Plated Bullets

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 Click to read entire video transcription 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. Read Less

FAQs for Plated Bullets

What are 9mm plated bullets?

Plated bullets have a lead core coated with copper. They’re kind of a middle ground between jacketed bullets and plain lead cast ones — giving you some of the benefits from both.

Jacketed bullets have a thicker full copper jacket and usually handle higher velocities better. Plated bullets have a thinner copper coating, so they work well for most loads but sometimes have velocity limits and can be less uniform than jacketed rounds.

Definitely. You get solid performance at a lower price than jacketed bullets, making them great for target shooting or just putting rounds downrange without breaking the bank.

It depends on the bullet and plating thickness. For example, our Campro 220 grain plated bullet has thicker plating than most competitors, so it handles faster speeds better than typical plated options — but generally, plated bullets aren’t made for the highest velocity loads.

We stock several quality options right now such as Campro and Xtreme righhhhhhhhhh plated bullets—each offering different weights and price points depending on what you need.

The majority of the bullets we carry are jacketed. As of this blog post, we have Xtreme .355″ 100gr RNFP in stock.

Every bullet has its place. Plated rounds give you good value and reduced lead exposure but might not match the ballistic performance of premium jacketed or hollow point bullets — so pick what fits your shooting goals best.

Yes, their copper plating cuts down on direct contact with lead compared to bare cast bullets, which is better for your health and keeps things cleaner overall.

Possibly — plated bullets tend to be less uniform than fully jacketed ones, so while they work great for general shooting and practice, they may not deliver the precision some shooters want in competition or hunting scenarios.

Absolutely! We’re always updating our inventory with new quality options—so keep checking back for fresh arrivals that fit your needs and budget.

Picture of Bill Bogner

Bill Bogner

Co-Founder, Raven Rocks Precision

Bill Bogner is the co-founder of Raven Rocks Precision and a recognized expert in reloading supplies and ammunition performance. With a hands-on approach and years of industry experience, Bill has helped establish Raven Rocks as a trusted source for high-quality projectiles among reloaders, instructors, and competitive shooters. This content was created by Bill, with the assistance of AI to ensure clarity, accuracy, and accessibility.