COL for Berry's 9mm 124 gr. HP

[jeff788]

Hello everybody,
I got a good deal on some Berry's 9mm 124 gr hollow-points (i.e. I found some in stock). These are plated bullets. I've loaded plated bullets before, so I have some loads that I like for 124 gr plated bullets, however I can't find any COL suggestions for these bullets. There are obviously much "flatter" than a FMJ, but the hollow point cavity is not very deep, so I would think that the COL should be less than for JHP with a large cavity. My speer manual says to be careful not to seat 9mm to deep since is has limited powder capacity as is. Any suggestions?

 

[Walkalong]

I loaded them at 1.030 when I tried them. Worked well in some guns, but were finicky in others. Ran 100% in an EMP. I much prefer the Berrys (or Ranier) 124 Gr RN for plinking. (Ranier has priced themselves out of consideration for me. I will buy jacketed over plated when the price of jacketed is the same or less) I switched to Berrys and some X-treme plated bullets, and am very happy with both.

The Berrys 124 Gr HP was .3555 X .549. The Ranier 115 Gr I was using was .356 X .564 loaded at 1.130, so the Berrys 124 Gr HP was so (if my math is right) they were seated about .085 deeper in the case.

Start with 124 Gr HP or FP jacketed starting loads and stop around 75% of max, or where you feel comfortable. I routinely run the Ranier 115 Gr RN at max jacketed data with seemingly no ill effects. No pressure signs, no excessive velocities, no evidence of it beating up the guns etc.

I also load them lighter for general fun plinking.

Some plated data

 

[rcmodel]

Take the barrel out of your gun and use it for a chamber guage.

You have to seat the Berry's HP, or any other TC nose bullet deep enough that the full diameter of the bullet doesn't get into the rifling leade before they can completely chamber.

Whatever that depth is is what you have to use.

I have to seat them 1.040" for my SIG P6, although they can be longer for my S&W 39.

rc

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

mind the fit into the magazine. I've found that for my semi-autos the round must be fairly loose fit for good feeding.