Berry's New Hollow Based Thick Plated Bullets

[ninelines]

Has anyone worked with these bullets yet?
I just got some in both 124 gr 9 mm and 165 40 w/FP's.
I understand that they are relatively new and wondered if anyone had tried them yet.

[engineermike]

I've used their hollow back bullets in the 40 S&W and they worked fine. I did however go back to their 180 HP bullets. Just a preference not that I had a problem or disliked the hollow back bullet.

[greenlion]

I looked at those lately too. I don't really want to push the velocity limits with my reloads, and the regular plated ones are a few dollars cheaper, so I haven't tried them yet. They are really cool though, and when he does the same thing with the 7.62x39 rifle bullets, so we can shoot those at full velocity, I will start reloading for 7.62x39. I may try some for 10mm eventually too.

[Taterhead]

I have not tried the thicker plated Berry's. However I did recently discover another manufacturer with thicker plated bullets that run more like jacketed. Thought I would mention it here.

I recently started using Power Bond plated for 10mm. The plating is much thicker than regular Berry's and Rainier. They seem to be high quality with weights within +/- .4 grains of 180. That was as consistent as a sample of 180 gr XTPs that I weighed. They are very nicely finished.

I have used a few thousand Berry's, but have never been able to warm them up at all, or groups deteriorate drastically. With Power Bond bullets, I have worked up velocities for the 180 to close to 1200 fps with great results. So I am making the switch. A 10 shot group @ 15 yards was within 2.5 inches (that is not as good as some of you shoot, but alright for me). At those speeds, Berry's would be all over with the occasional keyhole.

I contacted the manufacturer and they said that regular jacketed data is appropriate for their bullets. They don't call for the usual charge reduction as do other plated manufacturers. 1300 fps is the upper end for velocities, according to PB. I am going to continue to warm up velocities to see how they run. I don't expect to have any problems with them based upon what I have seen so far.

http://powerbondbullets.com/products.html

Prices include shipping, and is about the same as regular Berry's 180 gr FP bullets.

[HAMMERHEAD]

The 9mm 124 HBFP-TP was more accurate at 25 yards in my Glock 19 than any of the other plated bullets I tried.
My CZ 75 shoots all plated bullets well, so I don't see any difference there.
My conventional KKM .40 barrel in my G-29 preferred regular Rainier 165 FP's to any of the hollow base bullets.
So it seems they're like anything else, you have to try them.

[ninelines]

Taterhead, thanks for the link!! I will definately give them a look.

It is interesting that you mentioned inconsistant groupings with the Berry's.
That is exactly why I was going to give their hollow base a try. Don't get me wrong, I do like their products for economical plinking. But I have found consistant accuracy to be extremely elusive. In theroy, according to their website, "These bullets are a thick plate and the hollow base adds length to the bullet profile giving more bearing surface. Added bearing surface helps with accuracy in pistol barrels."

Sounded good enough to me to give 500 of 'em a try :-)

[Taterhead]

Taterhead, thanks for the link!! I will definately give them a look.

It is interesting that you mentioned inconsistant groupings with the Berry's.
That is exactly why I was going to give their hollow base a try. Don't get me wrong, I do like their products for economical plinking. But I have found consistant accuracy to be extremely elusive. In theroy, according to their website, "These bullets are a thick plate and the hollow base adds length to the bullet profile giving more bearing surface. Added bearing surface helps with accuracy in pistol barrels."

Sounded good enough to me to give 500 of 'em a try :-)

You are welcome.

One thing I did not mention earlier is that I did not need to treat the Power Bond bullets with "kid gloves" like I did with Berry's. Namely, giving an extra wide bell and seating longer so as to not disturb the plating. With the PB bullets I did everything consistent with what I would do with a regular jacketed bullet. No problems at all. I am very pleased.

Also, no hollow base, so the bullets seat to a normal depth.

[ninelines]

Taterhead, 10-4 on the "kid gloves" treatment.
I crushed several cases before I figured out my "bell"
wasn't big enough. In fact, I set up a universal sizing
die on a single stage press and dedicated it just for Berry's.
No other round (in 40 S&W) I was working with required such a broad
opening. Amazing what we'll spend to save a few pennies ;-)

I checked out the PB and they are scratching me right where I itch.
I shoot IDPA and my current competition round is Hornady's HAP.
I like them but they are very pricey to practice with and
I am putting myself at a disadvantage to practice with one
set up and compete with another. I could never trust Berry's for
consistency, as we discussed earlier.

I ordered 500 of the .40 FP 165 gr to try. I'm really impressed
with what I've learned about them.....and hey....free shipping!!!

[preventec47]

I need to tell you guys about a plated bullet I am using
called XTREME. I am using the 155gr FP 40cal at hot hot
10mm velocities and they are working out very nicely.

They are very short for a 155 gr and allow a little more
powder space whether it be 40SW or 10mm

I think I see a trend among several plated bullet guys
that they are putting thicker plate on their bullets
and they are now capable of handling higher velocities.

[Rinconjoe]

I too have switched to Power Bond seems to be more accurate only think I have changed and improved shooting .

[HAMMERHEAD]

I don't understand the kid gloves treatment. With Berry's and Rainier I just flare the case mouths about .005", barely visible before I seat them. I get great accuracy.

Are you guys working for powerbond or what? I've never heard of so much trouble with Berry's. Seems a little fishy.

[Rinconjoe]

no i don't work for powerbond but i bet if you called them they send you few bullets to try I am perfectly happy with there bullets , and I don't do the kid glove my seems to be more accurate because they are more Constantine in size and weight only thing i can figure .