45acp bullet question...

[RugerBob]

Hi all,

I cast my own, but have been thinking of buying some jacketed.

Berry's has 200 gr bullets with a hollow base and without hollow base.

I like the idea of the hollow base, but wonder if it affects accuracy.
Anyone tried the hollow base and did you get good results?
These will be fed from my 1911's. Used for local 3gun comps.

Thanks, Bob

 

[RugerBob]

wow, I see jell dog had a nice report on 45acp bullets. No need to reply. Mods can delete if needed. I wish I would have seen his post before I put this up. Thanks.

 

[TfflHndn]

Keep in mind that Berry's are plated, not jacketed (do they make any jacketed bullets?), and use lead bullet data or low-to-mid range jacketed data. Don't push them to full jacketed loads.

 

[RugerBob]

Thanks for the reply.
My loads for 200gr are 5.0grs 700x, jacketed, plated or lead. Comfortable load.
Was just wondering if hollow base could be more accurate then flat base.

 

[Dudedog]

delete OP is using 200s.

 

[7mmb]

Keep in mind that Berry's are plated, not jacketed (do they make any jacketed bullets?), and use lead bullet data or low-to-mid range jacketed data. Don't push them to full jacketed loads.

I load X-treme 200gr plated RNs for my 45s so I have poured over every data source I can to come up with good load data. Hodgdon lists data for two 200gr bullets, a LSWC and a JHP. With many powders Hodgdon lists slightly higher charges with the lead bullet than they do with the jacketed bullet. If you use their lead data instead of their jacketed data with plated bullets you will usually be loading a little bit hotter. The same holds true with Hodgdon's 45 Colt data with 250gr bullets. Many of the powders they list with lead and jacketed 250gr slugs are slightly higher with the lead bullet.

The real limit with plated bullets is holding velocity below 1200fps so that the plating doesn't strip off. In 9mm, 38 Super, 40S&W, 10mm, and 357 and 44 Magnums this is something to be aware of and it is best to stick with mid-range jacketed data. In 45 Auto, 45 Colt, and 38 and 44 Specials it is a non-issue. With any reputable published data you will not approach this threshold.

Another thing to be aware of when loading plated bullets is that they have more friction than lead bullets. Some starting loads with lead bullets may be too low for plated bullets and could cause a stuck bullet. Always start with jacketed data and don't exceed 1200fps. Some companies have started to offer heavy plate bullets that can be loaded to 1500fps. Just be sure you have those if you are going to go over the 1200 fps limit.

RugerBob - I've had good results with 5.0gr of 700X and my 200gr bullets too. They seem to have more recoil than my Universal loads using over a grain more powder though. Weird. Going to be working up WST next. The hollow base in plated bullets is used to give the lighter bullet a longer bearing surface, comparable to a heavier bullet, yet still have the same powder capacity of the lighter bullet. I'm not sure if it will affect accuracy or not. Only one way to find out though.

 

[RugerBob]

Thanks 7mmb. Great info.

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9897359&postcount=10

You can't hurt that Berrys bullet in safe .45 ACP loads.