Reloading with Berry's Bullet 45ACP (.452) 200gr HBFP...load data help!!!

[ElvinL]

Hi all...need some help. Have been checking out this forum for about a year but just now joined. Have done some loading in the last year or so, but still consider myself a newb.
Ha...I started reloading to cut costs of ammo so I could shoot more, but have since realized that reloading is becoming a hobby in and of itself!
Just moved from a Lee Turret press to a Hornady LNL AP.

I purchased Berry's plated bullets (.452 200gr HBFP) and am using Hogdon with HS-6 powder. I would prefer another powder (Unique, Universal, Titegroup, etc.)
but this is what I found locally in stock. My loads are just for general plinking, etc. (.45ACP).

The Hogdon website only shows this for suggested load:
200gr SPR JHP
Start: 8.2 @ 868fps
Max: 9.0 @ 948fps
COL: 1.115"

I am not certain how to accurately look up loads. I don't really understand the hollow-base concept and frankly, the different acronym's used across the spectrum are confusing
when comparing load data between different reloading manuals. :banghead:

My question: Is the above load data (200gr SPR JHP) the same as the suggested load data for a jacketed hollow-point in other manuals?

I have recent reload manuals for Hornady, Sierra, Lyman and of course the load data recoomendations that come with my die sets.

Any help, suggestions, idea's would be greatly appreciated. Thx

Elvin
Phoenix, AZ

 

[kcofohio]

Look for lead bullet data. You should be able to start at mid point of that data for plated. 1.115" seems too short OAL for that bullet. I don't have access to my data, but it seems that I loaded closer to 1.170" for the 200 gr.

 

[Dudemeister]

The basic idea of a hollow base is that you can make a bullet that is longer in length, but lighter. In general a 200gr .452 is pretty short, and only a small part of it would be inside the case (maybe 1/8" or so). The hollow base bullet is nearly as long as a 250gr, but because it's partially hollow it only weight 200gr.

The advantages are:
1. When it's seated to the proper depth, a lot more of the bullet is in the case (about 1/4"), and
2. the longer bullet engages the rifling in the barrel better and is more accurate.

As far as loading it, it's the same as any other 200gr. bullet. Plated bullets are usually loaded somewhere between jacketed and lead. If you want a softer recoil, load them as if they were lead. In your case look for LRNFP (Lead, round nose, flat point), and use that data.

 

[ElvinL]

So....

The Hogdon website shows this for lead load:

200 GR. CAST LSWC
Start: 8.2 @ 860fps
Max: 8.4 @ 907fps
COL: 1.225"

This be the same for my Berry's 200gr. Plated/HBFP I am inquiring about?

 

[Blue68f100]

Berry's recommends lead data up to mid data Jacketed on there plated bullets. Rainer recommends to use lead data. I have found you do not want to push them hard as accuracy will drop off. I normally stop 0.1-0.2 gr before their max charge ( mid jacket) for best accuracy. Be careful with the TC so you do not cut through the plating. I normally shoot the 185gr HBRN which is the same profile as their 230grRN. So I never have to adj my seating die when switching between the 2.

 

[kcofohio]

I looked at my data, and it was at 1.170" with 5.6-5.7 gr. HP-38.

I don't see who's SWC Hodgdon used for their data. But generally, SWC's are longer than their flat nose counterpart. I have samples of Berry's SWC and FN, non-HB. Both are 200 gr. The FN is .525" and the SWC is .600". Finding where your bullet will properly chamber, it will probably be shorter than 1.225" OAL.

Since you only have data showing a .2 gr. range, start with the lowest list. See if your gun cycles properly. One good thing, is that the data shows 16,300 CUP for max load.

 

[Dudemeister]

The Hogdon website shows this for lead load:

200 GR. CAST LSWC
Start: 8.2 @ 860fps
Max: 8.4 @ 907fps
COL: 1.225"

This be the same for my Berry's 200gr. Plated/HBFP I am inquiring about?

I use Clays for my powder, so I have a bit more range to play with. I would use the starting load and pretty much stay there, because the difference is only .2gr. I don't know about your scale or how well HS-8 meters, but you may have to be careful and measure a lot of samples to make sure your powder measure is consistent.

Anyway, regarding COL., a semi semi-wadcutter tapers dramatically so it usually doesn't have issues with the bullet hitting the rifling when seated. A round nosed bullet ( or one that has a rounded profile) needs to be seated deep enough so the bullet doesn't engage the rifling when it pushed into the breech.

I suggest that you seat the bullet to the recommended depth for the JHP, which in profile is similar to your HB flat point. If you want to seat it a bit higher, start at 1.7 or so, and do the "plunk" test. Drop the bullet into the breech and see of it sits nice and flat. If the lip of the cartridge hits the rim of the headspace inside chamber you'll hear a nice "plunk" sound. If the bullet hits the rifling instead you'll hear thud like sound and you'll be able to see or feel that the head of the bullet is sticking out partially. If that happens adjust the dies to seat the bullet down further.

Good luck.

 

[Blue68f100]

Where did this SWC come from??? He was asking about HBFP.

On SWC you seat so you have about a thumbnail thickness showing at the mouth. This depending on mfg will give you around 1.250" OAL.

 

[HighExpert]

You have my sympathy being stuck with a poor choice for powder. I have loaded well over 500,000 .45acp in my 40 years of loading and 95% of them have used bullseye. Nothing works better or cheaper. Hopefully, you can find some.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I have been loading a lot of 185gr. HBRN in .45acp from berry's, and I also load Berry's 230gr. As with any load I always start low and work up to the best load for me. I load all of my 45 to 1.250 OAL, now I did find that with the HBRN I had to add more powder than there listed max to get an acceptable load for me. I also noticed the the OAL length of the HB is .040 shorter than the 230gr RN, which make sense as why you load it shorter. Not sure if this helps but I really like the HBRN bullets from Berry's.

 

[gunlaw]

In my experience hs-6 works just fine in 45 acp. Keep in mind that it works best at max or close to it.