Any reason not to use Berry's/Zero/other plated for .45ACP?

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CMV

CMV

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Ready to buy more projectiles & found good prices on everything I want except .45ACP. I like 230 gr & was using Hornady HAP but at $200/1k, I'm thinking I want something cheaper - although I can't complain one bit about the performance I'm getting from them.

Anyway, Montana Gold is about just as much - in fact everything I've looked at for traditional jacketed bullets in 230gr is up around $180+/1k.

PV - although none showing in stock right now - lists Berry's 230 gr for $117 & Zero for $122. Don't know if PV prices include shipping so maybe a little higher if they don't but still a huge savings.

My load is really light @ 4.8-5.0 gr W231.

Any reason I should stick with what's been working vs going the much cheaper route with plated? If everything else stays the same, what kind of accuracy difference should I expect switching from HAP to a RN up to 25 yds?

@ $280/1k for brass cased commercial ammo right now (http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/45_acp_ammo.html) kind of hard to justify $200 for just projectiles. Add in $30 for primers & $15 worth of powder I'm not sure it would be worthwhile. BTW how's the Aguila brass for reloading or the ammo in general? At that price I might pick up a case, but I've never shot anything Aguila other than .22lr
 
Try TJConevera for Berry's bullets. Their prices include shipping. I'd also go to the Berry's 185 gr. RNHB bullet. It's the same profile as the 230 gr. RN, but 45 grains lighter, and shoots like a laser beam. It's all I load for practice/target shooting in my .45's when not shooting cast bullets.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
This might sound really dumb, but here's why I like to stick with 230 gr for .45ACP & 115gr for 9mm: I can use the same lee dipper & W231 and end up with rounds that everything I own that shoots either seem to like.

Switching from the HAP to FMJ or plated might throw a monkey wrench in that or switching the 9mm from Hornady to the 115 gr pulled stuff from Hitech Ammo might, but as it is right now, those weights are working well in everything with the same charge.
 
I have used all the projectiles you listed and have been stuck on the 230 HP Rainiers with a 4.8-5.0 grain charge of W-231 and have no problems with 3-4" groups at 25yds standing. I normally order from Midway as you can always find promo codes floating around for $10 off $100 orders. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...er-451-diameter-230-grain-plated-hollow-point
I like the Zeros for FMJ , but its hit or miss on availability and I have never run into the Rainiers being out of stock as of yet.
 
I have used plated 230 grain round nose in the 45 ACP for 15 years or so. Both Rainer and now Berry. They work for me.
 
If I were you, I'd jump on the Zeros. I could hardly believe my luck that they were actually in stock when I happened to me making my semiannual primer and powder purchase the other week. I bought a years supply. I was tempted to get 2.

Berrys prices are great for 9mm and 40. But in 45, they seem to cost nearly as much as Rainier plated and Zero JHPs.
 
GLOOB said:
I bought a years supply.
Click to expand...
Now that explains why they are out of stock ... :D



+1 to Berry's 185 gr HBRN. I load it to same OAL as 230 gr RN and shoots very accurate with lighter recoil. TJ Conevera's sells them for $118/1000 including free shipping - http://www.tjconevera.com/berrys-45-cal-185-gr.html



As for other plated bullets, TJ Conevera's sells X-Treme bullets at lower price than jacketed bullets (Powder Valley sells Zero 230 gr FMJ for $122/1000 but you need to add shipping charges and they are out of stock). My experience with X-Treme bullets have been very consistent. Some of their bullets are sized larger (like Berry's) and their 230 gr RN is sized at .452". I have pushed X-Treme plated bullets to jacketed velocities without issues but use lead load data or mid-range jacketed load data with good results.

230 gr RN - $121/1000 and includes free shipping - http://www.tjconevera.com/x4523rnplbu1.html



yhst-19878442352198_2200_2024085
 
Must have gotten lucky....Got 1000 of each 230 g .451 and 115 g 9mm Zeros a few weeks ago from PV before the 230's went out of stock. Had to pay for shipping but it was only $14.

I also ordered 500 .357 158 grainers and 500 .429 240 grainers from Powerbond last week and got free shipping. It looks like the free shipping deal is over...EDIT: they aren't advertising it outright but when you click on the bullet weight that you want it looks like they are still offering free shipping!

I'm not sure if it will work with all the freak out buying going on now but being patient has really paid off for me. You might want to just keep checking back to the sites that you buy from and order when they come back in stock.

I have had great luck with plated bullets from Berry's and Rainier.....Don't fret too much over brand....just buy when you get the chance.
 
As for other plated bullets, TJ Conevera's sells X-Treme bullets at lower price than jacketed bullets (Powder Valley sells Zero 230 gr FMJ for $122/1000 but you need to add shipping charges and they are out of stock). My experience with X-Treme bullets have been very consistent. Some of their bullets are sized larger (like Berry's) and their 230 gr RN is sized at .452". I have pushed X-Treme plated bullets to jacketed velocities without issues but use lead load data or mid-range jacketed load data with good results.

230 gr RN - $121/1000 and includes free shipping - http://www.tjconevera.com/x4523rnplbu1.html
Click to expand...


I second that. I have purchased 2000/230gr 45acp, 2000/40s&w, and 1000/38spl From them this year so far. Shipping is very fast. My last order was placed online on a Friday morning around 6:30am. I got a email saying I would have them on the following Monday. Right on target! Got them Monday! Great customer service.

Also check out XTreme Bullets web site for larger orders of say 3000+. They do charge for shipping, but you can ship 3 boxes for the flat shipping rate. There prices are quite a bit cheaper than TJ's. My only concern is turn around time on getting your bullets
 
Jim, I tried RMR & will be getting some of what I'm needing there. They don't have an .45 listed - or at least not anywhere I could find it on their website.
 
There is not reason not to get the Berry's Plated. Since I shoot at a indoor range, full encapsulation of the core is a must for me. I have shot all 185, 200 and 230 gr bullets and Prefer the 185gr HBRN. I shoot the 230gr too since I only need to adj the powder charge since the profile are the same. I use WST on my 45acp loads.
 
^ Wow, those look really amazing... for two bullets. How does your quality control hold up when you try to churn them out by the hundreds? :)
 
If you asked the same question last week I would have said that there was no reason not to use Berrys. Today I have doubts if I will ever use them anymore. I have some of their 30-30fp bullets and I was unable to get enough neck tension to hold them in the case. I was using the same brass and dies that I load jacketed bullets with. I measured some and they ranged .305 to .307 in diameter. I can understand that this could happen with any brand, but the issue I am having is that I contacted them and the only reply that I got back was "Thank you for contacting us".
 
>>>Wow, those look really amazing... for two bullets. How does your quality control hold up when you try to churn them out by the hundreds?<<<

Well, I'm using a good high-quality mold from Accurate Molds. And it took a few casting sessions before I could turn them out on a consistent basis. Last Saturday I cast a little over 400 of them and had maybe a dozen rejects.

Disclaimer: Everything I know about casting I learned on http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/
 
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