Berry's bullets and load data...

[db_tanker]

Just a quick question to those that use the Berry's plated bullets...

Do you use jacketed data or lead data for these? I have never used them and was wanting to get some of the 148 gr WC's for my gals 38 special.

I was going to use a 3.2 gr charge of 231 for this but if I need to use jacketed load data then I will have to jack that up a bit naturally.


Thanks for any advice!

D

 

[dtalley]

Check Berry's website but I use midrange jacketed data. I have good luck with it and that is what others here have recommended and I think that is what I read on Berry's website.

 

[RustyFN]

On the Berry's web site they say to use the middle jacketed load data. As long as you keep them under 1200 fps you will be ok. I use a lot of Berry's bullets and I like them a lot. I use 9mm and I load them as light jackered and cast data and they shoot great.
Rusty

 

[Luggernut]

Like everyone else says... load then somewhere between a lead and FMJ load. I don't usually don't load my FMJs too hot so I use the same load with Berrys. I like them. I also found out CCI Blazer Brass in .40S&W and .45ACP is a plated bullet and have always liked them as well.

 

[JJE]

As far as I know, nobody makes a jacketed 148 gr .357 WC, so I started with lead data.

I shot 50 of these last week out of a S&W Model 10 snubby (+P rated) and a 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk - my first batch. Very clean shooting and minimal flash. I used 3.5 gr W231, based on the fact that I use 3.3 gr W231 for lead 148 gr HBWC (most shooters seem to use 3.1 gr W231 for this bullet), and I wanted a bit more push to compensate for the higher friction of the plating compared to lead.

Out of the snubby most of the holes in the paper targets showed quite a bit of tearing at 20 feet - telling me that the bullet velocity was too low to stabilize the bullet (no, I don't have a chrony). Out of the Ruger, the same load at the same distance was making much cleaner holes (maybe 1 in 10 had a slight tear), which makes sense because the longer barrel would produce higher velocity.

I suspect you are going to get very low velocity with 3.2 gr W231 and depending on barrel length, you may not get those nice clean holes that everyone likes so much.

Instead of pushing the HBWC any harder, I may just shoot them all with this load and try the 148 gr DEWC - less bearing surface from shorter bullet sides may give me more velocity without increasing the powder charge. Supposedly the HBWC is more accurate than the DEWC, but I doubt I could tell the difference with my current shooting skills.

 

[db_tanker]

sounds good folks. Thanks for the advice.

The pistol is a 2 1/2" snubby...but I will bump up my loads accordingly...


D