Tork

I just purchased some Berry's Platted Bullets to use for target practice in my 357 mag revolvers. My velocities will be around 1000 fps. I plan to load with Hogdon Universal powder and use a light roll crimp. There are two facts that I am aware of.

1. Keep velocities around 1150 fps or lower.

2. Use a light crimp to prevent damage to the copper plating on the bullet.

From you who are experienced with this type of platted bullet do you have any other issues I should be aware of?

Cary

scooter.maclusky

I have some experience with Rainier plated bullets. In .357 it took 6.5 gr Unique and a fairly aggressive Redding profile crimp with the 158 gr bullet to get to 1000+ FPS.
I was happy with the results. Good luck!

FYI: From the lack of help out there and the nature of plated bullets when my supply of plated bullets runs out I am going only with cast and not looking back.

Wee Hooker

Just note that Berry's recommends you use low to mid jacketed bullet data be used. (Some other plated bullet brands say to use lead data.) I'm building loads for a 9mm now using Berry's 130 gr and can attest it's taking mid level jacketed loads to get decent results.

Have to agree with Scooter. Not much data on plated bullets ( and less on 130gr in 9mm) . Finding the right load can take some thought and experimentation. I have 2500 of them so WILL get there but it's isn't fast or easy.

terry_p

The current issue Dec 2010 of Handloader Magazine has an article on plated bullets and loads for 9MM Mak, 38 Spl, 41 Spl and 44 Spl.

TMD

I use Rainer 200gn FP's in my 1911's and they are more accurate then I am.

shaner

ive used alot of berrys i like them but never pushed them over cast loading data

Tork

Thanks for the input and the advice guys. I have experience using cast in my revolvers and all my rifles.

Cary

Yurko

Sounds like you got the bull by the horns Tork.

Reload away & have fun gettin' rid of them reloads!

dickttx

I just loaded and shot my first Berry's this past week-200gr 45 Colt HP.
I started with 8.8gr Unique for the first six. Dug out some and they were hardly even misshaped. Upped the load to 9gr and they mushroomed. I was suprised how thick the plating was. Even the ones that mushroomed, the back portion looked like a jacketed bullet.

Hugh Uno

and it was pretty clear from the results that Berry's Plated Bullets are:

1. an answer looking for a solution (OK, some indoor ranges require em).
2. VERY UN-impressive in the accuracy department..

scooter.maclusky

I know someone who likes the plated 9mm bullets. He loads 7.8 gr AA#7 with the 115gr Rainier. I have seen him shoot one ragged hole at 30' with this load using a Glock. I haven't had such luck with revolver loads.

Snobal

I have not tried "Berry's Plated Bullets," but have used two other brands in 38/357.

I like plated bullets because they shoot clean and are inexpensive (compared to some other types of bullets).

I load them as "cheap, plinking ammo" for friends that shoot infrequently and don't care (or could not tell) that the load groups >3" at 25 yards (versus less than 2" for home-cast bullets).

Buying plated bullets is much easier than investing the time it takes to make good cast bullets. However, for hunting and Bullseye Match shooting, I want "X-ring" accuracy rather than "10-ring" accuracy so I shoot home-made cast bullets.

JMHO - YRMV

showmebob

Tork

Sounds like you have the basics down. I've loaded about 4,000 of the Berry's 357's without any issues in both 125 and 158gr FP and HP. They are fine for plinking and if you experiment you will find accurate loads (not hard to do). Do NOT expect the HP's to mushroom.

Tork

Given a choice I prefer a flat point bullet over a hollow point in my revolvers. Nothing like the smack of a good size meplat. Hey that has a rime to it.
I'll be picking the bullets up today and I did order the 158gr FP bullets. As in a lot of products some people love them and some hate them. I've been shooting jacketed bullets in my two revolvers for target work/plinking and I thought I would give these a try. With a $10 discount I payed just under $20 for 250 so they are cheep enough. Thanks everyone for your input.
Cary

Snobal

Mr. showmebob,

Would you please share what powder has produced "accurate" loads for you with plated bullets.

I really like the idea of being able to just buy a big box of bullets and load them, but I simply have not been able to get the accuracy I want with them.

I have several loading manuals and have been reloading since the 1960's. I understand that many people do not want to give the "exact" load, but at least share the powder that you have used and the average group size you expect with 158 grain plated bullets from 24 shots (or more) at one target at 25 yards.

Thanks!