Thoughts on Berry's .458 bullets?

C

Captain*kirk

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Joined
Oct 22, 2010
Messages
1,186
Location
Waukegan, IL
Has anyone tried these? They appear to be reasonably priced for range fodder; much cheaper than your average jacketed bullet. I'm starting from scratch on building a load for a new rifle and want a bullet that will be readily available. Would appreciate any feedback, good or bad, regarding this bullet. Thanks.

www.midwayusa.com

Berry's Superior Plated Bullets 45-70 Government (458 Diameter) 350

Berry's bullets are swaged from a custom alloyed lead for uniformity, then plated to final weight and put back in a carbide die to be re-struck to the...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
 
I’ve been thinking about trying some as Cabela’s has them on sale for $31.98 but still have enough 405 cast to keep me from doing it so far.
 
Captain*kirk said:
Mostly airborne lead reduction and and barrel leading.
Click to expand...

To answer your original question... I'm sure the Berry's are quality bullets. I've used them in handgun cartridges, I'm sure the rifle bullets are engineered to perform well at rifle velocities. The only downside to a plated bullet is the inability to adjust the bullet for the size of your bore. I would try a small sample to see how well they do, and go from there. Another option is Xtreme plated bullets, I've recently started using them, over the Berry's. Another benefit for Xtreme is they provide load data for their bullets.

I won't speak to the airborne lead issue... if you are shooting outside I think it's a moot point, unless you are shooting into a headwind or something, but everyone has their own risk level, and I wouldn't fault you there. Barrel leading can be mitigated by a properly sized and lubed bullet... lead or otherwise. If your plated bullet is undersized for your bore, you are just going to trade leading for copper fouling.
 
To digress just a bit, I already load .45-70 for both Pedersoli Sharps (535 hard cast Postell/BPCR) and High Wall (405gr smokeless). Unfortunately, the rounds I am loading for the High Wall are with the Remington 405gr semi-jacketed FP bullet, which is no longer being sold as a component. So I'm looking for a suitable replacement that can withstand 1550-1600fps without a gas check...one that will still be around a decade from now. Which is why I was leaning towards the Berry's. Nothing against powder coated bullets, just don't know much about them. I get very little copper fouling in the High Wall and would like the same results with my new Winchester. All three loads will have their own COL as I try to keep the bullets close to the lands.
 
I can't speak to the .458 bullet, but the Berry's .308 30-30 bullet works very well for me. All my 45-70 so far has been cast. I've used a variety of their handgun bullets with success as well.
 
Captain*kirk said:
To digress just a bit, I already load .45-70 for both Pedersoli Sharps (535 hard cast Postell/BPCR) and High Wall (405gr smokeless). Unfortunately, the rounds I am loading for the High Wall are with the Remington 405gr semi-jacketed FP bullet, which is no longer being sold as a component. So I'm looking for a suitable replacement that can withstand 1550-1600fps without a gas check...one that will still be around a decade from now. Which is why I was leaning towards the Berry's. Nothing against powder coated bullets, just don't know much about them. I get very little copper fouling in the High Wall and would like the same results with my new Winchester. All three loads will have their own COL as I try to keep the bullets close to the lands.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are already well versed enough in loading the big .45. :) I load for a Pedersoli 1885 as well. Yea, Remington used to make a 215grn JSP for the .41MAG, one of the best bullets evarrrr.

Nothing magical about PC'ed bullets... even me, Mr. Locked into the Past, have shot them with good results, including .45-70.

I would say give the Berry's a go, you have very little to lose... and let us know how it works out.
 
Captain*kirk said:
To digress just a bit, I already load .45-70 for both Pedersoli Sharps (535 hard cast Postell/BPCR) and High Wall (405gr smokeless). Unfortunately, the rounds I am loading for the High Wall are with the Remington 405gr semi-jacketed FP bullet, which is no longer being sold as a component. So I'm looking for a suitable replacement that can withstand 1550-1600fps without a gas check...one that will still be around a decade from now. Which is why I was leaning towards the Berry's. Nothing against powder coated bullets, just don't know much about them. I get very little copper fouling in the High Wall and would like the same results with my new Winchester. All three loads will have their own COL as I try to keep the bullets close to the lands.
Click to expand...
For the purpose of low velosity rounds >2000 fps the pc or hi-tech serve as the gas check. It's the reason I advocate for pc is the reduced cost associated with gc's. I don't own a 45-70 mould that uses GC because of that. If one was pushing a 350 or 300 hard a GC would probably help but my shoulder checks out before that....
 
AJC1 said:
For the purpose of low velosity rounds >2000 fps the pc or hi-tech serve as the gas check. It's the reason I advocate for pc is the reduced cost associated with gc's. I don't own a 45-70 mould that uses GC because of that. If one was pushing a 350 or 300 hard a GC would probably help but my shoulder checks out before that....
Click to expand...
Exactly. When I go to the range, I generally like to shoot 20-40 rounds. Even with a recoil pad 1700+ rounds don't let me get that far.
 
Captain*kirk said:
Even with a recoil pad 1700+ rounds don't let me get that far.
Click to expand...

When I had my Marlin 1895 LTD V, I loaded some starting 'Lever-action' loads for it, hovering in the 1700fps range. Good heavens! I shot about 15 of them... and I couldn't take it anymore. I wound up pulling nearly 100 cartridges. That's when I set my velocity threshold at 1400fps with a 405grn bullet... I can shoot that all day long.

FWIW, I shoot some cast bullets, .30 cals, in the 1700-1800fps range... without gas checks... and they do fine. I don't cast my own, so I'm at the mercy of whatever the caster drops them at, but I rarely have issues with leading or accuracy once I get the bullet to bore diameter right, which can take a bit of experimentation... but, once I tap 1800fps, I vote for gas checks.

The bullet pulling carnage... :oops:

68cAYtHm.jpg
 
Charlie98 said:
When I had my Marlin 1895 LTD V, I loaded some starting 'Lever-action' loads for it, hovering in the 1700fps range. Good heavens! I shot about 15 of them... and I couldn't take it anymore. I wound up pulling nearly 100 cartridges. That's when I set my velocity threshold at 1400fps with a 405grn bullet... I can shoot that all day long.
Click to expand...
This.^^^^
I load my High Wall loads at standard Remington velocities...around 1350fps...with a 405gr bullet. Accurate and mild as a fuzzy kitten. Perfect for an afternoon at the range.
 
Captain*kirk said:
This.^^^^
I load my High Wall loads at standard Remington velocities...around 1350fps...with a 405gr bullet. Accurate and mild as a fuzzy kitten. Perfect for an afternoon at the range.
Click to expand...
What powder are you using. I'm trying to figure out if I can back off 4227 about 200 fps.... the starting modern lever load isn't much fun...
 
Charlie98 said:
When I had my Marlin 1895 LTD V, I loaded some starting 'Lever-action' loads for it, hovering in the 1700fps range. Good heavens! I shot about 15 of them... and I couldn't take it anymore. I wound up pulling nearly 100 cartridges. That's when I set my velocity threshold at 1400fps with a 405grn bullet... I can shoot that all day long.

FWIW, I shoot some cast bullets, .30 cals, in the 1700-1800fps range... without gas checks... and they do fine. I don't cast my own, so I'm at the mercy of whatever the caster drops them at, but I rarely have issues with leading or accuracy once I get the bullet to bore diameter right, which can take a bit of experimentation... but, once I tap 1800fps, I vote for gas checks.

The bullet pulling carnage... :oops:

68cAYtHm.jpg
Click to expand...
I clicked on this because I just ordered a bunch of Berry's bullets for 380 & 9mm

My 45/70 load for my Handi-rifle is 300 grain Sierra HP at 1900 FPS Over my chronograph
 
Captain*kirk said:
Accurate and mild as a fuzzy kitten.
Click to expand...

That's funny... I don't care who you are... :rofl:

AJC1 said:
What powder are you using. I'm trying to figure out if I can back off 4227 about 200 fps.... the starting modern lever load isn't much fun...
Click to expand...

John, let me know your load and I'll run it through the sausage grinder. You might be better off with something like 2400, but I don't see why you can't get IMR4227 to work... 👍 I have actual data for most of that, but just not IMR4227 in the .45-70, for some reason.

plumberroy said:
My 45/70 load for my Handi-rifle is 300 grain Sierra HP at 1900 FPS Over my chronograph
Click to expand...

I have a Classic Hunter in .45 Colt... I call it my Mini .45-70 (or my M79..). A full charge of IMR4227 under a 255grn or 270grn bullet is enough in that featherweight... never had an interest in one in .45-70.
 
Charlie98 said:
That's funny... I don't care who you are... :rofl:



John, let me know your load and I'll run it through the sausage grinder. You might be better off with something like 2400, but I don't see why you can't get IMR4227 to work... 👍 I have actual data for most of that, but just not IMR4227 in the .45-70, for some reason.



I have a Classic Hunter in .45 Colt... I call it my Mini .45-70 (or my M79..). A full charge of IMR4227 under a 255grn or 270grn bullet is enough in that featherweight... never had an interest in one in .45-70.
Click to expand...
When I bought it, I needed a hunting and farm gun. It was bought within a year of them coming out. It paid for itself in meat . I wanted a Ruger #1 but couldn't afford it. Once I got to the point I could afford a #1 I decided to just stick with my handi
 
I love my little H&R... I joke that it's as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.

I've got a Williams mounted on it, now... but those bullets just go where you aim them...

fEwk4Vcm.jpg
 
I've been shooting Berry's 150 grain plated bullets in my Marlin 30-30's, both Micro groove and Ballard rifling with great accuracy. Velocity is at 1600 fps.
 
Captain*kirk said:
Has anyone tried these? They appear to be reasonably priced for range fodder; much cheaper than your average jacketed bullet. I'm starting from scratch on building a load for a new rifle and want a bullet that will be readily available. Would appreciate any feedback, good or bad, regarding this bullet. Thanks.

www.midwayusa.com

Berry's Superior Plated Bullets 45-70 Government (458 Diameter) 350

Berry's bullets are swaged from a custom alloyed lead for uniformity, then plated to final weight and put back in a carbide die to be re-struck to the...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
Click to expand...
I have bought them for years 6" groups at 100yds with peep sights.
 
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