Berry's 115gr with HP38...recipes?

[mudmanfloyd]

I've seen Hodgdon's load data for LRN bullets and HP38. I've seen Berry's recommends using LRN data or midrange jacketed data. What I haven't been able to find is many user's personal recipes for HP38 and plated 115's.

Anybody have any data specific to Berry's and HP38?

 

[Hondo 60]

If you have data from reliable manufacturers why would you want internet fodder?

What works great in my guns, may or may not be terrible in yours.
The best way to reload is start with that "reliable" data, start low & work up til you're hittin that sweet spot.

If you don't get that sweet spot, change powders & try again.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm going to guess you're loading for the 9mm...

I rarely load 115gr bullets in the 9mm but once and a while my son who does like then asks me to load up 500 for him. Last time I loaded plated bullets for him instead of lead because he doesn't like the smoke you get with lead. I use mostly W231/HP-38 and the load I use for him was 4.8gr W231 which wasn't all that stout but a real 9mm according to him. The OAL is 1.125" but you will have to check if that will work well in your handgun.

I have to agree though, if you have reliable data already why as people you don't know for data? Just curious...

 

[sexybeast]

I have a little different thought on this. Plated is just that,,,plated. A very thin coating on the lead. Definate not FMJ loads! I load them as I would do lead, maybe .2 more gr at max. When I had some Berry's or Rainier "plated" 115gr I loaded them at 4.2gr of 231. Accurate and soft. The gun functioned and the plates went down. What more can you ask for?

 

[Lj1941]

I use middle of the road jacketed data for Berry's plated bullets in 9 x 19. 4.8 grains for HP38/ W231
works fine for me in 115 grains. It has been a while but they clocked fast enough to make or excede 120 PF from my M & P full size. YMMMV of course.

 

[mudmanfloyd]

Thank you for the replies.

 

[david bachelder]

Hodgdon load data on the internet is a very reliable source.

Found at: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

They manufacture the powder .... who would know more than them?

Here is what Berry's has to say:
"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.

Other than the data from Western and Accurate for the 9mm, .40S&W and Hodgdon .40S&W there is no printed data available."

Also:
"Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads."

Straight from the horses mouth, so to say.

 

[david bachelder]

"Anybody have any data specific to Berry's and HP38?"

Look for load data on Win 231 if you can't find data on HP-38. They are one and the same.

FYI H-110 and Win 296 are also the exact same powder.

Hodgdon manufactures powder for Winchester. So the Winchester powder get a Winchester name and the Hodgdon powder gets a Hodgdon name. Different bottle .... different label ... same powder.

I used to work for a chemical plant that manufactured antifreeze. One day we would package WalMart antifreeze and the nest day we'd package Prestone or any different number of brands. It all came from the same tank, the only difference was a dye pack that came in each bottle.

Go figure.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

I have a little different thought on this. Plated is just that,,,plated. A very thin coating on the lead. Definate not FMJ loads! I load them as I would do lead, maybe .2 more gr at max. When I had some Berry's or Rainier "plated" 115gr I loaded them at 4.2gr of 231. Accurate and soft. The gun functioned and the plates went down. What more can you ask for?

I'm surprised those are working for you. I loaded the 124 Berrys I had over 4.4gr and they are pretty light shooters. Those things must barely cycle your action >.>

 

[sexybeast]

I'm surprised those are working for you. I loaded the 124 Berrys I had over 4.4gr and they are pretty light shooters. Those things must barely cycle your action >.>

I shoot mostly out of a Glock 17 and M&P 9pro. They cycle well. With lead Missouri 115s I use 4.0 gr. they cycle well also and any more powder and the accuracy starts to suffer. I use two scales and am sure of the weights.
When I get a new bullet that I have not shot before I work up loads for it. I never shoot max and I usually start out before minimum and make up at least 15 of each and test them and have a friend also test them and then we compare. At 4.2 gr of 231 with a 115 lead Missouri bullet, the accuracy started to suffer and the shots started to spread out. With lead 125 Missouri the accuracy really started to suffer and spread out at 4.0gr. With Berry's and Rainiers you can push a little harder but not much. Rainiers are soft lead with a plating, Berry's may be harder. Its been a while since I shot them.
Accuracy is the important consideration for me, not power factor. Whats the point of making power factor when you can't hit anything!

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Interesting. From what I have read Berry's are a bit harder. Alot of people say you want between max lead and min FMJ charge

 

[Walkalong]

They will easily take more than starting jacketed charges.

 

[sexybeast]

Just looked up their load data on Hogdon's website for lead. They suggest a starting load of 4.3 gr and 4.8 as a max load with 231/hp38. I don't agree with that for accuracy. [at least out of my guns with the last batch of powder I had] I started getting tumblers at 4.4 and there is no way I would go to 4.8. I would not hit anything.
This is how I would do it with your Berrys: Load ten rounds with 4.2, ten with 4.4, ten with 4.6, ten with 4.8, and ten with 5.0. Benchrest shoot them at 30 feed on seperate targets so you don't get confused. Mark them with the info you are using. And look at your results. The one that functions the gun and gives you the best accuracy is the one you use. I would bet the hotter ones won't be accurate at all especially the one at 5.0 but this is a great way to see how the bullets behave. And none of these loads are out of spec for FMJ.
Yeah you have to sacrafice 50rds to figure out what works best but this is the best way in my opinion.

I have never tumbled any plated bullets though.

My mistake Walkalong, I meant keyhole.

 

[Walkalong]

Agreed, try multiple charge weights, and mark them somehow. I have never tumbled any plated bullets though.

 

[J_McLeod]

My go to load for 9mm is 4.8-9 gr on Win231 with a 115gr jacketed bullet @ 1.125.