Well rainier bullets are cast lead bullets that are then plated with a thin copper jacket. They are called TMJ (total metal jacket) bullets. They are cleaner than shooting just lead and that's about it.
For self defence I use what most cops use. Speer Gold Dot ammo is about the best out there and is better priced than most others. Also Remington make a bullets called the Golden Saber which is also a very good performer. Jovan