When loading for these bullets, you need to use data that will attain 800 fps as a minimum
While well meaning, and yes, 800 FPS would definitely keep him out of trouble, it is simply not true that he must attain 800 FPS to be safe from stuck plated bullets.
I am not guessing either, as I have shot a boatload of plated bullets in .38 and .357 cases, including many Berrys 148 Gr DEWC & HBWC's.
What you do need to be sure of is using a powder that does well if it is against the bullet (powder forward) vs against the primer (powder back) so no matter where the powder is you will not get a squib load from a powder that does not fair well away from the primer.
I test all my light loads (most others as well) both powder back and powder forward. That lets me know if it is safe for those slower velocities in light target loads.
One load of SR 4756 in .357 brass that gave an avg 931 FPS with the powder back from a 6" barrel with a 125 Gr plated bullet
stuck the first one powder forward. (Brass rod time)
In this application, Clays does well, WST does pretty well, Competition does very well, and W-231 does pretty well powder forward, as long as the charge is not too light.
3.4 Grs Competition and a Berrys 148 Gr DEWC gave me 736 FPS powder back and 698 FPS powder forward from a 6" barrel. That is very good PF number. Very good.
Some powder forward velocities will be 3 to 4 hundred (and more) FPS slower than those attained powder back. That is where folks can get into trouble, and where I feel some squib loads come from.
I have seen plated bullet velocities in the three hundreds exit 6" barrels. That does not mean 400 is safe by any means. I look to be able to maintain over 600 FPS no matter where in the case the powder is. That gives me margin for error etc. I really like to stay at 650 and above.
My slowest Berrys 148 Gr plated bullet loads give me nearly 700 FPS powder forward, and over 700 FPS powder back.
So.....I guess I am pretty close to the 800 mark after all.
My point is slower will exit, but we need to know what our load will do powder forward. I have no doubt many squibs are caused from the powder being forward in the case. We start with the barrel down, raise it up and fire.
Another example:
.38 Spl, 4.0 Grs Competition, Berrys 125 Gr TrFP
Powder back avg: 772 FPS
Powder forward avg: 555 FPS ( The low of the string was 508)
508 FPS is 217 FPS slower on avg than powder back (I have seen worse) and is getting close to a possible stuck bullet. Like I said, I have seen 300ish exit the barrel, but it did not go far.
Hope this helps. AC
3.8 Grs of W-231 will be a good place to start. Probably get around 700 to 725 FPS from a 6" tube
If the OP is referring to Berry's 148gr plated HBWC, be aware that, according to their website, they need to be pushed faster than a standard LHBWC. I'm betting you'll end up at over 4 grains W-231
I agree, he may well indeed end up over 4.0 Grs of W-231, but firmly believe 3.8 Grs is safe to start. Yes, plated can be stuck much more easily than slick lead HBWC's, and yes, plated need to be faster than lead to be safe. Just not 800 FPS if you know what your load will do PB & PF. Berrys is being safe. Even still, I have proven that some loads that break 900 FPS PB can stick a plated bullet PF.