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All of my loads so far have been with FMJs (aside from a 50 round experiment with .45 185gr LSWC which my 1911 HATED). I have worked up some sweet and accurate loads for 9mm and .45 with Montana Gold and Zero, but since I'm ready to ramp up production into .380, .308 and .223, I need to spread my budget out over the greater variety of components.

I have avoided lead so far simply because its icky and smoky and dirty. Intellectually, I know I will almost have to go to lead eventually for pistol, but I'm fighting it irrationally. My last order from Powder Valley was kind of a wakeup call, though - $57/500 124gr Zero FMJs - so it might come sooner rather than later. The prices at Missouri Bullet Company are getting very attractive, too - $32/500 for 124gr LRN.

With that in mind, do plated bullets work well as a "compromise" between lead and jacketed? While I don't mind tinkering, the fact that some manuals treat plated as lead while others treat them as jacketed is a bit off-putting to me. Is plated a logical step between jacketed and lead, or should I just man up and switch over?

For pistol reloads all I use are plated and lead (mostly plated in semi s). Have loaded and fired thousands of Berry's on 9mm 115 &124, .40 in 165 & 180, and ,45 in 200. As long as you keep velocities somewhat moderate, should be no issue. Think my last order from PV for 115gr 9mm was about $71/1,000. Don't even want to say what I pay for 9mm 122gr LSWC, I get the special friends and family price.

I reload plated the same as FMJ in all my pistol calibres and still have all my fingers.

The smoking also depends on the powder you use. Titegroup will smoke a lot with lead. I started using Winchester Super Target for my 45 (at the recommendations of several of my friends) and it smokes a lot less. Another good option is to use Bayou Bullets. They are cast bullets with a green coating for lubrication. They smoke a lot less and the price falls out between cast and plated. Lots of IDPA match shooters in our area have switched to them for the cost/accuracy. You can google them up and buy the bullets direct online.

Plated and coated bullets are a very good alternative to jacketed or lead. As long as you stay within the velocity guidelines the manufacturer recommends you will do great. I shoot Glocks in 9mm so I don't use traditional lead bullets in them. The plated bullets are great Berry's, Rainier, and X-Treme, as are the coated bullets, Bayou and, Precision. The price of any of these bullets is less than traditional fMj bullets and often less than hard cast bullets. The only way to lower the price per bullet is to cast your own. I have used all of the bullets listed except X-Treme and I can recommend them to any one wanting a good bullet.

The lube used will contribute to smoke the higher percentage of waxes in the lube the greater the smoke. Remember it's called "Smoke LESS" not smoke free powder

I have reloaded lead bullets virtually exclusively for years. 98% of what I shoot are lead bullets. Not sure why someone would be reluctant.

Thanks for all the hints, tips and encouragement. As I said, there is no rational reason for me to not shoot lead, I just...well, it is something new (to me), so I just have some mental barrier. And looking at AndyC's numbers, it is hard to argue. Do I want a Cadillac or a GMC? Might be a nice ride, but that Caddy is farther out of reach than the GMC.

I guess I just received my last FMJ order - looks like I just need to man up and go lead. And at the rate that my wife burns through ammo, it is probably the only way to move forward. Especially since our kids are at or near centerfire age and wanting to run our guns, too.

I suppose the Bayou Bullets don't have wax lube since they are coated?

As far as powder goes, I've been using HP-38 in .45 and 9mm. With the addition of .380, I'm looking for a spherical powder that would meter well in the smaller cases and not be too smoky with lead. A friend recommended AA#5 - any others to look at? If it matters, I'm (finally) transitioning from a LEE turret to a Hornady L-N-L AP.

UpTheIrons wrote:I guess I just received my last FMJ order - looks like I just need to man up and go lead.

If you go the lead route, here is a product that I really like and use every time I clean my guns.: BROWNELLS - LEWIS LEAD REMOVER.

UpTheIrons wrote:I suppose the Bayou Bullets don't have wax lube since they are coated?

Correct. They also do not smoke.

I would not think of going from FMJ to lead as moving from a Cadillac to a GMC. Lead can be very accurate. With the right lead alloy, you will get very little to no leading. I get my cast bullets from Friendswood Bullets. His alloy is just right so that I don't have a leading problem. I have used others that are harder and they will lead both my 9 and my 45.

If you plan to shoot indoors any, I would recommend having some plated bullets around to load for that. The Bayou bullets don't smoke much but it is noticeable on an indoor range when shooting IDPA matches, especially if several shooters are using them. That is is the only time I shoot plated bullets. Bayou bullets for all outdoor matches for the reduced smoke and regular cast for all practice (don't care about the smoke then).