Berry’s bullets?

[jski]

Are Berry’s bullets more than just for range ammo? Are they adequate for self defense purposes? Are the more than adequate for self defense? They do make HP bullets.

 

[edwardware]

Last I looked, they make swaged plated bullets. While a HP plated bullet will achieve one of the accuracy advantages of a JHP (the hollow moves the CG back toward the base), it's not designed to expand. It might expand, but the hollows I've seen see are pretty small.

Additionally, the plating can't be pushed to the velocity of a jacket, but that only matters sometimes.

 

[brewer12345]

I load their plated dewc to 1.24" over 4.0 grains of hp38 in 38 special. They seem to be pretty hard bullets, but I consider that to be a viable self defense option in a snub.

 

[magyars4]

ANY bullet can be used for SD...if that's all you have, use em!

 

[sparkyv]

That's a fact.

ANY bullet can be used for SD...if that's all you have, use em!

 

[lordpaxman]

I don’t want to start the whole “do you load your own SD ammo” debate, but if I did load my own, I’d pick a bullet that the factory versions of SD ammo use or something close to it. If you only have Berrys, well, something is better than nothing. Good luck!

 

[Hartkopf]

There are better choices if you can find them anywhere. Midway had Sig V Crown and Hornady bullets in stock not long ago. Self defense bullets have been tested and the big name ones have been street tested (GoldDots, HST, Hornady) If you can't find a self defense bullet or a box of good hollow point cartridges anywhere, Berry's are good quality and are way better than nothing.

 

[whughett]

There are better choices if you can find them anywhere. Midway had Sig V Crown and Hornady bullets in stock not long ago. Self defense bullets have been tested and the big name ones have been street tested (GoldDots, HST, Hornady) If you can't find a self defense bullet or a box of good hollow point cartridges anywhere, Berry's are good quality and are way better than nothing.

I’ve been trying the Berry’s and another plated bullets in a PCC 9MM. The velocity factor is a pain in the butt. Once this batch is gone, it’s 1500 bullets, I’m going back to FMJ.
On using plated lead bullets for SD. It’s funny how technology seems to make us think old methods tried and true no longer work. People have been killing things with plain lead projectiles since plain lead projectiles were invented. Newer may be better but any bullet is better than a club and placement is still the deciding factor.

 

[Ruger 15151]

I don’t want to start the whole “do you load your own SD ammo” debate, but if I did load my own, I’d pick a bullet that the factory versions of SD ammo use or something close to it. If you only have Berrys, well, something is better than nothing. Good luck!

This^^^^^^

As was previously stated, any bullet could potentially be lethal. However, there is a reason that SD ammo has expanding HP bullets driven as very high velocity and a plated bullet like Berrys HPs are not designed to do either.

If you need something to protect your life, would you rather have a plinking bullet or something that was actually designed for self defense?

 

[Waterboy3313]

Any bullets are better than no bullets. I have used a lot of berry's plated in 45 acp for plinking seems they work good for that. Accuracy is decent under 10 yards. I would rather use my self defense ammo for self defense.

 

[jmorris]

I used to buy them by the pallet, won lots of matches shooting them.

They are not the most accurate bullets but not the least. I have killed pigs and coyotes with their 9mm 147gn RN. Wouldn’t be my first choice if my life were on the line but they ended theirs.

 

[fxvr5]

Berry's Hybrid hollow point bullets are designed for self defense. This is what they say about them:

Berry's Hybrid Hollow Points are the result of two merged developmental ideas. Following the same process as our Superior Plated Bullets®, they start with a swaged lead core that is then electroplated with copper to final weight. Lastly, they are re-struck to ensure precise specifications and create the Hybrid Hollow Point nose design. This design allows for maximum expansion and weight retention, becoming one of the most reliable self defense bullets available today. The 9mm's penetration is 11"-13".

https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp-9mm-356-124gr-hhp

For the bullet above they suggest:

Bullet O.A.L.: .538"

Cartridge Name: 9mm
Cartridge O.A.L.: 1.090"
Recommended Velocity: 1050 - 1150 fps

 

[Ruger 15151]

Berry's Hybrid hollow point bullets are designed for self defense. This is what they say about them:

Berry's Hybrid Hollow Points are the result of two merged developmental ideas. Following the same process as our Superior Plated Bullets®, they start with a swaged lead core that is then electroplated with copper to final weight. Lastly, they are re-struck to ensure precise specifications and create the Hybrid Hollow Point nose design. This design allows for maximum expansion and weight retention, becoming one of the most reliable self defense bullets available today. The 9mm's penetration is 11"-13".

https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp-9mm-356-124gr-hhp

For the bullet above they suggest:

Bullet O.A.L.: .538"

Cartridge Name: 9mm
Cartridge O.A.L.: 1.090"
Recommended Velocity: 1050 - 1150 fps

To each his own. Load 'em up!

I'll not bet my life on a plinking bullet.

 

[fxvr5]

To each his own. Load 'em up!

I'll not bet my life on a plinking bullet.

The Hybrid hollow point bullets are a separate line from their 'regular' plated bullets.

 

[whughett]

Just how durable, velocity wise are plated bullets. Would an average velocity of 1240 FPS mean much. Berry’s says 1200 FPS, Cascade bullet packaging is moot, no labeling. I’m trying to use them, 115 grain Berry’s, 124 grain Cascade, in a PCC 9MM by Masterpiece Arms. Accuracy at 50 yards rots The bullet or the carbine or both. Normally I‘D add shooter but a buddy is an Army qualified Expert and he didn’t shoot any better. Perhaps I should have started a thread, apologies to the op for wandering away from the thread.

 

[rfwobbly]

Most of Berry's line is for target work. However, about 5 years ago they introduced the Hybrid Hollowpoint which is a serious self-defense bullet. It directly competes against the Speer GoldDot.

https://www.berrysmfg.com/category/hhp

If you are loading your own SD ammo, then you seriously need to look at the HHP. The pricing is excellent.

 

[GW Staar]

Berry's Hybrid hollow point bullets are designed for self defense. This is what they say about them:

Berry's Hybrid Hollow Points are the result of two merged developmental ideas. Following the same process as our Superior Plated Bullets®, they start with a swaged lead core that is then electroplated with copper to final weight. Lastly, they are re-struck to ensure precise specifications and create the Hybrid Hollow Point nose design. This design allows for maximum expansion and weight retention, becoming one of the most reliable self defense bullets available today. The 9mm's penetration is 11"-13".

https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp-9mm-356-124gr-hhp

For the bullet above they suggest:

Bullet O.A.L.: .538"

Cartridge Name: 9mm
Cartridge O.A.L.: 1.090"
Recommended Velocity: 1050 - 1150 fps

And they expand as well as Gold Dots IME. One problem.....they can't keep them in stock. Gold Dots are plated bullets too. One more thing....full metal jacket .45 acp with 230gr bullets work just fine to stop a charging enemy....and have since the Army started issuing Colts. Smaller calibers need more help for sure....expanding bullets are made to stop the bullets, and to stop the enemy....like .45's already did. As for the lawyers....they have more of a field day with DumDum bullets (expanding bullets) than target bullets (Berry's). Intent, is their perceived weapon.

 

[jmorris]

Just how durable, velocity wise are plated bullets. Would an average velocity of 1240 FPS mean much. Berry’s says 1200 FPS, Cascade bullet packaging is moot, no labeling. I’m trying to use them, 115 grain Berry’s, 124 grain Cascade, in a PCC 9MM by Masterpiece Arms. Accuracy at 50 yards rots The bullet or the carbine or both. Normally I‘D add shooter but a buddy is an Army qualified Expert and he didn’t shoot any better. Perhaps I should have started a thread, apologies to the op for wandering away from the thread.

If the accuracy is not what you would expect, try a decent bullet.

This is 10 rounds at 100 yards from a 9mm carbine with my Berry’s bullet loads.



This is 10 rounds I loaded using Winchester JHP’s.



I still load and shoot the Berry’s because they are clean and cheap, I just know their limitations.

If you push them hard enough that the plating starts coming off, you will see it on close targets like this,

 

[whughett]

If the accuracy is not what you would expect, try a decent bullet.

This is 10 rounds at 100 yards from a 9mm carbine with my Berry’s bullet loads.

View attachment 946078

This is 10 rounds I loaded using Winchester JHP’s.

View attachment 946079

I still load and shoot the Berry’s because they are clean and cheap, I just know their limitations.

Thanks. My 50 yard group are like your 100. I was beginning to think the plated bullets had their limitations.

 

[jmorris]

They certainly do have their limitations. Used within them and they can be a good choice though.

 

[markr6754]

I think this is one of those “What is your life worth?” questions. If I were attacked and all that was available was plinking ammo I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. That said, my carry guns, those that I am depending on to protect me and mine, will never have plated bullets outside of the range.

 

[derek45]

I think you're better off using cast & coated from guys like Bayou, SNS, etc, for practice, and quality JHP's from Hornady, Sierra, Speer, etc.

 

[fxvr5]

That said, my carry guns, those that I am depending on to protect me and mine, will never have plated bullets outside of the range.

I guess that rules out Speer Gold Dot hollow points.

 

[Dudedog]

All plated bullets are not created equal, some have thicker plating than others.

I do trust Gold Dots, never had to use them for SD but they seem to have a good track record in real life shootings.

 

[DocRock]

Good enough for me. YMMV.