Berry Bullets

[A-300 Dave]

I have loaded over 2000 of their 155 gr .40 cal using the Nosler 9 manual data without issue'

 

[gwpercle]

With Berry's Plated bullets I use the 357 Magnum - Rifle Data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook , 4th edition ...
I load to 1200-1300 fps velocity as given from the rifle's longer barrel .
I get better accuracy at 1200-1300 fps vel.
Gary

 

[gregdr01]

I've fired 4,100 of Berry's .500-caliber 350gr TMJ bullets in 500 S&W revolvers and rifles, from 3" to 20" barrel, and never once had an issue. These bullets are rated to 2,000 fps, and while most of the loads were in the 1,200 - 1,700 fps range, I exceed 2k fps 5 times (in the 20"). Nothing happened, although I don't *try* to exceed their fps cap, and don't suggest others do so, as the bullet plating can disintegrate.

 

[Dump1567]

I bought some for 9mm to use with my Dillon 550. Every so often the plating scrapes off on the case rim which will prevent the bullet from chambering. I even opened-up the feed die and that kind of helped. I didn't have that problem with FMJ bullets and won't buy these again for my progressive machine. I'll still use them for my single press.

 

[rockquarry]

Anyone ever done a side-by-side 25 yard benchrested accuracy comparison of plated bullets vs. a comparable cast bullet (that fits)?

I tried an unknown brand of plated 148 gr. .38 wadcutter some years ago. Accuracy was horrible in comparison with my own cast H&G #50 WC bullet. I've avoided plated bullets since, but there may be some good ones available. Curious.

 

[GypsmJim]

benchrested accuracy comparison...........vs. a bullet that fits

THAT 's the key. I personally believe that anyone can reliably use any cast, coated, plated or jacketed bullet as long as it is sized to the barrel.

 

[rockquarry]

THAT 's the key. I personally believe that anyone can reliably use any cast, coated, plated or jacketed bullet as long as it is sized to the barrel.

I agree with you to a point.

I know nothing about coated bullets and probably won't use them until the guys that know cast bullet accuracy best, the Cast Bullet Association competitors start using them regularly. So far that hasn't happened. I've had one experience with plated bullets and it wasn't good from an accuracy perspective, so my comments on those aren't worth much. I've read on the Internet that plated bullets don't generally shoot as well as good cast bullets. Considering the source, who knows if there is truth to that statement without doing formal testing.

However, in most instances, jacketed bullets are quite forgiving if the diameter isn't quite right for the bore (and cylinder throats in a revolver). They'll still shoot accurately, at least most of the time. Cast bullets, however, make you pay for your mistakes. They need to be right; good fit. If you have that and your alloy is right for the load, they will shoot as well or better than jacketed in any handgun chambering.

 

[rwsmith]

I’ve used tens of thousands of Berry’s bullets and I think they are great folks.

I would not choose to use them in a rifle at .357 Magnum speeds, I believe that goes beyond the scope of their design. I would use them at .38 Special pressure and velocity in a rifle.

That's what I heard. X-Treme's 'heavy plated' bullets are limited to 1800 fps.

I just looked it up. Their 'Superior Plated' bullets are good for 1500 fps,

 

[rockquarry]

I shoot my own cast bullets and am not familiar with commercial bullet prices, but are plated bullets a lot cheaper than jacketed ones? If so, I can see some appeal.

 

[pwlibby]

I bought some 9 mm bullets and found them to be very good. Then I bought some .38, .41 and .45. I was too impulsive.

The .41s and 45s were both undersized. Although the .45s worked ok in my 1911, they were dismal in my Long Colt Blackhawk. The performance in my model 57 was worse than dismal.

I called their customer service and told them that my bullets were 0.408-0.409. First he questioned if I measured them correctly. Then he said they were within their manufacturing tolerances.

I've used most of the others up, and I won't be re-ordering. The 0.409s were thrown in the trash.

Had the same with 9mm. I believe my expander die aggravated the issue by being at the low end of spec. None the less the Berry's were undersized and inaccurate

 

[Kp321]

I know this thread is about Berry’s bullets but the velocity limits are inherent to any plated bullet. I have gone to RMR pistol bullets with very good success. The RMR’s are jacketed and don’t have the velocity limits that plated do, same or lower prices too.

 

[oldcorps76]

to Berry's. Save myself casting time and no more leading, for a comparatively small cost.

 

[GypsmJim]

to Berry's. Save myself casting time and no more leading, for a comparatively small cost.

If you had leading with your home cast boolits some tweaking is needed. Lead too hard, too soft, too skinny, too fast, too slow, whatever. Needing to save time is understandable.

 

[sparkyvega]

Me, too.

I like em!

 

[bph9]

I cast my own that way I can control what diameter they will be either through sizing or even getting custom oversize molds made. Its a lot cheaper than buying buying bullets.

My "hard cast" bullets I lent out to a couple of deer hunters and they went wild over them. In my younger days I would cast for them. Too much work today except for my own use.

 

[mtgianni]

Anyone ever done a side-by-side 25 yard benchrested accuracy comparison of plated bullets vs. a comparable cast bullet (that fits)?

I tried an unknown brand of plated 148 gr. .38 wadcutter some years ago. Accuracy was horrible in comparison with my own cast H&G #50 WC bullet. I've avoided plated bullets since, but there may be some good ones available. Curious.

Not a ransom rest type just from a outers rest. I got 1000 200 gr 40 cal plated and 1500 180 gr ones in an estate. My current load was the Lee copy of the Lyman 40043 bullet at 175 gr. In a 10mm Glock model 40 pushed to the max both plated bullets outshot my powder coated bullets by at least 1/2" at 25 yards. Whether the weight difference was the difference I can't say. The 200 gr were shot first and after 3 rounds of 10 shot groups with different loads, fatigue could have been a factor.