Plated Bullets

[Bullseye Smith]

Hey everyone, I just got some plated bullets from Berry's, do I load them like a lead bullet or a jacketed bullet? That is the question of the day, I think I know the answer - but not for sure. Part is I have never loaded plated before .

 

[FrankD45]

Use lead loads and be careful with the crimp. The plating is thin and an overly hard crimp can tear the plating. I think, depending on caliber, you should keep velocity under 1000 fps.

I hope that helps,

Frank

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Thanks, that is what I was thinking myself but wasn't sure. I'm loading 38 short colt and it will be right at 1000fps.

 

[Dragon88]

I use jacketed load data. Plated bullets are somewhere between cast and jacketed in how much resistance they offer going down the bore, so either can be used to a certain extent. Use a light crimp. As for velocity:

Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's

 

[Chuck Jones]

Standard cast lead data is fine as is.

Use starting the load levels with jacketed data or reduce max levels by 10%.

/c

 

[OKFC05]

I use Berry bullets by the tens of thousands in .38 Special, and chrono to get desired power factors for competition.
I've always had to increase the load a bit to get the same speed as lead, but I start with moderate lead bullet data. Beware of very light loads with plated, because they will stick easier than lead. And accuracy goes to pot if you go too fast.

 

[blujax01]

I am a noob at loading and a sponge for information. One of the first things I was taught here was "always start with the bullet". Manuals do not really address plated bullets except with the general "10% less than jacketed" statement which I think is misleading.
Although plated bullets fall somewhere somehow between cast and jacketed, they are their own entity and I think they need to be treated as such. Every bullet manufacturer has a web site. Be guided by what you read there.
I'm loading Berry's in my 38. Per Berry's web site, their plated bullets are tested and recommended for velocities up to 1200 fps and no more than 1250 fps. So for instance in my 38 Spl., I use Titegroup at 4.5 grains under a 125 grain HP. This is the maximum recommended load in the Lyman manual. It keeps me below the 1200 fps threshold, yields a comfortable 915 fps and makes for a very accurate round.

So I guess my answer is "neither".

 

[Win75]

I checked with Berry's and was told to "load like lead".

 

[Dave T]

I saw something from them saying lab tests showed their plated bullets producing the same pressure profile as hard cast lead alloy bullets. My choronograph tests show just about the same performance as listed in the latest Lyman manual for their bullets cast from linotype.

Dave

 

[ric426]

I'd like to try some Berry's .38 HBWC's in my PPC gun, but don't have access to a chronograph during the winter to find the recommended 800fps. I've been using WST for my light indoor loads. I'd like the duplicate the performance of those loads, but I certainly don't want to leave one in the barrel. Any recommendations on how much to bump the load up?