OAL for Berry's 200gr FP?

[gregj]

I've been loading Berry's for some time in various calibers, but thougth I would try their 200gr FP as I have an indoor IDPA match coming up. This range doesnt allow cast bullets, and lately I've been shooting Precision 200gr SWC and RNFP and thought I would play it safe (as far as what the range allows) and get some Berry's for the match.

I usually load my Precisions at 5.4gr of W231 and OAL of 1.245 for the SWC and 1.220 for the RNFP. These have worked quite well in my Kimbers. The Precision RNFP bullets are a little taller than the Berrys. I have a few of the Berrys loaded at 1.200 to test, which seems a little tall, but they do feed and manually cycle well.

Just thought I would see what other's experience has been.

 

[john16443]

Sure hope you get the same answers you did on 1911forum

For comparison to your COL of 1.245 for the Precision SWC's, I set mine at 1.26", also wth 5.4g W231.

 

[gregj]

LOL Yeah, sometimes I like to do comparision shopping.

I found with my Kimber that OALs longer than 1.25, when ejecting a cartridge (not empty case), it would hang up on the barrel hood. This is a problem at matches where you have to drop the mag, eject the chambered round and show clear. 1.245 was about the longest I felt like I could reliably eject the chambered round.

 

[john16443]

LOL Yeah, sometimes I like to do comparision shopping.

You're not the only one, I do the same. Sometimes I'm shocked at some of the answers, but hey, that's why we 'shop around'.

 

[Walkalong]

The Berrys 200 Gr HP shoots better, and feeds great. I shoot it at 1.200. When I tried the 200 FP, I shot it at 1.185 with good luck as far as feeding. Might start longer though.

 

[john16443]

The Berrys 200 Gr HP shoots better, and feeds great. I shoot it at 1.200.

Walkalong - is your measure of shoots better relate to accuracy? If so, rest or off-hand at what distance? May have to give tht one a try.

 

[Walkalong]

Consistently more accurate in my guns shooting off hand. For IDPA you want 100% reliability as well, and the HP will feed better. The OP mentioned IDPA.

 

[gregj]

Walkalong, you mentioned I might start longer on the FP. Just curious why. I assume you meant longer than the 1.185 you had tested your loads at.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, longer than 1.185, although they fed at 1.185. If I had more I was going to try them at a little longer O.A.L.. I just never did it. I liked the HP much better.

 

[gregj]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll find out how they work at 1.200 this weekend.