Issue with Berry's hollow base bullets

[TTv2]

Got these 185gr hollow base .45 bullets made by Berry's cuz I want to test them in the Taurus Judge, but upon inspection I see that a good number of these bullets have the same hole on the side wall inside the hollow base and it doesn't look right. Is this normal for hollow base bullets or are these defective? Can they be shot?

 

[kcofohio]

Got these 185gr hollow base .45 bullets made by Berry's cuz I want to test them in the Taurus Judge, but upon inspection I see that a good number of these bullets have the same hole on the side wall inside the hollow base and it doesn't look right. Is this normal for hollow base bullets or are these defective? Can they be shot?

View attachment 1006998

Did you purchase directly from Berry's, or a reputable retailer? If so, I'd contact Berry's of the issue. They look like they would be seconds, and not first.

I've shot many of those bullets, and never noticed any flaws with them.

 

[TTv2]

Did you purchase directly from Berry's, or a reputable retailer? If so, I'd contact Berry's of the issue. They look like they would be seconds, and not first.

I've shot many of those bullets, and never noticed any flaws with them.

Berry's hasn't sold much for bullets direct from their website all year. I wish they would because their prices and shipping are great.

I got these bullets from MidwayUSA.

 

[Hondo 60]

Both Berry's & MidwayUSA are very reputable companies.
Either will make this right.

 

[IMtheNRA]

There is no apparent defect in the photo you posted.

 

[Jonny2guns]

I don't think it will make a difference, I would shoot them.

 

[forrest r]

I've shot countless 1000's of home swaged & cast hb bullets. What your looking at will not affect anything.

Load 24 up with the hole VS 24 without and go do a little head to head testing.

 

[Demi-human]

There’s a hole in my hollow base bullet!

I would see if the blemish looked the same after being pried out of a target backer…
It is a blemish, cosmetic at best though.
Shoot them without worry, it isn’t going to split there or burn through.

 

[Walkalong]

Doesn't look like enough to worry about. Have you shot any? What is the accuracy expectation and at what distance?

 

[Charlie98]

That wouldn't bother me in the slightest... load them up and shoot.

 

[Bill M.]

I think those bullets will shoot just fine. Even in good times I would accept them.

 

[Reinz]

You’d be surprised how well some junky looking Bullets perform.

And the converse as well.

 

[TTv2]

My concern wasn't a loss of accuracy, but the bullets fracturing while the hollow base expands against the bore and the skirts getting blown off. If that's not going to happen, then I've no issue with these bullets.

 

[kcofohio]

My concern wasn't a loss of accuracy, but the bullets fracturing while the hollow base expands against the bore and the skirts getting blown off. If that's not going to happen, then I've no issue with these bullets.

Since the pressure will be directed forward and the barrel will retain the shape, you should be okay on that.

 

[splattergun]

Just looked at my Berry's in 9mm. Yes, some have that little pit in the interior wall.
I have never, ever had any issue with Berry's hollow base after 1000's of them gone downrange. Shoot'm

 

[jmorris]

My concern wasn't a loss of accuracy, but the bullets fracturing while the hollow base expands against the bore and the skirts getting blown off. If that's not going to happen, then I've no issue with these bullets.

I would say you have no issue then, that’s not going to happen.

 

[fxvr5]

Since the pressure will be directed forward and the barrel will retain the shape, you should be okay on that.

Is the pressure not directed in all directions?

 

[fxvr5]

Got these 185gr hollow base .45 bullets made by Berry's cuz I want to test them in the Taurus Judge, but upon inspection I see that a good number of these bullets have the same hole on the side wall inside the hollow base and it doesn't look right. Is this normal for hollow base bullets or are these defective? Can they be shot?

Questions about a product should be directed to the manufacturer.

 

[kcofohio]

Is the pressure not directed in all directions?

Correct, I misstated in my post. Forward is the route of least resistance.

 

[Charlie98]

Correct, I misstated in my post. Forward is the route of least resistance.

My concern wasn't a loss of accuracy, but the bullets fracturing while the hollow base expands against the bore and the skirts getting blown off.

Look at it this way... take a hollow-base swaged .38 WC bullet, not plated. The walls of those are quite thin, and don't have the benefit of the plating, either. Granted, they aren't being pushed at typical 9mm pressures.... but you see what I'm saying. It would be interesting, just to verify, to recover a few of those after firing to see if there is any indication of fracture or separation... although I find it very unlikely.

 

[Rebar46nyc]

I have the same bullets and they all have the same little indentation on one side of the concave. I’ve shot about 400 of them and not a single issue very accurate load and shoot my man!

 

[mdi]

IF I were concerned, I'd weigh a bunch and compare weights between the "marred" cavity and "good" bullets. I have not purchased many plated bullets because I've been disappointed in the quality. I wouldn't overthink that small defect in the cavity as long as the rest of the bullet, the OD, was clean and I never thought of plated bullets as "Match Quality". Shoot 'em...

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Got these 185gr hollow base .45 bullets made by Berry's cuz I want to test them in the Taurus Judge, but upon inspection I see that a good number of these bullets have the same hole on the side wall inside the hollow base and it doesn't look right. Is this normal for hollow base bullets or are these defective? Can they be shot?

View attachment 1006998

It looks in the photo like an anodize pin bubble. The copper fluid didn't flow evenly around the lead for some reason. It's like the freckles on freshly chromed bumpers. It's not actually a flaw since that's not a contact surface but you could still call Midway and let them know it concerns you. They're a good company and they will make it right, in my experience.

 

[Rule3]

I blew up the picture and still do not see what the issue it?? The teeny, tiny pin hole??

Geese, just load them and shoot them

 

[OrangeCat]

It looks in the photo like an anodize pin bubble. The copper fluid didn't flow evenly around the lead for some reason. It's like the freckles on freshly chromed bumpers. It's not actually a flaw since that's not a contact surface but you could still call Midway and let them know it concerns you. They're a good company and they will make it right, in my experience.

Actually for my money it looks like it was resting on something during the plating process like a rack or something.