Need advice on 9mm using Berry's 130 grain RN

[1KPerDay]

It's a .38 super bullet but I understand a lot of people use it for 9mm... need any advice on OAL and charges. I have Bullseye, Red Dot, Herco, and HP-38. Pistols are Glocks, SIG P226, 229 and 938, Beretta 92FS.

TIA

 

[LiveLife]

You are in luck.

Hodgdon actually lists Berry's (BERB) 130 gr RN plated bullet load data for 9mm - http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

130 gr BERB RN W231/HP-38 Diameter .356" OAL 1.150" Start 3.9 gr (903 fps) 27,600 PSI - Max 4.3 gr (1005 fps) 33,000 PSI

 

[Fire_Moose]

WARNING! !!!! LOAD INFORMATION IS FOR INFO ONLY THR NOR POSTER ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS WHILE TRYING


I just tested 2.7gr-3.3gr of bullseye under a 135gr RN at 1.16.

3.1 and 3.3 were about the same except recoil. They'll be great for my steel matches!

Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[1KPerDay]

You are in luck.

Hodgdon actually lists Berry's (BERB) 130 gr RN plated bullet load data for 9mm - http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Excellent! Thanks

 

[rfwobbly]

You can load those to the same OAL as your 124gr. I like those with WSF or N330.

 

[1SOW]

I just loaded some more using 3.9 grs n320 at 1.130 and get 130PF---1000fps.

I have used AA#5 and loaded to the same bullet speed with good results.

Nothing to jump up and down about , but they shoot well.

 

[1KPerDay]

Dangit... I just looked and they're 135 grains. I assume that messes things up...


Moose, did you find load data for yours anywhere?

 

[1KPerDay]

bumpity?

 

[PO2Hammer]

I would start them with 147 data with HP-38 and work up.
It's only a 9% difference in weight.

 

[LiveLife]

I have found some plated bullets to vary by 1-3 gr.

If there is any concern, I would consider dropping .1 - .2 gr from max as you conduct your powder work up from start charge.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks... I'll start low.

 

[1SOW]

I only had a few 135gr RN from the Berry's "Sample Pack".

This was all I got data for:

October 2011 VIT n320 3.6 1.136 928 125.4PF

 

[Fire_Moose]

My load data was from my own data and a couple books. Started low and worked out nicely.

Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[1KPerDay]

Well 3.1 of HP-38 won't cycle the glock 26 and barely cycles the Beretta and SIG... Onward and upward I guess.

 

[medalguy]

I used those bullets in 9mm with Unique, 5.6 gr with OAL of 1.130 and chronoed that load at about 1075 fps. Works very well in my 92FS. Never tried then with Bullseye, sorry. Basically the same load I use for 124 gr bullets.

 

[LiveLife]

9mm using Berry's 135 grain RN ... I have Bullseye, Red Dot, Herco, and HP-38

Well 3.1 of HP-38 won't cycle the glock 26 and barely cycles the Beretta and SIG... Onward and upward I guess.

3.1 gr of HP-38? That's really low. I hope you didn't mix up powder and load data ... Fire_Moose mentioned 3.1/3.3 gr charges but they were for Bullseye powder not HP-38.

I just tested 2.7gr-3.3gr of bullseye under a 135gr RN at 1.16.

3.1 and 3.3 were about the same except recoil. They'll be great for my steel matches!

Since the Berry's bullets were 135 gr instead of 130 gr, if you were concerned, I suggested reductions of perhaps .1-.2 gr off 130 gr load data which ranged 3.9 - 4.3 gr for start/max. That would be 3.7-3.8 gr for start charge and 4.1-4.2 gr max charge.

130 gr BERB RN W231/HP-38 Diameter .356" OAL 1.150" Start 3.9 gr (903 fps) 27,600 PSI - Max 4.3 gr (1005 fps) 33,000 PSI

I would try 3.7/3.9 gr of HP-38 and see how reliably they cycle the slide of G26 and check for shot group accuracy.

 

[Walkalong]

I agree with bds. Good advise.

 

[LiveLife]

Moose, did you find load data for yours anywhere?

My load data was from my own data and a couple books.

Lyman #49 lists the following for 147 gr lead FP bullet sized .356" at 1.058" OAL

"147 gr Bullseye Start 2.8 gr (780 fps) 24,900 CUP - Max 3.5 gr (942 fps) 31,600 CUP"


BTW, here's 2004 Alliant load data for reference that has load data for 125 gr lead bullet. Hope this helps.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks. Yeah, I couldn't find anything for 147 using W231 so I started lower than the 130 loads suggested because mine were 135s and seated deeper. I have some made up at 3.7 now.

Fortunately at about 1.145" they don't seem to be hitting the rifling. They look funny, though. Long noses.

 

[LiveLife]

Here's 1999 Winchester 147 gr lead load data for W231.

 

[1KPerDay]

3.7 works fine, not particularly accurate, still lighter recoil than factory ball... I'll try one more increase and if accuracy not good I'll switch powders and start over.

 

[LiveLife]

3.7 works fine, not particularly accurate, still lighter recoil than factory ball

Accuracy will improve as chamber pressures become high enough for more consistent powder burn that produces more consistent chamber pressures and muzzle velocities.

You should conduct your powder work up first to identify the charge that will start to reliably cycle the slide of your pistol with the stiffest recoil spring. Then you should carefully monitor the accuracy trends of your shot groups as you work up towards max powder charge.

Some powders achieve optimal accuracy as you approach near max load data and some powders achieve optimal accuracy at mid-to-high range load data then plateau towards max load data.

IMO, you are at around start chage and may not be producing consistent enough chamber pressures for accuracy.

130 gr BERB RN W231/HP-38 Diameter .356" OAL 1.150" Start 3.9 gr (903 fps) 27,600 PSI - Max 4.3 gr (1005 fps) 33,000 PSI