Anyone loading Berry's 147 gr 9 mm?

[Trooperdan]

I'm using Titegroup but am open to suggestions to another powder. Currently dropping 3.3 gr under the Berry 147 Gr RN with an OAL of 1.135. If you are using this bullet, what is your OAL?

I'm loading for Glocks, mainly a 17 and a 43. This load is mild, 100 percent function in the 17, a bit stout in the 43. Will likely change to a lighter bullet for that after some more accuracy tests.

 

[Rogeronimo]

Herco is one to beat. Not saying it doesn't happen on a regular basis, but heavy 9s like this powder.

 

[Calliope]

I'm loading Berry's 147 gr at 1.160". That's pretty long, but I'm shooting a 9mm 1911. 4.2 grains N340.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I load them for .38 super more than 9mm. Works good.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Shoving that long, .672" (+/-) into a short 9mm case will cut down
the amount of case volume, left for your powder.

You will find out in a hurry that Unique powder fills up the case
with as little as 3.8grs with a OAL of 1.165".

While HS-6 is able to add 2 more grains of powder even with a
short OAL of 1.13".

My maximum seating for this long bullet weigh is .30" at 1.13" OAL.
A longer OAL will reduce pressures and might also do better in
your weapon with light target loads. You just need to see what
your pistol likes, best.

My 3.5" C9 likes Red Dot at 831fps for a light target load, where
my 5" barrel liked Green Dot and CFE Pistol at 850-890fps.

I did not do max loads with this Ball type bullet, since it is generally
used for a target loading.
However it will do 1040fps in a 5" barrel, if needed.

W231 will work with this BIG bullet but it was not the best powder for best accuracy.
It will do for just practice and fun loads. though.

Have fun.

1st test in my 5" with the Berry 147gr RN plated bullet....... vs a 3.5" C9.

 

[Road_Clam]

I load the Berrys 147's for subsonic through my Uzi . 3.6 gr of Titegroup gets me about 970 fps and excellent functioning. Uzis can be a bit tricky to cycle reliably.

 

[RGPM1A]

Berries 147s over 4 grains Power pistol works great for me. About 860fps

 

[fordson]

I load them in 38Super and 357 Sig, so OAL and load data would be different. They are good bullets, especially if you can get them on sale.

 

[H Richard]

Try some Accurate #5.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Sure: I use...

Try some Accurate #5.

...4.8gr #5 @1.159", plinks into a CZ75 barrel like a dream.

And you, sir?

Cheers!

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Please enlighten...

I load them in 38Super and 357 Sig, so OAL and load data would be different. They are good bullets, especially if you can get them on sale.

...me re: your 357 SIG loads and this bullet: I've been using plated 124gr RAINIER HP's for my standard range loads and a plated 147gr piques my interest.

Thanks in advance (I hope?)!

P.S. Just got 1K last month: you are 100%, these are a great deal on sale and with FREE shipping!

 

[Nevada Ed]

TG and Bullseye do about the same thing.
In a 5" Bullseye gets 995fps and in my 3.5" it does 958fps.

For your G43, this fast powder can get around 828fps with a starting load
which might feel a lot better in that smaller weapon, of yours.
This light load also shot to POA, at 15 yards, for me.

Berry 147 RN .

 

[Nevada Ed]

OAL

OAL for a flat base 147gr RN plated bullet (Berry)

Here is a picture of a 9mm case, showing its wall thickness.

Lighter weight bullets will not enter this area but the large .64"
bullets can and will, depending on their design.

To prevent "Case Bulge" and high pressures, some manuals state
not to seat this long bullet, deeper than .30" for best results.

I follow this advise.
Just a heads up and enjoy the picture from the net, with my notes.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Shoving that long, .672" (+/-) into a short 9mm case will cut down
the amount of case volume, left for your powder.

You will find out in a hurry that Unique powder fills up the case
with as little as 3.8grs with a OAL of 1.165".

While HS-6 is able to add 2 more grains of powder even with a
short OAL of 1.13".

My maximum seating for this long bullet weigh is .30" at 1.13" OAL.
A longer OAL will reduce pressures and might also do better in
your weapon with light target loads. You just need to see what
your pistol likes, best.

My 3.5" C9 likes Red Dot at 831fps for a light target load, where
my 5" barrel liked Green Dot and CFE Pistol at 850-890fps.

I did not do max loads with this Ball type bullet, since it is generally
used for a target loading.
However it will do 1040fps in a 5" barrel, if needed.

W231 will work with this BIG bullet but it was not the best powder for best accuracy.
It will do for just practice and fun loads. though.

Have fun.

1st test in my 5" with the Berry 147gr RN plated bullet....... vs a 3.5" C9.

That unique load isn't too shabby. Funny, Unique is one of the most underused and yet most versatile powders in my cabinet. I may have to try some 130/147 gr loads myself.

 

[342ti]

Just got done loading 1k Berry’s FP/HP 147gr bullets, a discontinued, older style bullet, got a deal on 1k of them. After trying to find a suitable OAL/powder charge, I found out why they’re discontinued! I had to load them down to 1.055-1-060” OAL, in order to chamber in my G19x & M9A3, the bullet profile was very odd. Truncated cone, box said Target HP. Loaded them over 3.0grs Bullseye, through trial & error. It was worth it, SUPER accuracy, NO recoil, 100% reliability!

 

[Nevada Ed]

135 &147

Here is a picture of a 135 semi-FN & 147 RN , both plated
out of my 5" barrel with a starting load of Green Dot powder.

Also a info "location" of a minimum loading of w231, shot earlier.
I prefer loads that shot high or low and not to the side.....

Some bullets shoot ok at a low fps but they can also improve
with more powder in this pistol, at around 1020fps.

Tight groups........

 

[STORMINORMAN]

You have me all confused...

OAL for a flat base 147gr RN plated bullet (Berry)

Here is a picture of a 9mm case, showing its wall thickness.

Lighter weight bullets will not enter this area but the large .64"
bullets can and will, depending on their design.

To prevent "Case Bulge" and high pressures, some manuals state
not to seat this long bullet, deeper than .30" for best results.

I follow this advise.
Just a heads up and enjoy the picture from the net, with my notes.

Nevada Ed: your image shows "1.13" oal Max"...

Don't you really mean MINIMUM...? Your text warns of loading too short.

I load these much longer, BTW.

Cheers!

 

[Nevada Ed]

1.13" is the max bullet seating.............
which puts it at .296" into the case.

I guess I should have explained it a little better.
I changed max to minimum, for future readers.

I think most of us know that the maximum OAL for the 9mm is 1.169".........

However, that length does not work for my little 115gr FMJ bullets.
Maybe my box of bullets is shorter than normal?

I have tried this Berry at 1.165" but it did not shoot well but
the Speer TMJ 147 at that long OAL shot great in my 3.5" C9 pistol.
You never know.......

 

[rwsmith]

I experimented with some.....

...9mm bullets heavier than 147 and found Acc #7 and Power Pistol to work well. And yeah, doing that uses up volume in a 9mm case really fast.

You shouldn't have any problem with 147 gr though. Try some 165 gr jobs. I had to compress the loads and it often swelled the case as to be unusable.

 

[Joe4d]

Stick with the tight group,, Still one of the most used powders in action shooting USPSA sports, with the 147 gr bullet being the most poplar. Molst folks running 2.8-3 grs, to get them about 884 fps which makes required Power factor plus some to spare. May or may not cycle if you are running stock springs.
OAL is determined by your barrel throat and the plunk test. Pull barrel rounds should drop in , spin and fall out freely. Also magazine length can come to play.
Generally load OAL to function correctly, then adjust powder to get velocity you want. Some folks nay say Tightgroup,, yet overwelming numbers of people still used it at last Nationals. It works, its consistent and its readily available and cheap. Works good for light to medium loads.
That being said, far better bullet deals than Berry's. I quit using them decades ago do to crazy pricing. You can get jacketed for less than they charge. Plus lost of casters making Poly coated cast for about $70 per k.