New to reloading. LGS recommended Berry plated and CFE pistol powder. Did a lot of searching on line, including Hogden and Berry sites, as well as Hornady manual and came up pretty empty in terms loading data for Berry 158 gr plated 38 sp. Lots of stuff on forums from experienced loaders doing workarounds, but I'm still too wet behind the ears to go there. I found I can use the CFE for 9mm and 380, so I will just buy a pound of a more appropriate powder Any suggestions for alternate powder for Berry plated in 38 special? Any mercy and help is really appreciated.
38 Special 158 gr,Plated Berry Bullets-- can't find load data
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Do you have any reloading books? If not there are a LOT of published books out there that will not only help, but assist you in learning.
You really need a reference book for reloads, it gives you a good frame of reference and a good starting point. Lymans is good, Lee came out with one that also covered reloading basics.
You can look at Midwayusa.com and possibly find one specifically for your 38Spc.
Good Luck
Dgod
You really need a reference book for reloads, it gives you a good frame of reference and a good starting point. Lymans is good, Lee came out with one that also covered reloading basics.
You can look at Midwayusa.com and possibly find one specifically for your 38Spc.
Good Luck
Dgod
brewer12345
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I usually start at the middle of the range for a lead bullet of the same weight and work up. Best accuracy for me seems to mostly be at the top of lead data to somewhere in the middle of jacketed.
.38 Special
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Berry's says lead or FMJ data can be used. I have always treated plated the same as cast, if for no other reason than that neither bullet generally wants to driven too fast.
Lots of powders work well for mid-range .38 Special loads. If you are brand new to handloading, I second the motion for Trail Boss. It a very safe powder that will give good results in mild to moderate loads. My next choice is probably the most versatile handgun powder available, Unique. It will give you loads from mild to hot, and is also suited to many other cartridges as well.
My understanding, though, is that it might be very hard to find either one right now. You may end up having to go with whatever is available.
Lots of powders work well for mid-range .38 Special loads. If you are brand new to handloading, I second the motion for Trail Boss. It a very safe powder that will give good results in mild to moderate loads. My next choice is probably the most versatile handgun powder available, Unique. It will give you loads from mild to hot, and is also suited to many other cartridges as well.
My understanding, though, is that it might be very hard to find either one right now. You may end up having to go with whatever is available.
Reloading manuals are a guide. Very rarely when reloading are you using the exact same bullet, primer brand, case manufacturer, etc. Often times you have to make a judgement call if the load data is close enough to work for your bullet design. Berry's gives advice on their website.
From Berry's website -
Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:
From Berry's website -
Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:
- The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
- Berry's max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)
- Standard Plate Bullets Max Velocity: 1,250 fps.
- Thick-Plate Bullets (TP) Max Velocity: 1,500 fps.
- Do not over-crimp the bullet. Crimping so tight that bullet deformation occurs, or plating is separated causing visible exposure of the lead core will cause tumbling, key-holing, and reduced accuracy.
George P
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Use lead bullet to mid jacketed data not to exceed (typically) 1200fps - which shouldn't be happening anyway in a 38 Special. Unique, Universal, 231, Bullseye, Titegroup, Titewad and about 65 million other powders will all do well in the 38; it is really easy to find load data:
http://www.reloadammo.com/38loads.htm
http://www.reloadammo.com/38loads.htm
Who? I'm not aware of anyone who recommends lead data only.
Berrys:
The online PDFs have a good bit of tested data for Berrys bullets these days.
Hodgdons for starters
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Thank you
Thank you
Thank you. This looks really helpful. I will give this a careful look as I educate myself while waiting for my backordered equipment to arrive (I hope before Christmas.
Agreed, much better than just saying to follow lead data. Starting lead data in some applications can stick plated bullets in the bore, they don't have near the lubricity of lubed lead bullets.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...en-bullet-is-not-listed.791254/#post-10068925
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/9mm-124gr-berrys-flat-points.498518/#post-6195350
I load 9MM plated bullets with near max jacketed data, and they give nearly identical velocities as the jacketed bullets of the same type (HP, RN etc)
You can't hurt plated bullets at .38 Spl pressure/velocities.
Thanks. I went to Hodgdons, not data for Berry's/CFE pistol data. Got the PDF with OAL and COL but found no other load info with powders; same with Hornady's manual. Don't have Lyman manual yet (on the way-Backordered). Obviously in my newness I have massive holes in my knowledge. However, thanks to you folks, I'm learning.
I have the Hornady manual; the Lyman manual is on the way with my back-ordered kit; and I have checked bullet and powder manufacturers' sites for their data; so I am building my resources. So far, you folks have been the most helpful in getting things sorted out.
Thank you. Really clears the fog.
WST or Competition would be my first choice. Bullseye, 700X, Sport Pistol, and other fast powders will work as well.
I use the first two mentioned under an X-Treme 158 Gr SWC in .357 brass or the Berrys 148 Gr HBWC in .38 Spl brass.
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Riomouse911
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I’ve used Unique, HP-38, Bullseye, IMR Target, Titegroup, Promo and AA #5 in .38 Spl loads.
For light loads I’m a Bullseye guy.
For mid-range to +P loads I prefer Unique.
For heavy loads I jump out of the .38 Spl cases and into .357 mag and go with Unique, HP-38 and H-110.
With a 158 gr plated SWC or RN from Berrys or Extreme, for a nice midrange .38 Spl load I’ve shot tons of them with 4.2 gr Unique and a standard small pistol primer.
Stay safe.
For light loads I’m a Bullseye guy.
For mid-range to +P loads I prefer Unique.
For heavy loads I jump out of the .38 Spl cases and into .357 mag and go with Unique, HP-38 and H-110.
With a 158 gr plated SWC or RN from Berrys or Extreme, for a nice midrange .38 Spl load I’ve shot tons of them with 4.2 gr Unique and a standard small pistol primer.
Stay safe.
There's guidance in the FAQ section of the Berry’s Bullets website on many items for their products.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/faq
https://www.berrysmfg.com/faq
Got advice from an experienced local gunsmith/reloader (friend of my Grandson's). He reloads Berrys plate and uses FMJ tables. Looks like he pretty much agrees with what you folks have been advising. It says in a very old book that "In a multitude of counselors, there is safety. Looks like I'll be taking your advice -- if I'm still in life when my equipment gets here.
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sr1971
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I ran a few 357 with Sport Pistol today with pleasing results. The cases were clean on the outside and mildly sooty inside. Used the Alliant data to the tee and came down approximately 10%. Ran 25 cartridges at 5.8 and 6.2 grains each with a medium roll crimp at 1.607" COAL using Bayou Bullets coated 158 SWC's. They weren't whimpy on recoil but somewhere in the middle. The data says ~1,000ish fps. I did see high pressure signs at 6.2 grains with a heavy crimp on the 6 I fired and tossed those cases in the scrap bin. Lots of good potential with this powder and I concur with the others that say it's near W-231 but cleaner and meters great. See below.
Top row of cases you can see the primer flowing around the firing pin. Not good.
There is a wealth of knowledge here to gain and is wonderful to learn from those with experience and a willingness to lend helping hand. Crimp on some plated Xtreme by degrees of rotation from removing the bcase mouth bell on my Lee FCD for my Classic Turret. I had a hand in figuring it out from these fine gals/gents here. See below.
(Don't mind the simulated cannelure on these bullets. They were not fully seated, but I was setting up the amount of crimp and pulled them after.)
Top row of cases you can see the primer flowing around the firing pin. Not good.
There is a wealth of knowledge here to gain and is wonderful to learn from those with experience and a willingness to lend helping hand. Crimp on some plated Xtreme by degrees of rotation from removing the bcase mouth bell on my Lee FCD for my Classic Turret. I had a hand in figuring it out from these fine gals/gents here. See below.
(Don't mind the simulated cannelure on these bullets. They were not fully seated, but I was setting up the amount of crimp and pulled them after.)
sr1971
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Have you tried selecting 38 or 357 cartridge only and not selecting any other boxes? It will provide the entire range of information for all weight projectiles and powders if you do so. Just a thought.
Blue68f100
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Primer flow is more of a FP fit to hole issue, has very little to do with showing HP signs. This can happen at starting loads if the clearance is too great. There is one mfg of bolts for AR's I will no longer buy. They are running 0.004" clearance and you get primer flow no matter what primer you use. With today's modern CNC equipment there is reason for this. I contacted them, return the bolt and the replacement was worse yet. I moved to JP HP bolt no problems. Since, I have repaired the bolt with a bushing of proper clearance, 0.001"-0.0015".
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