Reloading 9mm Berrys 124 Gr Hybrid Hollow Point

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Nicksterish

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This is my first time reloading any handgun cartridges. I am using CFE Hodgdon pistol powder. I was reading about the plunk test with the barrel. For the bullet I'm reloading according to lee and Hodgdons website they say to seat the bullet min. Oal 1.150. The case oal length that my gun seems to like is 1.107 is when it starts to be able to pass the plunk test. With the 1.150 min oal the powder charge is saying start with 4.9 grains. What would be a good starting charge I own two reloading books and the oal recommendation is way off. I've reloaded some with the oal at 1.104 and grains at (4.5, 4.1, 4.7, and 5) would these rounds be two hot considering the oal?
 
Welcome to THR,
Lots of great people here.


I haven't used that bullet but some data from Hodgdon
125 GR HAP Hodgdon CFE Pistol .356" 1.069" 4.2 956 25,600 PSI 4.8 1096 33,400 PSI
125 GR. SIE FMJ Hodgdon CFE Pistol .355" 1.090" 4.6 1009 26,900 PSI 5.1 1118 33,000 PSI

5.0 is over the MAX they list for the HAP @ 1.069 and a hair under MAX for the SIE @ 1.09.
What really matters is how much space in the case the bullet is taking up,
not so much the OAL.
The OAL has to be right to plunk but different bullets of the same weight all seated with .x" in the case will have different OALs.
The import thing to remember is shorter OAL with the same bullet = more pressure=less powder.

I would say you are safe at 4.1 (which might not function-might be to light but should get the bullet out the barrel without a problem) and should be ok at 4.5 and 4.7.
If it was me I would be tempted to load some at 4.8 or 4.9 before I went to 5gr.

Hopefully somebody here has loaded that bullet with CFE-P and can give you some additional info.

Start low and work up, Have fun, Be safe.
 
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What I do. Start low. either at min or just a bit above. make a few. shoot them. look at my results. add a bit more powder. shoot them. sometimes I do this 10 times with different charges and OAL until I get something I really like. then I write it down and use it.
 
Thanks for the feed back.
Welcome to THR,
Lots of great people here.


I haven't used that bullet but some data from Hodgdon
125 GR HAP Hodgdon CFE Pistol .356" 1.069" 4.2 956 25,600 PSI 4.8 1096 33,400 PSI
125 GR. SIE FMJ Hodgdon CFE Pistol .355" 1.090" 4.6 1009 26,900 PSI 5.1 1118 33,000 PSI

5.0 is over the MAX they list for the HAP @ 1.069 and a hair under MAX for the SIE @ 1.09.
What really matters is how much space in the case the bullet is taking up,
not so much the OAL.
The OAL has to be right to plunk but different bullets of the same weight all seated with .x" in the case will have different OALs.
The import thing to remember is shorter OAL with the same bullet = more pressure=less powder.

I would say you are safe at 4.1 (which might not function-might be to light but should get the bullet out the barrel without a problem) and should be ok at 4.5 and 4.7.
If it was me I would be tempted to load some at 4.8 or 4.9 before I went to 5gr.

Hopefully somebody here has loaded that bullet with CFE-P and can give you some additional info.

Start low and work up, Have fun, Be safe.
 
Thanks for the feed back.

Another tip. Berrys are plated bullets. I have used them often. This is more important when it comes to rifles (or 357 magnum charges) but there is certain velocities that will strip the jacket and copper up your barrel. I would go with their recommendations. I got this from their website.

SAAMI MAX COL = 1.169"
Recommended velocity = 1050 - 1150 fps

If you don't have a chronograph. just use load data to get you within 1050-1150 fps. you might have good results if you can do that.
 
Your welcome,

For what it's worth
Different bullet, RMR 124gr MPR JHP which has a short nose. (These work well for me and others and Rocky Mountain Reloading offers THR members a 5% discount with the code.)
S+B SP, Mixed range brass, charges as thrown after setting measure Springfield 5" 9mm 1911
String: 2
Date: 8/26/2018
Time: 11:33:39 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1040
Low Vel: 1013
Ave Vel: 1031
Ext Spread: 27
Std Dev: 10
4.7 CFE-P 124gr RMR MPR JHP @1.08
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1013 125.612 282.515 This one skewed the #s a bit, without it SD and ES would be quite good
1040 128.96 297.776
1038 128.712 296.632
1033 128.092 293.781
1035 128.34 294.92

With this bullet I would say it is safe to go to 5gr, at least in this pistol.
1030 with a 124 is softer shooting than most factory 124 loads.
(I was loading this as a test of CFE-P for USPSA aiming for about 128-130 PF )

S+B SPs are a bit milder than some others, just guessing but you would probably pick up 15-25fps or so if you are using CCI SPs.
Walkalong did a test of some different SP primers here someplace ( think it was in 9mm), if I can find it I will link it. (or if I'm lazy and wait maybe he will;))
 
Your welcome,

For what it's worth
Different bullet, RMR 124gr MPR JHP which has a short nose. (These work well for me and others and Rocky Mountain Reloading offers THR members a 5% discount with the code.)
S+B SP, Mixed range brass, charges as thrown after setting measure Springfield 5" 9mm 1911
String: 2
Date: 8/26/2018
Time: 11:33:39 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1040
Low Vel: 1013
Ave Vel: 1031
Ext Spread: 27
Std Dev: 10
4.7 CFE-P 124gr RMR MPR JHP @1.08
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1013 125.612 282.515 This one skewed the #s a bit, without it SD and ES would be quite good
1040 128.96 297.776
1038 128.712 296.632
1033 128.092 293.781
1035 128.34 294.92

With this bullet I would say it is safe to go to 5gr, at least in this pistol.
1030 with a 124 is softer shooting than most factory 124 loads.
(I was loading this as a test of CFE-P for USPSA aiming for about 128-130 PF )

S+B SPs are a bit milder than some others, just guessing but you would probably pick up 15-25fps or so if you are using CCI SPs.
Walkalong did a test of some different SP primers here someplace ( think it was in 9mm), if I can find it I will link it. (or if I'm lazy and wait maybe he will;))

I have another question for youdude dog. Do you trim your brass? Most people on these forums said they don't. But I've tried loading some up and the case is to long. So I had to trim them. Is there a easier way so that I dont have to trim all of them?
 
Welcome to THR Nicksterish! :)

When the Berry's HHP first came out, I tried 4 different powders to get the recommended velocity (1135?) for proper expansion. Silhouette, CFE-P, HS-6, and Longshot.
I'd have to find my log, but CFE-P couldn't get the velocity. I settled for HS-6.
Because of a tight chambered barrel, I seem to remember an OAL of 1.080", or abouts.
The listed bullet, 124 gr. HBRN TP, will have a different seating depth than the HHP.
I will look at Hornady's (or maybe a member here can) tonight to see what their XTP is seated at and their data. The 124 XTP bullet measures at about .580" OAL.
 
I have never trimmed any 9mm brass.
A cases guage should tell you if they are to long.
So you would need to gauge them and make a pile that needs to be trimmed and one that does not.
Are you sure the cases were to long?
It is much more likely if they wouldn't chamber the OAL of the round was just to long for your chamber.
I have 6 different 9mms and I have never needed to trim for any of them.
I'm sure it is possible where you might need to trim them but they don't normally "grow" like bottleneck brass.

I have an LE Wilson gauge but if I was buying again I would bySheridan
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/problem-with-misfires.852547/#post-11155190
See Walkalongs picture of one of each in .223 at the link above.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to THR Nicksterish! :)

When the Berry's HHP first came out, I tried 4 different powders to get the recommended velocity (1135?) for proper expansion. Silhouette, CFE-P, HS-6, and Longshot.
I'd have to find my log, but CFE-P couldn't get the velocity. I settled for HS-6.
Because of a tight chambered barrel, I seem to remember an OAL of 1.080", or abouts.
The listed bullet, 124 gr. HBRN TP, will have a different seating depth than the HHP.
I will look at Hornady's (or maybe a member here can) tonight to see what their XTP is seated at and their data. The 124 XTP bullet measures at about .580" OAL.
The bullet oal is 5.40 that I'm relaoding

9mm 124 gr Hybrid Hollow Point - Berry's Manufacturing
https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/bp-9mm-356-124gr-hhp
 
I have never trimmed any 9mm brass.
A cases guage should tell you if they are to long.
So you would need to gauge them and make a pile that needs to be trimmed and one that does not.
Are you sure the cases were to long?
It is much more likely if they wouldn't chamber the OAL of the round was just to long for your chamber.
I have 6 different 9mms and I have never needed to trim for any of them.
I'm sure it is possible where you might need to trim them but they don't normally "grow" like bottleneck brass.

I have an LE Wilson gauge but if I was buying again I would bySheridan
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/problem-with-misfires.852547/#post-11155190
See Walkalongs picture of one of each in .223 at the link above.

Didn't even think of that! Wow
I have never trimmed any 9mm brass.
A cases guage should tell you if they are to long.
So you would need to gauge them and make a pile that needs to be trimmed and one that does not.
Are you sure the cases were to long?
It is much more likely if they wouldn't chamber the OAL of the round was just to long for your chamber.
I have 6 different 9mms and I have never needed to trim for any of them.
I'm sure it is possible where you might need to trim them but they don't normally "grow" like bottleneck brass.

I have an LE Wilson gauge but if I was buying again I would bySheridan
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/problem-with-misfires.852547/#post-11155190
See Walkalongs picture of one of each in .223 at the link above.

I measured them with a digital caliper
I have never trimmed any 9mm brass.
A cases guage should tell you if they are to long.
So you would need to gauge them and make a pile that needs to be trimmed and one that does not.
Are you sure the cases were to long?
It is much more likely if they wouldn't chamber the OAL of the round was just to long for your chamber.
I have 6 different 9mms and I have never needed to trim for any of them.
I'm sure it is possible where you might need to trim them but they don't normally "grow" like bottleneck brass.

I have an LE Wilson gauge but if I was buying again I would bySheridan
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/problem-with-misfires.852547/#post-11155190
See Walkalongs picture of one of each in .223 at the link above.
I have never trimmed any 9mm brass.
A cases guage should tell you if they are to long.
So you would need to gauge them and make a pile that needs to be trimmed and one that does not.
Are you sure the cases were to long?
It is much more likely if they wouldn't chamber the OAL of the round was just to long for your chamber.
I have 6 different 9mms and I have never needed to trim for any of them.
I'm sure it is possible where you might need to trim them but they don't normally "grow" like bottleneck brass.

I have an LE Wilson gauge but if I was buying again I would bySheridan
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/problem-with-misfires.852547/#post-11155190
See Walkalongs picture of one of each in .223 at the link

I need to pick up a Wilson gauge. What does the Wilson gauge check?
 
From my Log book the Berry's 124gr Round Nose Flat Base bullet is .588" long. You have measures this Berry's Hybrid Hollow Point at .540" Which tell me the RN bullet is .048" longer. Therefore the HHP bullet would need to be .048" shorter to obtain the same inside case volume. So by my loading a 124gr Berry's RN is loaded to 1.160" then a HHP would need to be loaded to 1.112" to achieve the same level with the same powder.

That still does not guarantee that the round will chamber in the gun because the ogive may be completely different.

The length found in published data is only a dimensional parameter which the tester used to produce the round. Which means if loaded to the same parameters you should obtain the same results. If the parameter is changed then the results will change.
 
I gauge all my sized 9MM brass using a Wilson gauge, not for length, but to make sure they will chamber in a tight chamber, and I can't remember on being too long.

I also never trim brass for the auto calibers I shoot, .32 ACP, 9MM, .38 Super, .40, & .45 ACP.
 
What I would do is determine what OAL you need for your gun, then work up a load using the same bullet, powder, and primer. The if you find that you can shorten your current bullets without getting into over pressure, do so. If you run into over pressure signs, you have a couple of options. 1, break them down, 2, shoot them in a gun that can handle those long length.
 
If I may,
I am new here, but I loaded these exact Berrys HHP just recently for my Mrs. I started with her usual 6.2 grains of HS6. On range day she says "These new bullets make quite a POP!"

Once we got home & back to the reloading room, I measured the projectile & found them to be .356" rather than the usual .355". The larger diameter projectile made a noticeable enough jump in pressure/volume/snap that my wife was able to feel it.

Start low & work up is very sage advice.
 
I have another question for all of yall. I have reloaded ammo that will fit in the chamber of my gun and my wifes gun but will not chamber in my Smith and Wesson. Could this be of seating depth or the crimp? I know I had the same issue with with my .308 rifle and fixed this with a body sizing die. It's almost like the case was never resized but it only wont fit when I seat the bullet and my seating depth is already 1.100.
 
Could this be of seating depth
Could be.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rel-find-a-max-o-a-l-with-your-bullet.506678/
or the crimp?
Doubtful, unless you overdid it and buckled the round just below the crimp. A "crimp" on the 9MM should just remove the bell or a hair more. Neck tension does all the work, not the "crimp" on an auto caliber like 9MM.

Might be a very tight chamber, I had to start using a 9MM case gauge when I bought an EMP with a SAMMI minimum chamber and start culling brass that would not fit the gauge after sizing.

Wilson 9MM Case Gauge Pic 1.JPG
 
I had issues with chambering in my 43x with those same bullets, but I was using unique powder. In my 226 they would plunk at 1.125 without issue and needed to get them all the way down to 1.11 to fit in my glock properly.
 
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