Experience with Barry’s 9mm HBRN?

[rockquarry]

I prefer to think of it in terms of "Standard Ball"
I put significant dev time into my most used loads.
I might produce them by the bucket and use them by the gallon, but knowing it'll be the most likely thing I'll find a handful of in the clutch, it is typically the most tested and refined loads on the bench

You can call it "standard ball" or anything else, but it remains the same; not the best ammo.

 

[max503]

First measure the bullet diameter. If they are undersized throw them away.

I made the classic mistake of buying 38, 9mm and 41 mag bullets at once on sale and found every single one to be undersized. When inquiring I was told that they were all "within specs". Apparently 0.355 meets the QC requirement. Apparently, all 3 of my barrels must be worn out.

I'm having poor results, accuracy-wise with the 100 grainers meant for the 380. (No wonder I got 1000 for $67.)
Haven't measured them yet. If they are undersized I will powder coat some to see if that will add some bulk.

So people like them. I need to experiment some more.

Edit: They are .356 exactly as advertised. Going to try them in light 38 loads for my Rossi rifle. Probably powder coat some for grins.

 

[Model19man]

My experience is that Titegroup does not give great accuracy in all loadings. Therefore you should try a different powder before you condemn the bullets. Try AA #5, Unique or W231.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Da' proof is in da' puddin'...

IMHO loading minimum "book loads" does not necessarily result in either accuracy or reliable performance. There are exceptions.

If a factory load delivers, finding the correct bullet & powder combination should provide similar results.

For practice and less-than-critical applications this is often close enough.

Cheers!

P.S. To find a desirable factory round and subsequently duplicating and reloading it at a fraction of the cost is quite rewarding, both from a monetary standpoint & just plain ol' satisfaction.

 

[venomballistics]

You can call it "standard ball" or anything else, but it remains the same; not the best ammo.

On your bench maybe.

 

[cracker57]

so some reload to TRY and safe money, some load to make the best ammo for a specific gun.
I don't understand why someone would use plated bullets when FMJ cost about a penny more and are usually more accurate and easier to load.
to each their own.....
shooting sub par ammo is no fun to me, I like smaller groups not just pulling the trigger.

 

[venomballistics]

so some reload to TRY and safe money, some load to make the best ammo for a specific gun.
I don't understand why someone would use plated bullets when FMJ cost about a penny more and are usually more accurate and easier to load.
to each their own.....
shooting sub par ammo is no fun to me, I like smaller groups not just pulling the trigger.

Rainier Ballistics is gone. Pretty much anything plated can do, poly coated can do better with less drama.
I suspect the late Elmer Keith would have been a champion of the coatings if they were available in his time.

 

[BE Mike]

The distances for determining accuracy in a handgun have dramatically decreased in recent years. I recently read an article where someone was training his grown daughter how to shoot a handgun and some of the targets were 3 yards! To me, 25 yards is a minimum distance to determine handgun/ ammo accuracy. For precision pistol competitive shooters and many handgun hunters 50 yards is the distance. Handgun hunters who hunt varmints probably want accuracy at 100 yards and greater.

 

[71vette]

I don’t have a ton of plated rounds down the tube, but in my limited experience I’ve had better results with X-Terme than Barry’s. I’ve had better results with coated than either. I keep my plated loads for shooting through my cans and coated for “accuracy” range time.

 

[rockquarry]

so some reload to TRY and safe money, some load to make the best ammo for a specific gun.
I don't understand why someone would use plated bullets when FMJ cost about a penny more and are usually more accurate and easier to load.
to each their own.....
shooting sub par ammo is no fun to me, I like smaller groups not just pulling the trigger.

I agree, but to many shooters nowadays, mediocre accuracy is good enough.

 

[rockquarry]

The distances for determining accuracy in a handgun have dramatically decreased in recent years. I recently read an article where someone was training his grown daughter how to shoot a handgun and some of the targets were 3 yards! To me, 25 yards is a minimum distance to determine handgun/ ammo accuracy. For precision pistol competitive shooters and many handgun hunters 50 yards is the distance. Handgun hunters who hunt varmints probably want accuracy at 100 yards and greater.

You're right, of course, but shooting up very close is more popular these days and your ammo needn't be very accurate to hit the target at only a few yards.

 

[venomballistics]

The distances for determining accuracy in a handgun have dramatically decreased in recent years. I recently read an article where someone was training his grown daughter how to shoot a handgun and some of the targets were 3 yards! To me, 25 yards is a minimum distance to determine handgun/ ammo accuracy. For precision pistol competitive shooters and many handgun hunters 50 yards is the distance. Handgun hunters who hunt varmints probably want accuracy at 100 yards and greater.

Most of my more promising handgun load candidates see 100 yard plus testing to weed out the tumblers. This flaw doesn't always manifest at 25.
While CCW has been a godsend to our rights. it's had the unfortunate consequence of shifting focus to combat where the statistical ranges are much shorter than our traditional conventions.

 

[BE Mike]

You're right, of course, but shooting up very close is more popular these days and your ammo needn't be very accurate to hit the target at only a few yards.

I agree, so why do these people seem obsessed with how accurate a cartridge is when just about anything that will function their pistols will do?

 

[max503]

The distances for determining accuracy in a handgun have dramatically decreased in recent years. I recently read an article where someone was training his grown daughter how to shoot a handgun and some of the targets were 3 yards! To me, 25 yards is a minimum distance to determine handgun/ ammo accuracy. For precision pistol competitive shooters and many handgun hunters 50 yards is the distance. Handgun hunters who hunt varmints probably want accuracy at 100 yards and greater.

My snubbie or 380 should be able to bounce a pop can on the 50 yard berm.

 

[sjmjax]

Wow, did this thread ever off the rails and into the twilight zone.

All I asked for was advise and personal experiences with a very specific bullet.

However, thanks for your input. I guess. It’s been entertaining but not very helpful.

 

[rockquarry]

Wow, did this thread ever off the rails and into the twilight zone.

All I asked for was advise and personal experiences with a very specific bullet.

However, thanks for your input. I guess. It’s been entertaining but not very helpful.

You're right and I apologize.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

And I thought I was actually on point (for once!)...?

Cheers!

P.S. "Never apologize, Mister: it's a sign of weakness...". Nathan Brittles (aka Marion Morrison, 1949)

 

[rockquarry]

And I thought I was actually on point (for once!)...?

Cheers!

P.S. "Never apologize, Mister: it's a sign of weakness...". Nathan Brittles (aka Marion Morrison, 1949)

If it's a sign of weakness, I'm weak.

 

[Biggfoot44]

You can call it "standard ball" or anything else, but it remains the same; not the best ammo.

The quest for perfection in and of itself is a fine thing .

But a practical level , another angle is " Does XYZ meet or exceed expectations for intended purposes ? " .

If ( particular caliber at particular velocity ) intended primarily for practicing at range facilities with certain maximum distances , if a load will give 1.25 inch groups at 25 , only little gain to try to develope it down to 1.1 inch.

 

[rockquarry]

The quest for perfection in and of itself is a fine thing .

But a practical level , another angle is " Does XYZ meet or exceed expectations for intended purposes ? " .

If ( particular caliber at particular velocity ) intended primarily for practicing at range facilities with certain maximum distances , if a load will give 1.25 inch groups at 25 , only little gain to try to develope it down to 1.1 inch.

I'd say a handgun load that will consistently group 1.25" from a benchrest at 25 yards is pretty accurate.