OK before you guys slap my wrist I have to ask. When loading plated bullets such as Berrys and rainer do you guys follow the manufactures suggestion on using lead bullet loads? When loading at min. lead load data sometimes the gun won't even cycle, so add more powder and before I know it I'm creeping into the jacketed load area. Obviuosly I don't want to ruin any gun barrels but loading at the lower levels it feels like I'm plinking with a pellet gun. I'm currently using W231 9MM 4.3 gr, 40S&W 5.7, 45 acp 5.7. Just need some experienced opinions. Thanks
hot berry loads
- Thread starter ammopoor
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RustyFN
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No, I use jacketed data. Berry's states on their web site to keep their bullets under 1200FPS. You can do that and still use a good jacketed load. An example for me is I load Berry's 124 grain FP with 4.2 grains of Titegroup. They shoot great and are about half way between min and max. Start at min jacketed and work up.
Rusty
Edit: sorry that 124 grain is in 9mm just to be clear.
Rusty
Edit: sorry that 124 grain is in 9mm just to be clear.
ReloaderFred
Member
I've driven Berry's pistol bullets to 1,300 fps in the 357 Sig, but anything over that and they tumble all over the place. As noted, keep plated bullets around 1,200 fps and you'll be fine with them. Berry's rifle bullets are plated heavier and will withstand 1,600 fps easily. I'm using the Berry's 350 grain .45-70 bullet at around 1,700 fps and it stabilizes just fine from my 1895 Marlin with Micro-Groove barrel, but I think that's about the limit for it.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
I have found accuracy can start to suffer with some plated bullets before they get to that magic number (around 1200 FPS or so) where they go all to heck. On the other hand, I have shot some at a little over 1200 FPS with very good accuracy. They can give superb accuracy with the right load/velocity.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Here is what Berry Bullets actually says about load data:
"*How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets?
Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads."
They say nothing about using lead bullet data.
rcmodel
"*How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets?
Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads."
They say nothing about using lead bullet data.
rcmodel
1911NM
Member
RC is on the numbers with the info from Berrys. Load about midrange for Jacketed. I think the confusion stems from Ranier's website which says to use lead info. From what I hear, Raniers plated have a thinner plating than Berrys. Could effect loadings. I will be heading to the big city for meetings this week and to pick up a chrono from Sportsmans Warehouse, as I just want to load to meet major power factor. That is, if it ever dries out enough to want to pick brass.
If you have the old data Ranier provided, which is no longer available, it contradicts what they say now, which is load like lead. They are being carefull. It is true that in some calibers in some instances the plated bullets can not use as much powder as their jacketed counterparts, but many times they can.
Berry's advise is closer to reality. Midrange jacketed data is sometimes where you need to stop, but usually you can come close to full jacketed data without problems.
Midway, Accurate, and Vihtavuori all provided data for plated bullets at one time. Some it it is still floating around. I have hard copies of some of it I printed some years ago.
Berry's advise is closer to reality. Midrange jacketed data is sometimes where you need to stop, but usually you can come close to full jacketed data without problems.
Midway, Accurate, and Vihtavuori all provided data for plated bullets at one time. Some it it is still floating around. I have hard copies of some of it I printed some years ago.
ReloaderFred
Member
Ramshot also list loads with Berry's bullets in several different calibers and powders.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
The-Fly
Member
I've pushed 124gr 9mm Berry's to 1100fps and had zero problems. That said, I use FMJ anymore, as Berry's prices have gotten way too expensive.
have a friend in our gun club who drives his .357 JHP's to speeds in the hyper velocity range,really a sight to behold,any way,he tried to drive some Berry bullets at those speeds,he's still trying to "de-lead" his S&W revolver. jwr
ReloaderFred
Member
Tell your friend that if all else fails, read the instructions.............
Fred
Fred
FLORIDA KEVIN
Member
Being still somewhat of a beginner at reloading , am to understand that when you push the bullets too fast or rotate them too fast you overcome the material strength of the bullet and it breaks apart ? Kevin
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Not at handgun velocities.
Lead or plated jacket bullets will gas cut, or strip out of the rifling and lead the barrel if driven too fast, but they won't ever break apart due to velocity or rotational forces.
Very fast jacketed rifle bullets can and do though.
Years ago I have had 22-250 bullets turn into a little gray streaks out in front of the rifle when driven too fast for the bullet construction.
rcmodel
Lead or plated jacket bullets will gas cut, or strip out of the rifling and lead the barrel if driven too fast, but they won't ever break apart due to velocity or rotational forces.
Very fast jacketed rifle bullets can and do though.
Years ago I have had 22-250 bullets turn into a little gray streaks out in front of the rifle when driven too fast for the bullet construction.
rcmodel
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