"Best" brand of plated bullets??

sjmjax · Sep 13, 2011

I know many here use plated bullets and may have preferences based on price or convenience of purchase.

But, has anyone done actual side by side comparisons of similar size & type bullets from different manufacturers and come up with an objective opinion regarding which are better.

Better meaning more consistent size, weight, accuracy [when shot with same load in the same gun]?

Appreciate any input as I'm planning a large volume purchase in .38/.357, .44 and .45 for a long term experiment in some of my favorite revolvers. I'm looking to reduce personal lead exposure and barrel leading but don't want to sacrifice accuracy.

My only experience is with Rainier's. While they are very clean to handle and eliminated some leading issues, I've been disappointed in their accuracy when compared to cast or swaged lead bullets of the same weight & type.

novalty · Sep 13, 2011

I found Berry's to be very consistant to weight and size.

WoodSmith · Sep 13, 2011

Berry's

No help for the calibers you're interested in, but I shoot Berry's 124 gr. HBFN in a 38 Super Auto with excellent results.

AllAces · Sep 13, 2011

Berry's Plated Bullets Highly Recommended

Berry's Plated Bullets

OKFC05 · Sep 13, 2011

Berry "double struck" have been the most consistent in size and weight.

However, for my purposes, I have quit using plated bullets in .357, 9mm, and .40 S&W due to increase in group size at the higher velocities. Plated bullets are not really suited to magnum velocities, as the manufacturer states.

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.
Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â

Dragon88 · Sep 13, 2011

Berry's.

..

mark454 · Sep 13, 2011

I use Berry's 9mm 124 grain Double Struck bullets in my Glock. It works well for me and is very accurate. Because it does all that I ask of it, I have never tried another brand. Every other cartridge gets lead bullets.
Mark

halco46 · Sep 13, 2011

Bullets

I`m using Ranier`s 230grRn. No problems with them.

PattonTime · Sep 13, 2011

Plated Bullets

I have had great overall luck with Berry's for the most part they have done what I want them to do.
One exception is for 44 caliber, I have been shooting a brand called Frontier
out of South Africa of all places.
What I like about them, is that they are hard cast , then plated .
This allows them to have a cannalure, which I really like for my revolvers.
I sure do like Berry's plated HBWC for 38 Special though !!
I have also used them pooped up just a bit as a light load in a 357 magnum, about 1000fps they have worked just as well in 357 as 38 special.
I do not like to shoot 38 specials in my 357 magnum guns so this has given me a great reduced load, in the correct case.
YMMV

wantmoresmiths · Sep 13, 2011

Since I have not tried the Rainer bullets, I can not comment on them other than the fact that they are slightly more expensive than both Berry's and Extreme. I have had good luck with both Berry's and Extreme plated bullets in 9mm, 38 (not loaded to 357 velocities) and 40. I do find both brands to be as accurate as any cast bullets I have used.

TAROMAN · Sep 14, 2011

+ whatever. As the others have said, Berry's are my choice, too.
I like their selection, quality, and fast, free shipping.

blujax01 · Sep 14, 2011

Another vote for Berry's. I have loaded 9 mm, .38 Spl and .45 ACP. The .38 and .45 were especially accurate and once I throttled back the velocity on the 9 mm (they ain't lying about keeping the loads in the low-to-midrange-jacket-data!), it quit keyholing and shoots really well.

And the free shipping is a huge plus. A couple thousand bullets weighs 40 pounds.

Postal Dude absolutely hates me!

Simmer down · Sep 14, 2011

Cabela's sells Berry's but its a little bit of a drive for me. I swing through the used gun section and turn the errand into a field trip to rationalize the time and gas.

Berry's MFG · Sep 14, 2011

I appreciate the votes of confidence from the forum! I will say that my competitors make a good product and our niche has always been price sensitive, my advice is buy the best priced plated and you should be happy. Take a look at Powder Valley as well, they are very aggressive on price. I know because I field a lot of complaints from dealers about their cheap online prices.

Berry's MFG · Sep 14, 2011

PattonTime said:
I have had great overall luck with Berry's for the most part they have done what I want them to do.
One exception is for 44 caliber, I have been shooting a brand called Frontier
out of South Africa of all places.
What I like about them, is that they are hard cast , then plated .
This allows them to have a cannalure, which I really like for my revolvers.
I sure do like Berry's plated HBWC for 38 Special though !!
I have also used them pooped up just a bit as a light load in a 357 magnum, about 1000fps they have worked just as well in 357 as 38 special.
I do not like to shoot 38 specials in my 357 magnum guns so this has given me a great reduced load, in the correct case.
YMMV

I totally agree with you on the .44 bullet, you really have to be easy on the load with that caliber, the .357 as well. For the experienced loaders like you guys that understand the bullet design as well as it's limitations, you're able to get the max performance out of it. It's difficult for the novice loader that hasn't had the trial and error we've been through, but that's where the forums have helped with the Q and A.

novalty · Sep 14, 2011

I pick up my Berry's at Cabelas and use my Cabelas points to purchase, also try to pick up when they are having a discount promotion going on. However, it does appear much cheaper to order online through Berry's direct. Which is where I am planning on ordering next.

Maximumbob54 · Sep 14, 2011

Berry's double struck have been good. I bought some of Rainier's and found them to be so so in accuracy but I never tried measuring them with a caliper to see if they were off. All the X-Treme bullets I have bought have been flawless. They are also double struck just like Berry's. That's where they swage them in the die, plate them, and then swage them in the die again for uniformity if this isn't understood. You can see it on the X-Treme bullets at the bottom since it has a dished look to it after the second strike. I have also used their double plated rifle bullets in .30-30 and will buy them again if I ever can't cast my own.

Ursoboostd · Sep 17, 2011

I only buy Berry's when I can't buy Xtremes. -Wade-

X-Treme Bullets

Vartarg · Sep 17, 2011

Berry

I like and use Berry's bullets in 9mm, 45ACP and 38 Special

williamlayton · Sep 17, 2011

I have used Zero for awhile now--I like them.
Have not bought ANY for a couple of years now.
Blessings

"Best" brand of plated bullets??

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