Berrys 30 carbine bullets??

[Rule3]

Berrys 30 carbine bullets??++ UPDATE++

So digging around in my pile of "stuff" I found a box of Berrys plated 110 bullets I bought over a year or more ago,

Now their pistol bullets say not to shoot over 1200 fps and used middle of the road FMJ data or hard cast data.

Their web site does not show this bullet as it is out of stock, but what I have read, the rifle bullets can go faster. They do show a 123 gr bullet for 7.62 x 39 that can go 1900 fps.

I searched and there is all kinds of conflicting info, Some cite the pistol max some say 1900fps.

I want to use H110 or 2400 but even at a start load it is over the recommended FPS.

So how fast can these really be pushed??

Yes I can wimp them down with 2400 or Unique but would like to get them as fast as I can without them falling apart.

I have a whole box so I want to use them up, it's my last box of anything Berrys.

Thanks

 

[ReloaderFred]

At the SHOT Show in January, I asked the rep, Jason, at the Berry's booth if their .30 Carbine bullets would stand 1950 fps, and the answer was, "yes, they will". He said I would be fine at that velocity, but not to exceed 2,000 fps, "just in case".

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[zxcvbob]

Their web site used to say 1900; don't know if it says anything now. They are really nice bullets, and I've used them in my Blackhawk. Now I shoot cast bullets, but if I had a Carbine I would use the Berry's without hesitation -- for full power loads, back off just a little if the accuracy goes out the window.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks, I "guess" I can use the 2400 data as it can be downloaded but I still need the rifle to cycle.

I my digging I also found a a zip lock bag that was mislabeled. It said 110 JSP but I looked at them and said no way, I weighed them (yes, way) and they are 85 grain. Turns out they are Sierra Sports Master. This are tiny little buggers!

I can shoot mosquitoes now!

Found this old thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=451348

 

[mmay1]

I don't have any scientific facts to offer up, such as muzzle speed, but I load 110-grain Berry's with 14.0 grains of H110. The cartridges are accurate and cycle my M1 Carbines just fine. The fired cases are just fine, also, usually within 10 feet or so front right.

 

[au_prospector]

I have a whole box so I want to use them up, it's my last box of anything Berrys.

Is Berry's bad? I just acquired a box of .429 240 grain HP, .357 158 grain FP, and .452 230 grain RN. It seemed like a good idea at the time, except now I noticed the 44 mag and .357 bullets dont have a cannelure.

 

[Rule3]

I don't have any scientific facts to offer up, such as muzzle speed, but I load 110-grain Berry's with 14.0 grains of H110. The cartridges are accurate and cycle my M1 Carbines just fine. The fired cases are just fine, also, usually within 10 feet or so front right.

Yes, that is the start load for a regular FMJ which based on Hodgdons data would be around 2000 fps. There in lies the question as that speed is over what Berrys says to use. When I used their bullets for handguns I never was concerned as not many of my loads for 9mm and 45 went over 1200 fps.. JMO but i think they can go pretty much the same as FMJ but I do not know how much plating they put on now.

Are they bad bullets?, No I usually shoot lead and can buy (or could buy) fmj for the same price. When Berrys first came out, they were priced below FMJ and were a good deal. Last batch I bought was through Cabellas 9mm and the bullets had a lot of weight and dimension variance, not enough to be "bad" but I wanted more consistency. They are fine for range blasting.

I do not use them in revolvers, if you put a heavy roll crimp you will break through the plating. So it is either a light roll crimp or buy a taper crimp die for the revolvers.

 

[zxcvbob]

Is Berry's bad? I just acquired a box of .429 240 grain HP, .357 158 grain FP, and .452 230 grain RN. It seemed like a good idea at the time, except now I noticed the 44 mag and .357 bullets dont have a cannelure.

Give them a light roll crimp that just bites into the copper a little but doesn't cut through it -- if you pull one of the bullets you'll see a mark. I tried using a taper crimp on them (.38 Special using a 9mm crimp die) and the taper crimp looked better but the accuracy suffered quite a bit.

 

[FROGO207]

Well the only way to see if they are going to shoot well and cycle in your rifle is to load up a few and try them it seems now that some others have weighed in with their experiences. I would load a few at a slightly lower level first as a precaution but they should be safe and will probably work OK.

Let us know the results of your tests. I have never loaded plated in the 30 CARB but have used plated in many other applications with great results.

 

[Rule3]

I sent Berrys a E mail and will see what they say. I recall the rifle bullets were higher at around 1900 fps I really want to use H110 as I have a lot of it and do not load full house handgun magnums much anymore.

What's the worst that can happen?, the plating burns off, it turns into a molten swagged lead which forms a blob and splatters the target.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have used Berry's 30 carbine bullets in my Carbine and the work just fine staying within the 1900-2000 fps. I use W296/H110 for powder, unfortunately my reloading records are on the other side of "the Pond" from me right now so I cannot say the exact charge weight I use.

I use a taper crimp with the 30 Carbine as well as with most of my other cartridges loaded with plated bullets.

Au_prospector, I like and use lots of Berry bullets but you do need to heed their velocity warnings. The bullets designed for handguns are usually recommended to be pushed no faster than 1200 fps.

So, if you we're hopping for stout magnum loads in your 44 Mag, do not use the Berry bullets..

But, for mild to mid range loaded, Berry bullets are great..

I use Berry bullets in 30 Carbine, 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 9x19, 38 Special, 38 Super, 357 SIG, 40 S&W, 44 Special, 45 Colt, and 45 ACP.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rule3]

I have used Berry's 30 carbine bullets in my Carbine and the work just fine staying within the 1900-2000 fps. I use W296/H110 for powder, unfortunately my reloading records are on the other side of "the Pond" from me right now so I cannot say the exact charge weight I use.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, good to hear. That would be the start load of H110 if Hodgdons data is "real" world.

I guess I could drag the Chronograph out to the swamp to check but if they melt and disintegrate and pepper it with molten lead, will you buy me a new one?

 

[Rule3]

According to a "no name" e mail reply from Berrys, their 110 , 30 cal carbine bullets can be pushed to 1950 fps.

Guess I need to dig out the chronograph. Which I had a way to capture some shot bullets like on TV crime shows

No, I am not going to shoot them in the pool.

 

[Rule3]

Went to the swamp yesterday with the chronograph Hot and humid, 92 F, 50-60 % humidity.

Tested the Berrys 110 plated with 13.6 grains of H110 (Hornady #8 has a start load of 13.1) So much for Hodgdons 3% rule That was the lowest my Lee Disc would throw above 13.1 grains
10 rounds, Quality Hardware with Rock and Roll barrel

Anyway the data:

AV 1770fps

ES 146

SD 48

High 1846, Low 1700

Cycled the carbine fine, I think it can go up a notch, not much but a little. Without seeing the fired bullets hard to say, I sighted in at 20 yards and nice 3-4" groups standing.

==============================

Also tested the Sierra 85 gr JRN

16.9 g H110

AV 2222

ES 78

SD 22

H 2256, L 2178