My 1st Berry 124 Hybrid +P test

[Nevada Ed]

First thing that I noticed was that they stood at only .538" high, while the 124 Gold Dots did, .565"
The Gold Dots factory oal is around 1.12" , where Berry askes for 1.09" and Hornady states a short 1.06" oal.

I did notice that the fac. oal for the Berry and Speer, both ended up inside the case by .20", so no big deal.
However, the HHP at a oal of 1.12" only seated at .172", that I think is a little "Thin" for a SD loading.

I started my test with four Hybrids at the Gold Dot 1.12" oal, since I had fps data logged in this pistol from 1050 to 1140fps.

I also loaded two powders that I thought safe to load at a short 1.09" oal
in my "TANK" C9 pistol, to start off with testing out , this new bullet, for the first time, with +P loads.

These loads were all in the +P class and I would advise dropping down, if you want to test this bullet, with "ANY" OAL,
due to the felt recoil that I was getting, by at least, .5 grains.

Sorry no chrony was available for this first outing.

I had the "Shakes " today, so I used a rest, to try to keep the front sight on the target, sorry.

Here is the target and the data, for a 3.5" barrel and my best try at
seeing what this bullet could do with some powders and two different OAL's.

Next trip will be with softer, target loads, all at the 1.09" oal
that will feel a whole lot better.

PS;
I almost forgot.
I was joined with my DnL today and being Lady's night, she got to shoot at half price.
I picked up the bill and gave her 150 rounds of 9mm, to take home, also.
A great time at the range today.

 

[9mmPatriot]

What powder did you use?

 

[Nevada Ed]

What powder did you use?

Is it April 1st, already ?

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Uh, Ed... It just HAD to be more than "10 feet" with a rest...?

Cheers!

 

[WR Moore]

OAL can be very shape/ogive dependent. The key is where the chamber top contact point is during the feed cycle. While the Gold Dots generally run about 1.120 OAL from the factory, I've got Remington factory JHPs (what they now call their High Terminal Performance-not their Golder Saber) that show a 1.090-1.080 OAL depending upon production lot.

Since I used to use a lot of the Remington bullets, my 9 mm seating die is set for that OAL range. Seems to work fine with no signs of evil pressures even at +P velocity levels.

With Gold Dots at that OAL, I got +P velocities with a few tenth grains less powder than listed max with BE-86.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

We gotta get you a chronograph, Ed.

Do you have any CFE-P? That's what I have been using with 124gr Berry's lately. The accuracy seems good.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Uh, Ed... It just HAD to be more than "10 feet" with a rest...?

Cheers!

I'm getting old;

You are correct, young man.
Now that I think about it, that machine, selection was.....
9 yards, not feet.
I feel better, already !!

 

[Nevada Ed]

We gotta get you a chronograph, Ed.

Do you have any CFE-P? That's what I have been using with 124gr Berry's lately. The accuracy seems good.

Thanks for the offer;

however I do have a chrony, just that this shooting range will not let me set one up
even in one of their spare "Special" teaching rooms, away from the main big room that has 9-10 stalls

and yes, my next test will have CFE & HS-6 added to the loads.

 

[Nevada Ed]

OAL can be very shape/ogive dependent. The key is where the chamber top contact point is during the feed cycle. While the Gold Dots generally run about 1.120 OAL from the factory, I've got Remington factory JHPs (what they now call their High Terminal Performance-not their Golder Saber) that show a 1.090-1.080 OAL depending upon production lot.

Since I used to use a lot of the Remington bullets, my 9 mm seating die is set for that OAL range. Seems to work fine with no signs of evil pressures even at +P velocity levels.

With Gold Dots at that OAL, I got +P velocities with a few tenth grains less powder than listed max with BE-86.

I tested the 124 Gold Dot 9mm at a OAL of 1.08"
but I had poor accuracy and a few feeding problems with the shorter length.
The 115 & 124 GD bullets work for my pistols at 1.12" OAL.

However the Berry 124 THP plated bullet is fantastic at a 1.075" OAL
in my 3 to 5" barrels.

Tight groups.

 

[tankpondman]

Following!

with much interest. The Berrys 124 HHP is my go to 9mm bullet!

 

[Paul in Nevada]

...and yes, my next test will have CFE & HS-6 added to the loads.

I tried 5.3gr CFE-P with the standard RN 124gr Berry's. COL 1.160. I was getting 1100fps out of a 3.6" P320C. This has been my best load so far. I have not tried +P loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

With a 124gr GDHP bullet for the 9mm Speer recommends and OAL of 1.120" on their bullet/caliber specific load data sheet.

With their 115gr GDHP the recommended OAL is 1.125" and with the 147gr GDHP they list 1.130".

A search on the NET will allow you to.verify the numbers. (always verify numbers you get on forums or anywhere else other than published data)

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Berry's doesn't give load data but they do list COL for all their bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Berry's doesn't give load data but they do list COL for all their bullets.

My apologies, I thought you were asking about the Speer GDHP bullet. I need to learn how to read better, sorry!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Berry's doesn't give load data but they do list COL for all their bullets.

I like the Berry site, since it does list the lengths of their bullets.

Many manuals only give a OAL, which leaves you in the dark.
Is that a max or a minimum OAL?
Hay, I'm not a mind reader. Give me a break.

There;
I feel better, now.