GunLover

I just purchased some bullets from Berrys. They are 9mm 124grn hollow point, 38 special 125grn hollow point and 40 cal 180 grn hollow point. Now the hard part, trying to figure out how to properly load them. Anyone here ever used any of these and can give me some pointers? I wish Berrys would publish some loading data.

Max

Mr Sasquatch

I load Berry's 124gr, RN 9mm bullets with VV N329 and W231 and 148gr HBWC .38spl with W231. started with recipes fom Vithavouri's and Hodgdon's web sites. Started with the lowest powder loads and worked my loads up in 0.2 gr increments. Since Berry's bullets are copper plated they should be loaded in the low to medium range for jacketed bullets. My loads turned out to be slightly below the midpoint of the ranges recommended by VV and Hodgdon.

There is one powder manufacturer which has published load data for Berry's. I think it is Alliant, but I'm not completely sure. I'll check tomorrow.

humboldt

They are lead, load them to lead specs. Use a heavy crimp, or they will set back on you.

Buffalo11

Quite simple Humbolt..Read your data and load as LEAD.. Work on all my reloads. You can call Berrys and be told the same thing..
wPm

TMD

You got the "Load them to lead specs" right but missed it on the heavy crimp part. The plating on them is only a few thousands thick and damages easily. Berrys also recommends to keep velocities under 1200fps as this will cause the plating to peel and lead the barrel.

Sr40ken

All the plated bullets companies also recommend a "Light" taper crimp at most so you don't cut the plating. I run Xtreme bullets(.357 Mag), and thier max recommended velocity is 1400fps. But if one is target shooting/ plinking no need to go max velocity. jmho

Mr Sasquatch

This quote is from Berry's website's FAQ (with my emphasis)
" 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."

Further, because they are softer than jacketed bullets you should not use a heavy crimp or you'll cut the plating.

GunLover

So how do you determine what the min OAL should be? I could line up every hollow point bullet of a given calibur and weight and because of the different profiles every one of them could be a different length which would affect the OAL. Different profiles would have a different bearing surface which would affect the pressure. How can you just say load them as a lead bullet? Which lead bullet?

Max

Sr40ken

I wouldn't worry about oal as much as case volume. You stick to an oal for one bullet, another manufactureres same weight bullet maybe longer or shorter. Smaller case volume=higher pressure. For given bullet weights I try to stick w the same seating depth so presures remain the same. Of course you want to pay attention to OAL so you don't get into the throat too deep. That's very easy to check after loading the first round

BillyGoat

I contacted berrys and they said to load as a lead bullet with the same gr. and profile. they also said that they should be loaded like a jacketed bullet of low to med. loads. But as said not to crimp in excess because the plating is only .002 thick and excess crimp could lead to the plating severing and staying in the barrel. I have loaded about 4000, 9mm. with no problems, and I really like them. I have also loaded 2000 32 H&R mags. with their HBWC in 83 gr. and find them very accurate. Hope this helps, every thing I have read on here is very info., but watch the crimp. There is a site on the internet (M.D.Smith reloading) that I like alot. Good Luck, Jed

Mr Sasquatch

Max, read this. You can then shearch that forunm for what Wobbly posted. This guy knows his stuff.
200 grain Hornady XTP loads for my CZ97

Hope this will answer many questions you alreayd have or will soon have.

GunLover

I had found this about an hour ago and did the measurements. This is with the Berrys 124gn hollow point. Using the barrel on my SR9c the oal is 1.097". Using the Wolf conversion barrel in my Glock 22 the oal is down to 1.008". This bullet is .555" in length. That puts alot of bullet into the case even for the SR9c. More than I'm comfortable with. I have sent an email to Berrys about this to see if I can exchange them. So much for trying to save money.

Max

REDJEEP90

The latest Lee's reloading manual has data for plated bullets. I just recently purchased the manual for that reason.

GunLover

Yes but they don't say whose plated bullets. The profile is different between manufactures which in my case makes the bullet too long for the guns that I have.

Max

Dadsnugun

I just yesterday received this reply from Jay at Berry's re: the 125 grain hollow point for .38 special...."The COL for the .38 125gr HP in the .38spl is 1.52”.

That was the only question I asked about after reading their loading suggestions on the site, that is also the only bullet I have from that manufacturer at this time...I did shoot some Berrys loaded .38 Spl yesterday over a mild +P load, and found them accurate at 10 yds. The only distance I tried due to a limited quantity of loaded ammunition. There was no mushrooming of the bullet, however. I guess I'll just stick with 158g Oregon Trail Laser Cast bullets for defensive purposes. At least they've got some weight behind them. The Berry's will be plinkers I think.