380 Plated Data

[lpsharp88]

I loaded up some Everglades Ammo 100gr plated 380 bullets. They say to keep them under 1200 FPS (no issue with 380). I used 2.8gr TiteGroup, which is right in the middle of the data on Hodgdon's website for 100gr FMJ.

Two questions. First, is that too hot? Glock 42's seem to prefer hotter ammo, so that's why I didn't start at the bottom of the data and went straight to the middle. Second, when manufacturers give velocity ceilings for their projectiles, does that mean it's safe to use jacketed data as long as it'll be under that max velocity?

 

[leefan]

I loaded up some Everglades Ammo 100gr plated 380 bullets. They say to keep them under 1200 FPS (no issue with 380). I used 2.8gr TiteGroup, which is right in the middle of the data on Hodgdon's website for 100gr FMJ.

Two questions. First, is that too hot? Glock 42's seem to prefer hotter ammo, so that's why I didn't start at the bottom of the data and went straight to the middle. Second, when manufacturers give velocity ceilings for their projectiles, does that mean it's safe to use jacketed data as long as it'll be under that max velocity?

2.8 grains of Titegroup is what I use with Berry's 100 grain FBRN plated bullets to make a soft-recoiling load for my wife to shoot in her Bersa Thunders. She has shot hundreds of those reloads with no issue. 2.9 grains produces a felt recoil similar to Federal American Eagle in the Bersas. 3.0 grains produces noticeably more recoil than the Federal, similar to hot self-defense factory ammo.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The manufacturers of plated bullets recommend you use lead bullet data or to the middle of jacketed bullet data. It seems that is what you are doing.

You can't know what velocities your ammo is generating by looking at the published data. You will need a chronograph to be sure but since most times your velocity will be lower that the published numbers you should be fine there too. (but not always)

 

[lpsharp88]

So it looks like they're fine, just gotta see how the Glock likes them and adjust if needed

 

[Walkalong]

Berrys has two things on the website about loading their plated bullets.

From the FAQ list.

"How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets"

We do not research or publish the load data, but you can use any published load data for a jacketed or lead bullet as long as it is the same weight bullet. Any of the load data books or the powder manufacturers’ website should have that information for you, as long as you keep them under 1250 fps for our standard bullet or 1500fps for the bullets designated as TP (thick plate).

"Load Data for Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets"

Currently published load data is limited to some calibers by Accurate, Western Powders and Hodgdon. We are working with these companies to get data published for all of our bullets.

We recommend using hard cast load data or start with mid-range jacketed data. Make sure data is below 1250fps unless you are using a Thick-Plated bullet that we list a higher max velocity for like the 9mm 124gr HBRN-TP that can be shot to 1500fps in open class guns like a .38 Super. Keep in mind that since our plated bullet has the same pressure curve as a hard cast bullet, the published cast data will be very close to what you will get with our plated bullets. If you use Jacketed data with our plated bullets you can get from 5% - 8% increase in velocity using that data.

Some old Ranier plated data:

Accurate Powders.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050502161132/www.rainierballistics.com/loaddataAA.htm

Midway's data.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050502124831/http://www.rainierballistics.com/loaddataMW.htm

Vihtavuori data.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050316140755/www.rainierballistics.com/loaddataVV.htm

No .380 data in the links, but it shows how they changed from saying use lead data. They don't say that any more. Haven't for many, many, years.

Here is what is on the website today:

Load Data
Rainier recommends using commercially published jacketed bullet load data when loading our projectiles. There is no need for adjustment when using jacketed bullet load data. Our bullets are completely encapsulated in copper, creating a “Total Copper Jacket” (TCJ) through a specialized electroplating process, and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets.

We recommend a starting powder charge between the listed minimum and maximum load found in various published and reputable reloading manuals.

A slight taper or minimal roll crimp may be used with our bullets. Over-crimping plated bullets may result in decreased accuracy, and can result in the fragmentation of copper plating.

 

[Zendude]

My Beretta Pico also needs a hot 380 load to cycle reliably. I also use 100 grain plated bullets and stay under the max, but am a lot closer to the max than the min. Even with different powders it always needs a load near the max.