Ruger Forum

BRL · July 20th, 2012, 04:32 PM

Got some 240 grain .44 mag. copper plated bullets, and no reloading data.

Do you stick with the same reloading data as stright lead?

shootist · July 20th, 2012, 05:04 PM

I would stick to lead data to be on the safe side, I'd like to try some 44mag Berrys but they don't put any canalures on any of their bullets, what are you doing for a crimp?

Nick0410 · July 20th, 2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

I would stick to lead data to be on the safe side, I'd like to try some 44mag Berrys but they don't put any canalures on any of their bullets, what are you doing for a crimp?

I reload for .38/.357 and I use a 9mm taper crimp die for the revolver rounds. You need to just put of tiny bit of crimp past straightening out the bell. I've emailed berry's a few times and my understanding is that if you stay below 1200 fps, your fine. I load my .38,.357, and 9mm Berrys with FMJ recipes all the time. I use Alliant powders and I everytime I switch powder, I use their charge and seating depth. I actually just got back from shooting a load I tried for the first time, 100rnds of another 9mm using their charge for Unique and their seating depth. It worked great like always, it was a little hot, but thats how I like to load 9mm so I'm glad I reloaded 600 of them before I left for vacation

Sr40ken · July 20th, 2012, 06:02 PM

Like Nick said. Just keep 'em under 1200fps for Berrys. Xtreme recommends 1400 or less. You might try Xtreme bullets they put a cannelure on thiers, at least on the .357s and they recommend a light taper crimp. They also say thier plating is thicker. I've had great shooting with them in my .357.

thndrchiken · July 20th, 2012, 06:14 PM

They say you should load plated bullets to lead velocities, I have been loading 45 and 38/357 to jacketed velocities without issue. I would load some up both ways and see which your gun likes better.

shootist · July 20th, 2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick0410

I reload for .38/.357 and I use a 9mm taper crimp die for the revolver rounds. You need to just put of tiny bit of crimp past straightening out the bell. I've emailed berry's a few times and my understanding is that if you stay below 1200 fps, your fine. I load my .38,.357, and 9mm Berrys with FMJ recipes all the time. I use Alliant powders and I everytime I switch powder, I use their charge and seating depth. I actually just got back from shooting a load I tried for the first time, 100rnds of another 9mm using their charge for Unique and their seating depth. It worked great like always, it was a little hot, but thats how I like to load 9mm so I'm glad I reloaded 600 of them before I left for vacation

That works to crimp 357, but still wonder what he does to crimp 44 mag? never could understand why Berry's don't have any offerings in cantalured bullets? they would get lots of business from me if they did.

shootist · July 20th, 2012, 06:44 PM

Just looked at Berry's site haven't been on there in awhile, the price they want for plated 44 bullets is higher than I can buy Montana Gold jacketed bullets for thats to much.

Nick0410 · July 20th, 2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

Just looked at Berry's site haven't been on there in awhile, the price they want for plated 44 bullets is higher than I can buy Montana Gold jacketed bullets for thats to much.

For 250 or 1000? I noticed the price of my stuff went up for 250 but 1000 stayed the same

41RED · July 20th, 2012, 06:52 PM

I've shot Berry's plated bullets for quite awhile. I use the data for the XTP in the manuals and keep the velocities down to 1200. I use a Lee factory crimp die. Most of the time I tighten the crimp die down till it touches the seated bullet. Back the bullet out and turn the die in 1/2 turn and crimp. If it doesn't look good to me I'll turn it in 1/8 turn and crimp again. I have yet to go beyond 5/8 crimp on any of their bullets (357,41,44,45)and haven't cut into a jacket yet. I've also used Rainier with the same results. No problem with bullet creep either.

BRL · July 20th, 2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

...still wonder what he does to crimp 44 mag?

Crimp?

RUT-ROE!

Good point.

I have some Bullseye powder that I would like to use up, and the best I can come up on the Alliant site is 6 grains.

Thanks for all the information.

Don't think I have a .44 taper crimp die.

Buffalo11 · July 21st, 2012, 01:53 PM

That's what the at a Berry's told me.. I do it and it works great for me
wPm

shootist · July 21st, 2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick0410

For 250 or 1000? I noticed the price of my stuff went up for 250 but 1000 stayed the same

Maybe both? If I want plated 44 mag I'll buy them from Powerbondbullets.com instead of Berrys, a lot less money plus theirs have a cantalure.

Nick0410 · July 21st, 2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

Maybe both? If I want plated 44 mag I'll buy them from Powerbondbullets.com instead of Berrys, a lot less money plus theirs have a cantalure.

Maybe in .44, but for 9mm and .38, Berrys is still cheaper. I mean their 158gr .38s are $2 bucks more so thats not bad if you need crimping grove but both their 125gr .38s are 7 bucks more and their 115gr 9mms are 11 bucks more. Same with .40 caliber 165gr but the 180gr is as $0.50 difference.

So I would say .40 or smaller go with Berrys
.44 and .45 go with powerbond

Good lesson is to look around for different cals, bullet styles because if one company is cheaper in one, its not always cheaper

BRL · July 21st, 2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalo11

That's what the at a Berry's told me.. I do it and it works great for me
wPm

That's good to hear Buffalo11!

I had a friend visit Cabella's and get bullets for me, and appearently there wasn't a great selection there that day.

..about $50 for 200, after tax...

Hey, it was nice of him to go!

I'm hoping that bullet tension on the case will surfice.

I'll try enough crimp to close the flair.

shootist · July 21st, 2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick0410

Maybe in .44, but for 9mm and .38, Berrys is still cheaper. I mean their 158gr .38s are $2 bucks more so thats not bad if you need crimping grove but both their 125gr .38s are 7 bucks more and their 115gr 9mms are 11 bucks more. Same with .40 caliber 165gr but the 180gr is as $0.50 difference.

So I would say .40 or smaller go with Berrys
.44 and .45 go with powerbond

Good lesson is to look around for different cals, bullet styles because if one company is cheaper in one, its not always cheaper

Trouble is Berry prices so high now even 38/357 is higher than Montana gold's jacketed hollow points that are canalured and way better of a bullet.