Berry's .40 HP

[delta1679]

Hello everyone. I was doing some shopping for bullets on the Berry's site and noticed that they have HP bullets. The photo looks very different than the HPs I've seen or have bought, and was wondering if these are intended for self defense or simply reflect the performance of an actual SD HP bullet for practice?

As an additional question, is there any significant difference in bullets from Berry's or Rainier? I've been using Berry's so far, but am curious.

Thanks for the info in advance as usual!

 

[OKFC05]

I use Berry's extensively for practice, but from what I've seen their hollowpoints don't expand reliably enough for me to consider them for PD use. Most of them recoved from sand haven't expanded at all.

I find there is a slight difference between Berry and Ranier in the achieved power factor for a given amount of powder. Not important unless you are being checked for power factor in competition.

 

[papajohn428]

Don't expect expansion from plated bullets unless you drive them at rifle velocities........which isn't advised. The cores are soft, and you run the risk of a jacket separation. So what are plated HP's good for? I've shot several thousand, and I'm still not sure.

Now I just buy the flatpoints, and save a few bucks per thousand.

 

[Boxerglocker]

Don't expect expansion from plated bullets unless you drive them at rifle velocities........which isn't advised. The cores are soft, and you run the risk of a jacket separation. So what are plated HP's good for? I've shot several thousand, and I'm still not sure.

Now I just buy the flatpoints, and save a few bucks per thousand.

The HP design aerodynamically is more stable in flight thus more accurate. Plated HP's in .40 and 9mm are both favored by competition shooters because of this.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have used both Ranier and Berry's plated HP bullets in the 40S&W. They give the cycling performance of any other HP through your firearm. Blunt nose, etc.

Not sure about the stabilization thing, whatever. They shoot well out of my Glocks, I do know that.

The Berry's bullets are much heavier plated than the Ranier and the HP design is about as different as night and day. Ranier HP bullets resemble the Gold Dot and I think will expand fine at regular pistol velocities, especially the 180gr @ 1000fps. The Berry's, um, not so much because they are plated all the way down into the HP cavity.

Again, they are plated heavier and could be driven harder but getting the performance you want from a HP may be difficult with them.

FWIW

Ranier 40 caliber 180gr HP:

Berry 40 caliber 180gr HP:

 

[delta1679]

Thanks for the great info! Although I can use all the help I can get in terms of accuracy, I'll probably stick stick with the flatnose bullets I've been using for range practice. It's good to be educated on the differences though.

I may also try out the Rainier bullets this time based on convenience. I don't try to push the limits in my reloads, so I think I'll be fine with those especially given the feedback provided in this thread. Thanks again.

 

[fredj338]

NOPE! The Berry's & Ranier HP are for looks & accuracy only. They do not expand reliabley at all. Some fragment, some expand, some just act like FMJ. I have far more consistant expansion using a LHP.

 

[Berry's MFG]

We have a new line of HP's coming this summer, the new machines are on the floor but the final profiles are not quite done. It will be a thicker plated bullet to be more like a Gold Dot than a standard plated bullet. We're after performance with this bullet, one that will properly expand. It's early in development but that is where we are heading.

 

[flgolfer29]

We have a new line of HP's coming this summer, the new machines are on the floor but the final profiles are not quite done. It will be a thicker plated bullet to be more like a Gold Dot than a standard plated bullet. We're after performance with this bullet, one that will properly expand. It's early in development but that is where we are heading.

Thanks for the update Jay, I will be looking for them.

joe

 

[Berry's MFG]

Me too, I have many OEM customers screaming for them. Honestly I don't shoot our current HP, they were not made to expand, but if you have to have a rearward weighted bullet it does that. Our line of hollow based bullets have shown that they are very accurate.

 

[delta1679]

We have a new line of HP's coming this summer, the new machines are on the floor but the final profiles are not quite done. It will be a thicker plated bullet to be more like a Gold Dot than a standard plated bullet. We're after performance with this bullet, one that will properly expand. It's early in development but that is where we are heading.

Thanks for the info! I actually ended up buying the Berry's bullets manufacturer direct rather than rainier. They were a couple of bucks cheaper along with free shipping. Ordered them Wednesday evening and they were in the mailbox today! Can't beat that.