I have a bunch of 125gr Berry's hollow point bullets I use for .38 special reloading but I want to get my feet wet loading 357 Mag and was wondering if anyone has tried using Berry's bullets for mild 357 magnum loads. I know they say the plating can separate from the bullet at magnum velocities......

I'm thinking of using Unique/AA#7/Clays/W231 as my powder (whichever one has a recipe)...

FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities.
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Berry's Manufacturing

that's great but doesn't answer my question....has anyone TRIED Berry's in .357 mag at lower velocities and can share their experience?

If you stay at the lower limits, you can load 357 Mags, they will not be true Magnums but as you state you are starting out on them, it might be a good place to start

The Hodgdon website lists a 125gr lead using W231. start at the low and work up. Most plated bullets are fine in the midrange of FMJ data. I have their plated bullets and have not used this load but would.

125 GR. CAST LRNFP Winchester 231 .358" 1.580" 4.6 1052 13,800 CUP 5.5 1185 18,800 CUP


Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

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I've been loading Berry's 125gr plated flat points, using Win 231 right at the mid point of the above Hodgdon data for 125 gr cast lrnfp. They shot cleaner than lead although not as potent as a magnum load are perfect/accurate for target shooting and plinking.


Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

I've been using Berry's 125 gr. flat points with 7.7 gr. Bullseye in my 686. I've gone through about a thousand of them and love the load. It groups at 1.25 inches from the bag at 25 yards, shoots real flat out to 100, and seems to get there in a hurry. I've got the progressive set up for crankin them out, and will be burning them for awhile. Jim

thanks, this is for a 686 with a 4" barrel so I will give it a shot with some W231 and Bullseye (I do have an 8lb jug of Bullseye I haven't cracked open yet)

If my 8 lb. jug of Bullseye hadn't been opened yet I'd be a happier man than I am right now. Mine's almost empty. I guess an eight pound jug is good for about eight or nine thousand rounds of very accurate, medium power rounds of 357 ammo; or many more 38 Special.

The two books I've got that show the most loads with it are Speer #11, and Lyman 47th. When ya get to thumbing through them, you get to wondering why you would buy any other powder. You can do just about anything with it (within reason).

I haven't seen Berry's 125 gr. hollow-points, and didn't know they existed. I'd be interested in knowing if they are as accurate as the flat points, and if they expand at the 1200 fps velocity that we should be shooting them at.

Happy shooting, and enjoy your Bullseye ya lucky dog. Jim

Rainer plated 125 gr flat point 6.2 gr Unique chrono'd at 934 f/s

It has been my experience with plated bullets that the crimp required for magnum loads will cut the jacket and permit the jacked to peel off and build up in the forcing cone. They seem to work fine in all but Magnum loads.