[scythefwd]

New to the reloading handguns thing. I sized a small bit of 9mm brass a little while ago, just got in my bullets so I decided to load up 100.

Set my pm.. 3.8 on the dot, every throw (PM must really like unique). 124 berrys. My alliant book said 4.4 as max.. the website says 5.8.. I'm going with the more conservative of the two.

Flair my case mouth.

All going good.

Start priming.. argh... some crimped pockets, no big deal, note headstamp and put aside to deal with later...

all primed and ready to go, take one of my sized cases, bell the mouth, and insert a bullet.. time to setup the seating die. Get it seating to exactly 1.13".

Pull dummy out.. and I can see exactly where the bullet sits in the case.. it appears that my sizing die is sizing down the brass to below the diameter of the bullet.. Glad I'm working at a low charge (working up to see what will actually cycle the action reliably). Shoot em or pull em and have the die replaced by the manufacturer?

[Walkalong]

It is normal to see some bulge where the bullet is loaded. The sizer has to size more than needed to handle a variety of case thicknesses. The expander brings it back out to an inner diameter that will give good neck tension. Unless the bulge is really bad, you are fine. do they fit your barrel?

[scythefwd]

drop test works, as well as mag test. The 1911 doesnt like it.. from hand working the action.. the beretta 96freak (96 slab side dao converted to 9mm da/sa, with possibly a frame mounted safety going in later.. its a project). It's obvious.. but I get what you're saying. Its about the thickness of the brass buldge.. I'll mic a bullet and see where its diameter really is. Thanks.

[NeuseRvrRat]

as long as they chamber, go shoot em.

[Sam1911]

That's perfectly normal. I shoot a lot of cast lead (which are larger than jacketed) and I can see the base of almost every bullet "through" the case.

Not a worry.

Hand-cycling doesn't often work well with handguns. Go shoot some and see if it feeds.

[beatledog7]

The bulge around the bullet bearing surface means you have good neck tension. It's the lack of any bulge that indicates a potential problem.

[natgas]

'coke bottle' look is normal; sounds like they should be good to go

[bds]

9mm is a tapered case. The "Coke" bottle look and slight bulge is normal as Berry's plated bullet diameter is advertised at .356" (http://www.berrysmfg.com/products-c58-Berrys_Preferred_Plated_Pistol_Bullets.aspx).

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=171565&stc=1&d=1347453486

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6630850#post6630850
We use carbide re-strike dies that helps us keep the uniformity on the final size. When you measure the bullet use a mic at the base. Our 9mm bullets are .356 + or - .0005"

We have a plus or minus .0005" to give us a bit of room with the dies. Our die manufacture gives us a plus or minus of the .0005", wear is a factor as well.

The dimension on the .40 bullets is .401 + or - .0005", measure it at the base again with mic's and see what you get.
__________________
Jay R. Phillips

[scythefwd]

bds.. thats it - a little more pronounced on my loads.. but it could just be the pic.

Sam, 1911 - I know.. thats why I mentioned it was hand cycling. These are pretty blunt flat point profile hollowpoints.. if a 1911 isn't goig to like a profile.. I think this would be it. No biggie.. the beretta doesn't seem to care. I'll definitely try it before I decide to keep the bullets or not. I bought 500.. and I loaded 99 of em.. I'm positive the box is closer to 700.. I didn't really see any change at all in the pile of bullets.

[Walkalong]

The Berrys 124 Gr FP (http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14475-c11-g8-b0-p0-9mm_124gr_FP.aspx) (And HP) can be a little finicky feeding in some guns. The 124 Gr HBRN-TP (http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14844-c11-g8-b0-p0-9mm_124gr_HBRN_TP.aspx) shoots great and feeds great. You might consider it next time. Another bullet that shoots very well for me, and feeds great in my 9MM 1911s (One's a .38 Super with a 9MM barrel) is the X-Treme 124 Gr HP (http://www.tjconevera.com/x9mm12hpplbu.html).

[scythefwd]

walk.. I'm definitely blaming the gun for the odd catches.. I know this profile would stop up a lot of guns.

[ROAshooter]

just an opinion....can be ignored.....but I read that you flaired/belled your cases....and then primed?...from my own experince...as brass is reloaded...flairing the neck....will lead to splitting as the brass ages....and I toss them out...before I lose a new primer....

[Certaindeaf]

I think that the reason your box of 500 seems like a box of 1000 is that you haven't read this thread. No real skin off no one's nose if it comes to that.

[Walkalong]

walk.. I'm definitely blaming the gun for the odd catches..They did shoot pretty well, but my 9MM AR really disliked feeding them at the OAL that worked in my pistols, and I wasn't going to load two different OALs.

[scythefwd]

certain.. that comment makes no sense.
ROA - when using plated bullets, you can damage the plating if you dont bell the brass. This is all once fired.. so I'm not worried about wasting a few primers.

I'd lose the primer if I flared before or after loading it.. it all has to be done.. and before the powder is added.

I say it feels like 1k, because I can fit 400+ .308 in the same size case and its full to the brim.

[Mobuck]

I'm not following your comments about flairing the case. My case flairing is part of the powder charging sequence.

[Walkalong]

It really doesn't matter in what order one does it in.

I size, prime, flare. If a fellow sized, flared, primed, it would all be the same in the end.

[jjjitters]

You'll find that just about any bullet profile will feed in the Beretta("G" model?dao). I've shot pretty much evry style out there and never had one not feed. Now getting lead bullets sized big enough for proper fit in them is another story. Casting your own is best.

[jim243]

Forgive me, but I have had nothing but problems with Berry's junk bullets. They should have been .355 for a 9mm. If they mic out to .357 you may want to use them for 38 Spl.

Jim

[1SOW]

Forgive me, but I have had nothing but problems with Berry's junk bullets. They should have been .355 for a 9mm.

Jim, I've run over 5K Berry's 124gr 9mm bullets in practice & comp, and they run flawlessly.
I got one of the "sample packs" (have to ask for it over the phone) and tried several different bullet weights and nose-shapes. The HP and FN bullets may need to be run at shorter oals in many chambers, especially tight-chambered pistols like CZ and XD.. Otherwise they also shoot well. Their standard plated bullets run at up to mid-range jacketted load data.

The 124 HBRN-TP bullet (TP=Thick Plating) will run smoothly and accurately in any reputable 9mm at any Saami oal and up to max published loads It is a .356" bullet designed to run at 38 super speeds. It's a keeper at 8.5 cents each delivered. (just checked and price went up from 8.3 cents http://www.tjconevera.com/berrys-bullets.html)

[Striker Fired]

1sow , I believe thats the same guy that always trash talks Berry's over on the firing line forum. I think only 1 bullet was tried and didn't shoot good so ''They are junk" for life.:banghead:
I haven't seen a 9mm barrel yet that measures .355(I'm sure some match ones are), most are .356, so Berry's size is right on.

[splattergun]

my go to load for 9mm is Berry's 124 gr FNHB over 4.4 231. Function is flawless and accuracy brings me pleasure in my P89. I'll let ya know if I find something better for my rig.
FYI, I tend to disregard any posts that say everything by X manufacturer is junk.

Well, there was that Yugo anomoly.

[noylj]

Congratulations!!!
You are doing everything right.
Pat yourself on the back and be proud.
Now, unless the rounds DON'T drop in the barrel, stop worrying and load away.

[scythefwd]

well, tried em out today.. no cycle, like I thought would be the case.. I could move to a weaker recoil spring (actualy have a worn out one lying around to finish off the batch).. then up it a little bit to 4.1gr.. an we'll see what that does (working on mouse fart loads for the wife).

[noylj]

Mouse fart loads--REAL mouse fart loads--will require a lighter recoil spring (and, possibly, some yellow tape on the trigger guard to remind you that it is ONLY for mouse fart loads).
You can go to a heavier bullet. It will have more recoil, but it will be a push rather than a snap and she may prefer that.

[scythefwd]

noy.. I know.. its why I havent gotten rid of the worn out spring yet.. much lighter than the extra power one I have in there now.