I've been using berry's plated and have to push bullets pretty hot to get my action to cycle correctly in my sw9ve. So of course, accuracy has suffered a bit. I'm looking at getting a new bersa, and want to get some new bullets. I have used montana golds with great accuracy. I've also looked at x-treme plated, those look ok, and also the new berry's hollow bases with thicker plating have caught my eye. SO long as the the price stays under MG, i guess it doesn't matter. Does anyone have experience with the HB berry's or xtreme and could tell me which company is more accurate?
Time for new bullets
- Thread starter jrkfantom
- Start date
- Status
moto_stevo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2011
- Messages
- 69
As far as th hb berrys.... I've been using them with great accuracy in my wife's glock 19. 1 1/2" groups at 20 yds
Certaindeaf
member
How "hot" are you loading them to assure function?
Are you sure you're not flinching with those "hot" loads?
Are you sure you're not flinching with those "hot" loads?
longdayjake
Member
I sell xtreme as well as pulled bullets. You might check out my website and see if my prices are cheaper than or close to your current source. You can get pulled jacketed bullets from my website for quite a bit cheaper than Montana Gold. I also sell Montana Gold by the 1000 for slightly cheaper than they do. Check it out www.rmrbullets.com
Hamish
Member
If you're shopping for bullets, consider Precision Delta. I've loaded a few thousand of them in .40 S&W and in .45 ACP, and I'm a fan. Good prices, jacketed bullets, and a quality product. Almost time to order some more myself.
john16443
Member
THR member rfwobbly did some serious evaluation of the Berrys Hollow Bottom bullets in this thread http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=581070 Assume you're also talking about 9mm.
Word is that the newest 115 grain RNHB bullets are more accurate than the plain 115 RN plated.
I've grown quite fond of the Precision 124 grain bullets http://www.precisionbullets.com/ Load them like lead without the mess and clean up. Also less expensive than plated. It is a hard coating that won't deposit moly in the bore. Pay attention to the FAQ's on the site.
Another FMJ alternative to plated bullets at the same price point as plated already mentioned is Precision Delta. Order 1K and shipping is $5, order 2K (mix & match) and shipping is free.
Word is that the newest 115 grain RNHB bullets are more accurate than the plain 115 RN plated.
I've grown quite fond of the Precision 124 grain bullets http://www.precisionbullets.com/ Load them like lead without the mess and clean up. Also less expensive than plated. It is a hard coating that won't deposit moly in the bore. Pay attention to the FAQ's on the site.
Another FMJ alternative to plated bullets at the same price point as plated already mentioned is Precision Delta. Order 1K and shipping is $5, order 2K (mix & match) and shipping is free.
Flt Simulation
Member
.45 ACP
RN Polymer-Coated Lead (Hollow Base) / 200 gr
Bear Creek brand
$ 91 Shipped per 1000
http://www.extremeventuresnv.com/round-nose-hollow-base-p-290027.html
RN Polymer-Coated Lead / 230 gr
Bear Creek brand
$ 102 Shipped per 1000
http://www.extremeventuresnv.com/round-nose-p-290028.html
RN Polymer-Coated Lead (Hollow Base) / 200 gr
Bear Creek brand
$ 91 Shipped per 1000
http://www.extremeventuresnv.com/round-nose-hollow-base-p-290027.html
RN Polymer-Coated Lead / 230 gr
Bear Creek brand
$ 102 Shipped per 1000
http://www.extremeventuresnv.com/round-nose-p-290028.html
ljnowell
Member
How does one squeeze those into a 9mm case?
AnthonyRSS
Member
Lee FCD.
Quoheleth
Member
^ snicker.
I love Missouri Bullet. I realize MBC sells cast lead and you're talking plated, but MBC is all I run in all my guns, except for .380 - .38, .357, 9mm, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.
Q
I love Missouri Bullet. I realize MBC sells cast lead and you're talking plated, but MBC is all I run in all my guns, except for .380 - .38, .357, 9mm, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.
Q
Thank you longdayjake. The loads really don't make me flinch, it's a SW9ve, doesn't bite the hand quite like my CZ82. I've got the bullets loaded over 5.1 grs of Win 231, berry's plated 115 grain bullets. It has however come to my attention that I kind of limp wrist, so i'm trying to tighten my grip and stance and that should allow me to come down a bit. However, my main question in this thread was really are the xtremes any more accurate than berry's? I might spring for some of those pulled jacketed 9mms
Hondo 60
Member
I've order from all sorts of vendors.
And have found no difference in accuracy from Xtreme to Berry's.
LiveLife
Member
I think there are two things to consider:jrkfantom said:
1. It's been my experience that I need to push the lighter 115 gr bullets near max load data to reliably cycle the slide of some semi-autos with stiffer recoil springs and obtain optimal accuracy.
FYI, my 9mm reference load uses Winchester 115 gr FMJ with 4.8 gr of W231/HP-38 at 1.135" OAL and this load has reliably cycled the slides of various pistols I have shot them out of including G22/G23 and even G27 with stiffer dual-recoil spring assembly using 40-9 conversion barrels - - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7266869#post7266869
2. It's been my experience that when I start pushing plated bullets beyond high range jacketed load data, I begin to see deterioration of accuracy. I have addressed this issue by using heavier 124 gr plated bullets and mid-to-high range load data that provide reliable slide cycling and accuracy.
With 5.1 gr of W231, you are over-driving the 115 gr plated bullet when Berry's MFG recommends we use start-to-mid range jacketed load data with their plated bullets. You could try longer OAL (1.135") and no tighter than .377" taper crimp to reduce high pressure gas leakage.
Here's 1999 Winchester load data for W231 in comparison with current Hodgdon load data:
Current Hodgdon load data
If you are using FMJ bullets with good results, that's because the lead base expands to better seal with the barrel for more consistent chamber pressures (see link for hollow base FMJ below).
It is for this reason why Berry's hollow base plated bullets outperform solid based plated bullets and even lead base FMJ bullets. In addition, hollow base bullet construction increases the bearing surface of the bullet base thereby seating the bullet base deeper in the case neck and provides more bearing surface to ride the rifling. IMO, these factors produce more consistent chamber pressures and stabilize the bullet in flight better for greater accuracy. Also, 115/124 gr HBRN "Thick Plated" (TP) bullets have thicker plating that can be driven to 1450 fps so you can use up to max jacketed load data.
I have used Berry's, HSM, PowerBond, Rainier, Speer TMJ, X-Treme and other regional brand plated bullets and would recommend Berry's HBRN-TP for optimal accuracy. If you are looking for economical range target loads, any 124 gr plated bullets with mid-to-high range load data should work over 115 gr plated bullets although IMO, X-Treme/PowerBond/Speer TMJ bullets seem to have thicker plating than others with the exception of Berry's TP bullets.
Berry's 115 gr HBRN-TP - $84/1000 + free shipping
Berry's 124 gr HBRN-TP - $88/1000 + free shipping
X-Treme 115 gr RN - $79/1000 + free shipping
X-Treme 124 gr RN - $83/1000 + free shipping
How about 115 gr "Hollow Base" FMJ bullets? $168/2000 ($84/1000) + free shipping
Attachments
Last edited:
They are both good bullets and the only way to be sure is try them in your gun. I use both the Berrys 124 Gr HBRN and the X-Treme 124 Gr HP and are very happy with them. I have also used the X-Treme 124 Gr RN and it shot very well for me.
The montana gold fmj's i am using are the cmj with the insert in the back. Maybe they just have better tolerances? Anyways, I've been looking at precision delta again and for the past year it seems like the 4 month waiting times have ceased. I may try them. or r and r. Thanks guys
wanderinwalker
Member
What kind of accuracy are you currently getting with your reloads? With factory? Sorry, I have doubts that over-driving the Berrys is what is causing the accuracy issues. In my experience it takes very little effort to assemble handgun ammo that is more accurate than most shooters with almost any bullet.
That said, I'd just switch powders. My experience with 231 and 115gr bullets in 9mm is that you have to run at the top-end of the data to make the guns run, and even then it may not function for some people. Try some Unique or Universal. I've used both and don't have to load to max to make my Glocks function. Power Pistol and WSF are great too.
My current 9mm load is 115gr Berry's RN, 5.2gr Unique, CCI or Winchester small pistol primers, seated to 1.135" OAL in any old 9mm case. They give good-to-great accuracy and function reliably, though you have some room to work up from where I'm at.
That said, I'd just switch powders. My experience with 231 and 115gr bullets in 9mm is that you have to run at the top-end of the data to make the guns run, and even then it may not function for some people. Try some Unique or Universal. I've used both and don't have to load to max to make my Glocks function. Power Pistol and WSF are great too.
My current 9mm load is 115gr Berry's RN, 5.2gr Unique, CCI or Winchester small pistol primers, seated to 1.135" OAL in any old 9mm case. They give good-to-great accuracy and function reliably, though you have some room to work up from where I'm at.
gahunter12
Member
I use both Berry's, and XTreme bullets in my 40's, and my wife's 9mm. Her 38 spcl only gets XTreme. Both are very accurate out to 15yrds with good accuracy out to 25yrds. I only load lead for my 1911's, and XDm45's. I have found lead is so much more accurate in all of my 45's. I don't have the answer, but they are.
- Status
