ZERO Brand bullets

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au_prospector

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Guys I am having difficulty getting Berry's and Xtreme plated bullets to be as accurate as factory ammunition in my handguns.

Was thinking maybe trying jacketed type bullets to see if I can do better.
I found some ZERO bullets in .357 and 9mm, might I get better luck with them>?
 
My tests haven't been scientific but I've gotten much better consistency from Zero as compared to Xtreme. I tried 500 Xtremes but have decided to abandon them. Zeros are better for me and are very reasonably priced.
 
I have used Zero bullets in both 9MM and 357. They are good and accurate but the down side is they do cost a bit more than the plated type. I use the JHP in the 357 and they are as accurate as I can shoot at least. Roze Dist. is the place to buy them in bulk as far as I can see so far.
 
I've used Zero FMJ RN in 9mm with good success. That was my bullet of choice before I discovered Xtreme Heavy Plated for a couple of cents less. So far, so good with the Xtremes, but Zeroes are my next choice. I only use them to shoot holes in paper for fun and both brands are plenty accurate enough for me.
 
Zero brand are good bullets. My CZ 97 loves the 185 Gr JHP. My .38 Super loves the 125 Gr JHP (.356, which I used for both 9MM and .38 Super)

I still use Zeros, Berrys, X-Treme, Powerbond, and and now using some Hi-Tek coated bullets with excellent results.

Folks are reported very good results with the relatively new thick plated bullets from RMR.
 
I have not shot Zero bullets, I live in Alabama and would be stuck for sales tax.
But I have read on the Internet and therefore it must be so that they are of good quality, to the point that bullseye shooters have been substituting the Zero 185 gr JHP for the more expensive Nosler "discovered" by the USMC team.

I am about out of plated bullets and low on FMJs.
The BBI with Hi Tek coating seems satisfactory so far for my IDPA shooting.
I will likely continue to buy some JHPs for defense gun practice loads.
 
I got a chance to test Zero's not too long ago. I liked them, they were about as accurate as XTP's with +P 38 spcl, and full tilt .357 mag. H110 loads. I did some informal penetration and expansion testing with them also, and they held up real well, none experienced any jacket separation when fired into 16" of tightly rolled up wet denim, and they pedaled back pretty nicely also.

The only feature I thought could be improved on is the depth of the canelure. I didn't have any problems with +P 38, but the H110 .357 loads were showing some minor indication of bullet jump. None of them completely broke free of the crimp, but they definitely scooted up some.

I'll definitely be placing an order for some, but I'll probably use them for +P 38 spcl, rather than my H110 .357 mag. loads. Good bullets though!

GS
 
I have looked at the Zero 9MM (.355) Diameter) - 125 GR FPFMJ to load in 357sig, but have not pulled the trigger yet. Before buying 1000, I want to make sure it will work for 357sig, and do double duty in 9mm.

Anybody loaded these in 357sig, and any conclusion regarding how good they work for 357sig?
 
I like them, havent shot a whole heckuva lot but I can surely attest that they load well and look nice, arent all beat to heck. Right down i65 from me too.

I'll be surprised if we hear much negative info about them.
 
Guys I am having difficulty getting Berry's and Xtreme plated bullets to be as accurate as factory ammunition in my handguns.
Click to expand...

Since these are plated, you are basically shooting a cast lead bullet. If they are undersized for you barrel, you won't see any greater accuracy with these than with regular cast bullets that are undersized. The plating just reduces leading significantly or even eliminates it completely.

While I do still shoot a lot of cast and plated 9mms, I stick to jacketed for my super accurate loads. I don't fully understand why jacketed bullets engage the rifling better even when undersized but they do. Even my Marlin 1894 in .44 mag with a .432 barrel shoots dead accurate with jacketed bullets.
 
The only problems with Zero are finding them in-stock, and the club where I shoot doesn't allow jacketed bullets on steel targets.
 
Ex said:
Zero is all I buy. Free shipping, great quality. The JHPs work well "but" for the conical designed ones.
The conical ones they make do not expand and are good for target only. Their skived JHP bullets expand into anything, as they should. I use them for carry without hesitation.
Click to expand...
Ok, so the old design HPs are expanding and the new design conical are more for accurate target rounds in the 9mm 125 grain?
 
I have shot thousands of Zeros with excellent results. Same for Montana Gold. However, I recently tried MBC coated bullets. They are very accurate and don't lead my barrels.
 
I had never heard of Zero bullets before this thread. I shoot mostly my own cast lead but I keep a small number of jacketed bullets around for my heavy loads.

After reading the positive posts here and not finding a single negative comment anywhere about them, I ordered 2k of the 158 grain JSPs for my .38/357. They are a bit cheaper than the Montana Golds that I usually use.

Hopefully I will have some feedback soon.
 
First of all, Zeros have been good in my tests (when I can find them)
But I haven't had any in several years.

If your having accuracy issues with Berry's & X-treme, it sounds like you haven't hit on the powder & bullet size combo.

I've had excellent accuracy with both of those.

Have you slugged your barrels?
Have you tried to "work up" a load for each?
How about letting us help by telling us what you've done so far.

I would be surprized if you had better luck just by changing the bullet (without changing the diameter)
 
I've sold millions of both xtreme and berrys. Yes, they leave a little to be desired, but in my experience most of the accuracy issues stem from using the lee FCD incorrectly on a plated bullet. I've had guys call me up and complain that their bullets were tumbling and that I sold them garbage. After some quick diagnosis questions the Lee FCD was ALWAYS a factor in resizing the bullet as much as five thousandths. I've seen tons of youtube videos of guys using the lee FCD to "straighten" loaded rounds. Or they use it to get their loaded rounds to case gauge. Well, when you resize a loaded round, you aren't just resizing the brass.
 
100% agree with Jake.
The Lee FCD is a solution that went searching for a problem, couldn't find one, and went ahead and created one.:banghead:
 
Zero bullets rock.... but you'll have to keep checking Roze Dist.'s web site as they are often out of stock on popular sizes, and quickly sell out after re-stocking.
 
+1 to what Jake said, and +1 to what SSN Vet said as well.

I really like Zero bullets, if I want to use a FMJ style. I bought a bunch when they were available a number of years ago, and still have a bunch!

Powder Valley also sells them, so keep an eye there for them.

Not to mix things up too much, but I'd strongly encourage you take a look at the RMR Match bullets from longdayjake's RMR Bullets.
 
From what I've read, you heat the body up with a plumbers torch, stick a dowel in the top and give it a rap.

I like the LFCD for jacketed loads and bought the plain Jane Lee taper crimp die for $12 if you don't want to modify the LFCD.
 
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