Rainier Ballistics VS Berry's plated in .45 ACP

[Master Blaster]

I just wanted to share my experience with the two mentioned brands.

The Berry's were not as good quality as the Rainiers. given the fact that with shipping they both cost the same (Rainiers were 1.60 per thousand cheaper delivered) I am going with the Rainiers from now on.

The shape of the Rainiers in the 200 SWC is closer to the reliable hardcasts that I have been shooting. The Berry's gave me some ftf due a different shape and slightly shorter nose cone section.

The plating on the last batch of Berry's was pocked and there was a ring of white residue where the nosecone meets the shoulder.

The Rainiers were cosmetically perfect.

As far as the thickness of the plating goes they both seem about the same, but the quality of the plating is much better on the Rainiers. Rainiers have a cupped bottom, whereas the Berry's are flat with slight surface irregularities.

The sizing of the Rainiers is .451, Berry's .452, I do not see any difference in accuracy or fouling.

The load I am using with the Rainiers is 4.2 gr of N310 or 4.2gr of Titegroup.

Both produce little smoke and little fouling.

I would highly recommend the Rainiers.

 

[warrior23]

I've used Rainiers for years now and have no complaints.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Thanks for the comparison, I was going to try some Berry's since I have tried some Rainier's already. Guess I won't bother!

 

[M2HMGHB]

I had a couple bad Rainier's with the plating shorn off on the bottom. This was with a 200grain SWC .451 diameter. I have noticed the pockmarks on the Berry's but the Rainier's are sometimes the same way. Far as I'm concerned it's 1/2 dozen one way 6 the other

 

[45auto]

West Coast bullets has some nice 200 gr SWC copper plated also.

Not pitching a brand, just an alternative if inclined.

 

[45Badger]

Dittos on the West Coast 200 gr SWCs! Excellent bullets!

 

[MoNsTeR]

I'm interested in how you got Rainiers as cheap as Berry's. My suspicion is that, conversely, you got a really bad deal on the Berry's. I just bought 2000 .40 180gr FP's from Cabela's, $119 after shipping. Equivalent Rainiers would have been $150 shipped from Midway or $144 shipped from Graf & Sons. If you really can get Rainiers that cheap I'd love to know how, because I do prefer them.