Need Advice Berry's .45

[ASG]

Hi everyone,

I loaded some 200 Berry's FP bullets in .45 ACP using 4.2 Gr of Bullseye and went up to 5.2 Gr. I was looking for a light load for a Springfield GI model. I could not get any decent groups using that range of powder charge. The bullets measure .452" (I thought that they were .451")

An old timer at the range said that that particular bullet did not seem to stabilized with that gun, hence the poor groups (4-5" across at 15 yards). He recommended a different type of bullet.

I thought that it would be better if I tried a different type of powder, and the guy said that it would not matter. Before I spend more on bullets, do you think I should try a different powder? I have WInchester 231, Accurate #5, and Hodgdon Titegroup on hand.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

ASG

 

[ReloaderFred]

I'm also an old timer, and I'm telling your old timer he doesn't know what he's talking about. I get excellent accuracy with those bullets from my 1911's, Witnesses and Springfield XD with Berry's bullets, including the one you're shooting. Those bullets are supposed to be .452", since they're basically a soft bullet with a thin shell of copper over it.

You can also experiment with different seating depths, and that will often have an impact on accuracy, as well as feeding.

I normally don't give loading data, but try 5.5 grains of Winchester 231 with that bullet and see what that does for you. I also suggest shooting it from sandbags, if you haven't done so already.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

W-231 will work great, although Bullseye should have too. I like the Berrys 200 Gr HP better than the 200 Gr FP, but the FP shot pretty well when I tried it. Of the Accurate powders, I like AA #2 for plated bullets in the .45, and AA #5 to push jacketed hard, although modest charges of AA #5 should work well.

4 to 5 inches at 15 yards. I assume you usually shoot better than this?

 

[ASG]

All of the loads were fired over a sandbag.

ASG

4 to 5 inches at 15 yards. I assume you usually shoot better than this

 

[D. Manley]

If you normally shoot better (and, I'm assuming you do benched), you may be over-crimping. Pull a couple of loaded rounds and see if your crimp is digging into the bullets. If it is, it can destroy accuracy. Crimp the plated bullets just enough to remove the bell on the case and chamber properly. A slight visible mark on the bullet is OK but if it's sharp and distinct or if the plating is cut, back it off.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Manley might be onto something. The Berry bullets are fairly soft, so your crimp should be minimal. I use a lot of Berry's and try not to leave any visible marks on the ones I load.

 

[ASG]

The crimp has been minimal. What I do is make a couple of dummy rounds and then use a bullet puller to pull it apart and see if it leaves any crimping marks on the bullet. So far no marks.

What do you all recommend for an overall length? Right now it is at 1.209".

ASG

 

[Walkalong]

When I tried the Berrys 200 Gr FP I seated them to 1.185 O.A.L. That worked in my guns.

 

[Sport45]

For comparison, what kind of groups are you getting with other bullets or factory ammo at 15 yards?

 

[massmatt]

At 15 yards with 230RN FMJ I have been fairly tight groups. 3 out of 5 shots generally revmove the center of the target. I use a very light crimp and seat at 1.23-1.24. I shoot from a SW1911. I have been loading Rainier 230GR RN FMJ with 5.5GR of W231.

 

[D. Manley]

As others suggested you might vary your OAL a bit but I doubt if seating depth is making the large differences in group size you describe. Any chance you could run these through another gun as a reference? Although not likely, it's not impossible that your barrel just doesn't "like" the .452 bullets. The only Berrys bullet that I've seen repeated posts regarding accuracy problems is their 147 grain 9MM bullet which seems to tumble in some guns.