Berry’s Hybrid hollow points

BB57 · Dec 8, 2021

In the course of doing some ballistic testing with sig V crown bullets in 9mm I came across Berry’s 124 gr Hybrid Hollow points and thought I’d see how they do for an inexpensive option.

The results were mixed as the bullets appear to have a very narrow envelope where the will perform well.

For example when fired from a 4” Kimber Pro Carry in 9mm at around 1120-1130 FPS. They expanded extremely well but slightly under penetrated coming just short of the FBI 12” minimum:

(The second bullet came apart while digging it out of the gel. They fully expand leaving very little “base”.)

On the other hand when fired from the 3” Kimber Micro 9 at around 1040-1050 FPS expansion was poor to non existent and they slightly over penetrated:

That’s a big difference in penetration for an 80 FPS difference in velocity.

I suspect the sweet spot is very close to 1075 FPS and if that could be attained and then verified in your particular pistol, it would be a good self defense bullet.

Short of that, it would be very hard to predict performance.

teletech · Dec 8, 2021

That narrow a velocity window is a wish at best, I'm sure the particulars of one's reloading setup, firearm, and environment make that very challenging without even thinking about target distance and clothing.
I bought some of those years ago but hoped to never have to carry them for real. They're all long shot up, so that's a relief. I suspect it's still better than the ball projectiles they sell in that they will at least sometimes expand.

BB57 · Dec 8, 2021

teletech said:
That narrow a velocity window is a wish at best, I'm sure the particulars of one's reloading setup, firearm, and environment make that very challenging without even thinking about target distance and clothing.
I bought some of those years ago but hoped to never have to carry them for real. They're all long shot up, so that's a relief. I suspect it's still better than the ball projectiles they sell in that they will at least sometimes expand.

I’d argue that FMJ is preferred as at least it’s performance is predictable.

Nevada Ed · Dec 8, 2021

If used for SD.............

one had better have a fast powder that will have a minimum ES for
those Berry plated HP bullets at around 1186 fps.

I think I will get the speer, sierra or federal stuff, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the information, though.

pasound · Dec 8, 2021

No experience with the Berry's 9mm, but their .38 and .44 rounds shoot nearly equal to POA with any cast bullet reload I've made for the same calibers. Maybe they need to be loaded to published cast bullet charges.

STORMINORMAN · Dec 8, 2021

Typically at $0.15 each, certainly for a SD practice round at least, their performance seems reasonable...

Their site suggests 1050-1150 fps and 11-13" penetration for the 124gr. Seems the OP did pretty close on a 1st try. Interesting to see what some factory HPs get out of a 3" barrel?

Cheers!

P.S. Quite often one hears the bemoaning of expansion coupled with overpenatration. I don't really aspire to being in "FBI-type" situations

for the most part... Just IMHO.

BB57 · Dec 9, 2021

STORMINORMAN said:
Typically at $0.15 each, certainly for a SD practice round at least, their performance seems reasonable...

Their site suggests 1050-1150 fps and 11-13" penetration for the 124gr. Seems the OP did pretty close on a 1st try. Interesting to see what some factory HPs get out of a 3" barrel?

Cheers!

P.S. Quite often one hears the bemoaning of expansion coupled with overpenatration. I don't really aspire to being in "FBI-type" situations for the most part... Just IMHO.

The Sig V crown did pretty well in my other post in the 3” Kimber, although the expansion wasn’t quite a good as it was in the 4” and in particular 8” barrels.

Some will argue the V crown was a bit long on penetration in both 3” and 4” barrels. But it wasn’t egregiously so, and I can pick up an extra 50 FPS or so using a different powder.

——

Still the Berry’s Hybrid bullets are inexpensive and would make good practice ammo. And for what it’s worth, launched with sufficient velocity (1100 FPS) I would not want to get shot with one, even if they do under penetrate slightly. The FBI’s 12” minimum is based on a lot of assumptions including assailants shot at other than face to face aspect angles. The average armed citizen in a self defense shoot is less likely to be shooting an assailant from the side and through an arm, as there’s less likely to be an imminent threat at that angle. 10” would be plenty in the vast majority of situations and the expansion is impressive, when it is going fast enough to expand.

——

I’m generally in the school of thought that if you need a handgun with a 15 round magazine and a couple of spares, you are probably someplace you would not have gone in the first place if you had any common sense.

But sometimes you don’t have much choice. If I am going someplace I would not normally go (unless I absolutely have to) I carry the Kimber Micro in a back pocket. It’s there to hand to my non gun carrying but handgun proficient spouse (or other handgun proficient person) to lead the way back out of whatever we got ourselves into, while I cover our retreat from the rear.

If you get yourself in a situation where you have to shoot, it’s often arguably already an SA fail.

Nevada Ed · Dec 9, 2021

As a note;

I got one of Berry's JHP plated bullets set at 1.075" OAL with BE-86 out of a 5"..............
up to 1233 fps.

They gave a cluster of four and one flyer that made the group move out to 1.26" at 10 yards........
slow two hand ,off hand, on a "Good day" at the range.
CFEp gave me............... 1222 fps.

STORMINORMAN · Dec 10, 2021

Over 1200fps with any plated bullet in 9mm is pretty much "up there" IMHO, even with their HBRN-TP & HBFP-TP which are supposed to be good for up to 1500... I have had good results with the FP in 357 SIG for range loads that approach some factory HP velocities. Much less expen$ive to practice with!

According to their website you're right near their recommended 1250fps limit for the Target HP. Hodgdons recommended OAL for the HBFN-TP in 9mm is 1.150" so you might consider maybe loading them a bit longer if that works for you...?

Just to be on the safe side?

Cheers!

Nevada Ed · Dec 26, 2021

I don't care for Hodgdons 9mm OAL on it's loads.

The Berry HBP has a oal of 1.15" but that is used to get more powder into the case for higher fps with their 800-x powder.

The "HAP" HP design is set at a very short 1.069" that can cause high pressures
as well as the FMJ with a short 1.09" for only 1162fps at a 33k PSI......
another high pressure load for a standard factory fps load !!

This was using "Their" powders and data.

If you check my loads, the above seem to be wattered down or at least not set up for the best developed loads.

mikld · Dec 26, 2021

Just my experience with Berrys 9mm plated 124 gr HP. I purchased some 9mm out of curiosity as my only previous purchase was some 45 cal, 230 gr RN (so-so performance). I set up my Co-Ax and got to the bullet seating step and could not get less than .007" variation (I know some will say that .007" is acceptable, but not for me when .002" vatiation with Hornady XTPs or even my cast 125 gr RF bullets). Tried about 20 bullets, rechecking my dies, press, even brass, still too much variation. I inspected the bullets with my magnifying visor on under strong light and it appeared the ogive was inconsistent. They now reside on the back of the bullet shelf, just in case there are no more bullets or lead available, anywhere...

Just my experience and I'm sure others have had less problems. I haven't purchased anyone's plated bullets since and my SD handloads are premium JHP bullets or my range anno is inexpensive 124 gr JHP (RMR) or my cast.

Nevada Ed · Dec 26, 2021

I have had "Scattered groups" in my different 9mm pistols with plated & coated bullets
but I run them from sloppy slow to maximum, which is hard on a bullet
trying to get good accuracy during the full run of speeds and also with
different powders and OAL lengths.
Lots of "no goods" and a few "Keepers" during these test but it is all just for fun
looking for that one "Golden Load".

I have yet to find a single "Load" that works in all my 9mm's or 38's .......
as well as just one SD "Load".

I don't worry about my target loads but I do like to have a SD load that works well in all my guns.

Pass the bullets, please...........

Berry’s Hybrid hollow points

BB57

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teletech

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BB57

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