically even do this sort of thing. I did a terse search and found nothing on it in this forum.
Some will die in hot pursuit
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain

Comments

  • XXCrossXXCross Member Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    At some point in the last century I got all fired up about copper
    plating some of my cast bullets. Okay, that said...It's do-able,
    is it worth the effort? Questionable! There is a lot of nasty stuff involved if you were to do it "right". (acids, caustic solutions etc.)
    If it isn't done right, (preparation etc)then the copper just strips from the lead. Done right, you gain very little. Maybe some small
    velocity advantage...not much. Your time, your adventure.
  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your best bet would be 'swaging' jacketed bullets.

    Due to the small size and lack of venting, I doubt trying to pour lead into a copper jacket would work.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have been casting lead bullets for 40+ years. Never saw the need to plate them. I also have a C&H swaged out fit for 308, 358, 429 and 452 designed for 1/2 and 1/4 copper jackets. Those bullets shoot fine within the velocity restrictions but terminal performance is meat destroying for a hunters. I haven't used it 20+ years.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,184 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
    I have been casting lead bullets for 40+ years. Never saw the need to plate them. I also have a C&H swaged out fit for 308, 358, 429 and 452 designed for 1/2 and 1/4 copper jackets. Those bullets shoot fine within the velocity restrictions but terminal performance is meat destroying for a hunters. I haven't used it 20+ years.
    Forgive me, but I don't know what a C&H is. What?[?][:)]
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,184 ******
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the input guys.[:)]
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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