I took some of the loads I worked up using Berry's plated bullets and loaded XTP bullets instead. The results were excellent and met my initial goals. Here are the XTP loads I tested: ( I also added this data to my original post)
Hand Loads Using Hornady 250 GR XTPs:
All loads below used Starline cases, primers as noted, Hornady 250 GR XTP bullets, an OAL of 1.595", and used a Lee FCD with a light crimp (firm contact + 1/2 turn).
Unique 8.8 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 785 FPS - 344 ft-lbs - 43 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 11.5
Unique 9.0 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 823 FPS - 378 ft-lbs - 41 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 12.7 <-- good load
Unique 9.2 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 830 FPS - 384 ft-lbs - 45 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 13.3 <-- good load
CFE Pistol 9.2 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 779 FPS - 338 ft-lbs - 44 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 13.9
Power Pistol 9.0 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 800 FPS - 357 ft-lbs - 17 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 5.6 <-- excellent load!
Power Pistol 9.2 Grains - CCI 300 Primer - 825 FPS - 379 ft-lbs - 23 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 7.3 <-- excellent load!
Observations:
Power Pistol powder seems to stand out. It produces very consistent velocities, good accuracy (as good as can be expected from the Governor), and does not seem to care much if you use standard or magnum primers.
Unique and CFE-Pistol require magnum primers in the short barreled Governor to get the velocities to be consistent.
None of the XTP loads tested showed any pressure signs.
The XTP loads were all fairly pleasant to shoot. I do not think any recoiled as much as many of the 410 defensive offerings do.
The XTP loads were far more accurate than the Berry's plated loads.
Plated bullets are not ideal for use in the Governor due to the oversize cylinder bore which lets blow-by peel the plating off.
Disclaimer: Some of these loads are sure to produce more than the SAAMI allowed 14,000 PSI. The Governor is rated for 45 ACP, which has an allowable pressure of 21,000 PSI. Please refer to your loading manuals to determine if these loads are safe for your firearm. I based some of my charges on an article in Handloader magazine volume 246, which lists data for 20,000 PSI loads. They show a max Unique charge of 10.0 grains (with standard primer) and a max Power Pistol charge of 9.5 (with standard primer). They were also using 280 grain cast bullets.
Mike