HiTek coated projectiles...in your experience, are they as accurate as the Hornady JHP or the Zero JHP-C?

Time to order some more projectiles. 
I'm seeing some very nice sales on the Hornady HAP bullets as well as on some of the  HiTek coated projectiles. 
The former is still bit more expensive but not prohibitively. 
I generally remain a bit skeptical with regard to the claims of advertisers. 
Some of the  HiTek coated selling sites claim their product is more accurate that many Jacketed projectiles but....well, i just didn't know if i could or should trust that statement as fact.
Wondering what your experience has been?
thank you

Close enough if the caster is good.

Greetings,

Contact the vendors and ask for some ten shot test targets fired at 50 yards.

Cheers,

Dave

I didn't know you could do that. thank you

Zero 185 gr. JHP bullets for .45 ACP are known to group very well at 50 yards. I doubt that there have been many tests of coated bullets at that distance. For the average non-bullseye shooting reloader, great accuracy doesn't mean what it does to people who shoot one-handed at 50 yards. They may be happy with one hole groups at 7 yards. Of course, unless you have a pistol that is capable of accuracy at 50 yards, it really doesn't matter.

There have been many reports of excellent results with lead bullets, whether coated or not, at 50 yards and I know that fc60, for one, has, in the past, published his test groups here.

But, AFAIK, most if not all of the High Master Bullseye shooters use Zero 185JHP bullets for the long line (and generally for their entire match when using a 45). That was the preferred bullet for ASYM, Atlanta Arms (I think) and several other notable match ammo producers. The only variation that springs to mind is Federal Gold Medal Match which uses their own style jacketed bullet and is favoured by some. Nosler also make a 185JHP bullet, but typically they are quite a bit more expensive than Zero and some have questioned their recent production tolerances (I have no opinion). The recipe for producing an accurate load with those Zero bullets is very well documented on this forum. Tried and tested millions of times.

Many folks get great enjoyment from developing their loads with lead bullets and take great satisfaction when a good long line result is achieved - I tip my hat to them - but that generally takes quite a bit of effort and time.

At 25 yards, with a decent Bullseye gun, almost all bullets are X-ring, given consistent reloading practise and components.

If I remember correctly Brazos had some good 50 yard results.

https://www.brazosprecision.com/Mason-Talbert-Blows-Past-2600-to-2616-100x_b_3.html

this information has been very helpful and will no doubt save me from some expensive beginner mistakes

Scroll down in this thread and you will see a test target of 5 shots in a Giles 45 using cast bullet..
https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t24034-found-a-giles-45

Cast bullets wont hold you back unless you are capable of seeing and calling the difference.

Sa-tevp wrote:If I remember correctly Brazos had some good 50 yard results.

https://www.brazosprecision.com/Mason-Talbert-Blows-Past-2600-to-2616-100x_b_3.html

Brazos Precision bullets were excellent. Too bad that they have been out of business for quite some time.

If I were to rate pistol bullets for accuracy potential, it would be as follows:

Jacketed HP—Best makes Hornady, Sierra, Zero, Nosler, Speer.  The first three of these have a track record of holding the X-ring at 50 yards.  

Jacketed FMJ—No particular preference as few are suitable for Bullseye.  Those that were used in Bullseye like the 185 still loaded by Federal no longer have much useage.  These used to be good in 50 yard competition, but since they’re no longer used much, it’s undetermined if they remain any good.

Swaged lead—Best makes Zero, Bear Creek, Precision Delta.  These are capable to hold well inside the 10 ring at 50, thus making them a lower cost option for 25 yard shooting.  The big bullet makers like Hornady and Speer make swaged bullets, or did.  They were best suited for training.

Cast lead—No specific best makes.  Good results and indifferent results can be found in most major makers. Brazos were good, but they’re gone now.  Other makers are out there.  Coated with HiTek are usually very good and easy to load.  Lubed can be as good but I’ve found them to be messier and a bit less accurate.  Coated with “Paint Powder” have not proven to be as reliably accurate.  For cast bullets, I recommend that you ask here at this forum for recommended vendors.

what a great post, thank you

it is interesting that the hollow points were ultimately the most accurate.

this really helps me, very grateful

I have used both Brazos 180 grain swc and Bayou 185 grain swc for 25 yard loads and they both shoot well. 3.7 grains of Bullseye and a .464-.465 taper crimp.

In my pistols:
9mm: yes so far. XTPs , HAPs, and very cool enough RMRs “nukes” are all REAL close to each other and do outshoot cast coated, plated, and FMJs. Enough of a difference that it matters in bullseye. Action stuff not so much IMO. I have not tried any swaged lead yet that I recall.
45. Tiny sample size but for my stuff zerio 185 jhps do appear ro consistently outshoot coated lead casted. BUT I have had some small sample tests with great results on some cast coated SWCs… just so far not consistent enough to switch over on match loads—but its tempting and if I actually liked load development I could see it being a deep rabbit hole. Or perhaps “dragon” to chase.

Hollow point SWC vs SWC is matter of Center of Mass vs Center of Pressure.... I'm fairly clueless what that means ...

JHP ... Nosler... Hornady ... Sierra ...

I've got a case of both Sierra 230's ... which were REQUIRED (230 FMJ) for EIC when I started ...

And Nosler 185 ... which I can't justify wasting at my age and infirmities....

I think I have enough Brazos left to fade away ...

No. Close, but no cigar

I have fired many tens of thousands of Hitek coated bullets in 38 spl, 9mm, .38 Super and .45 acp. The only brands I tried were Brazos Precision and Bayou Bullets. I thought both brands would give very good 50 yd results. For whatever the reason it was easier to get consistent good loads in .38 Spl & .45 acp. .38 Super not quite as good but good, and 9mm was tough. The exact load, in 9mm, from the same gun would shoot 80% in a tight pattern, then a few would be out of the group.

I could get 2 - 2.5" groups at 50 yds with either Brazos or Bayou in all above except 9mm. In .45 acp, I found the 200 gr SWC bullets shot a bit better than the 180 or 185s. I never sorted my Hitek bullets by weight, before loading and testing, however they did vary by weight. I believe the potential of Hitek coated bullets if weighed and sorted by the weight would produce better results, even though they were good. 

Are they as good as Zero, Nosler, Hornady jacketed bullets and maybe some others? Probably not, however only a Ranson Rest or a few really good hard holders will benefit the most by the difference. Cost difference is quite noticeable. I think Brazos today is questionable but give Dennis a call at Bayou Bullets. I think you will be pleased with them. Especially in .45 acp and the 185 or 200 gr SWC.

Allgoodhits wrote:I have fired many tens of thousands of Hitek coated bullets in 38 spl, 9mm, .38 Super and .45 acp. The only brands I tried were Brazos Precision and Bayou Bullets. I thought both brands would give very good 50 yd results. For whatever the reason it was easier to get consistent good loads in .38 Spl & .45 acp. .38 Super not quite as good but good, and 9mm was tough. The exact load, in 9mm, from the same gun would shoot 80% in a tight pattern, then a few would be out of the group.

I could get 2 - 2.5" groups at 50 yds with either Brazos or Bayou in all above except 9mm. In .45 acp, I found the 200 gr SWC bullets shot a bit better than the 180 or 185s. I never sorted my Hitek bullets by weight, before loading and testing, however they did vary by weight. I believe the potential of Hitek coated bullets if weighed and sorted by the weight would produce better results, even though they were good. 

Are they as good as Zero, Nosler, Hornady jacketed bullets and maybe some others? Probably not, however only a Ranson Rest or a few really good hard holders will benefit the most by the difference. Cost difference is quite noticeable. I think Brazos today is questionable but give Dennis a call at Bayou Bullets. I think you will be pleased with them. Especially in .45 acp and the 185 or 200 gr SWC.

I’m interested in your load for your Bayou bullets for 45ACP!

Recently picked up a 1000 rounds of 200gr Hi-Tek and have an idea of where to start my ladder but enjoy seeing other successful loads For their barrel

MkFiji wrote:

Allgoodhits wrote:I have fired many tens of thousands of Hitek coated bullets in 38 spl, 9mm, .38 Super and .45 acp. The only brands I tried were Brazos Precision and Bayou Bullets. I thought both brands would give very good 50 yd results. For whatever the reason it was easier to get consistent good loads in .38 Spl & .45 acp. .38 Super not quite as good but good, and 9mm was tough. The exact load, in 9mm, from the same gun would shoot 80% in a tight pattern, then a few would be out of the group.

I could get 2 - 2.5" groups at 50 yds with either Brazos or Bayou in all above except 9mm. In .45 acp, I found the 200 gr SWC bullets shot a bit better than the 180 or 185s. I never sorted my Hitek bullets by weight, before loading and testing, however they did vary by weight. I believe the potential of Hitek coated bullets if weighed and sorted by the weight would produce better results, even though they were good. 

Are they as good as Zero, Nosler, Hornady jacketed bullets and maybe some others? Probably not, however only a Ranson Rest or a few really good hard holders will benefit the most by the difference. Cost difference is quite noticeable. I think Brazos today is questionable but give Dennis a call at Bayou Bullets. I think you will be pleased with them. Especially in .45 acp and the 185 or 200 gr SWC.

I’m interested in your load for your Bayou bullets for 45ACP!

Recently picked up a 1000 rounds of 200gr Hi-Tek and have an idea of where to start my ladder but enjoy seeing other successful loads For their barrel

I have used Clays, WST, BE and VV N310 in .45 acp using 200 gr Hitek coated SWC. I load to about .930" from base of brass to shelf of bullet. The OAL ends up being about 1.240" +/-. I remove flare during crimp phase and maybe a tad more. The way I measure I get .469-.470. My guns have either Kart, KKM or Bar-Sto barrels.  Also note that I shoot the same load for TF and SF. I want as many things as possible to be same after each trigger pull. I am willing to give up some 50 yd accuracy to gain consistency in feel and reduce elbow issues. I have experienced excellent loads from a RR, but I don't shoot them as well in my hand.

Powder charge weight would vary with gun set up, spring weight, optic weight if slide mounted and even how firm you grip. Temperature extremes may play a role too. 

These are "my" charge weights in grains
Clays= 3.6 or .8. I like 3.8
BE and VV N310= 3.8 or .9
WST= 3.9 or 4.0

Allgoodhits wrote:These are "my" charge weights in grains
Clays= 3.6 or .8. I like 3.8
BE and VV N310= 3.8 or .9
WST= 3.9 or 4.0

Exactly where I am at with the same powders and 200 LSWC using a really tight 1911 with a slide mounted optic.

3.8 WST or N310 is marginal with an occasional failure to eject. Probably fine with a looser pistol.