Berry's plated bullets - lead or jacketed data?

DaveInPA · February 22, 2009, 12:50 AM

I got some Berry's 200gr JHP .45ACP bullets tonight, and I'm wondering if I should be using lead or jacketed load data.

Scorch · February 22, 2009, 01:13 AM

Berry's recommends using lead bullet data.

zxcvbob · February 22, 2009, 01:17 AM

Lead and jacketed bullet load data generally overlap. That's what you want; that middle area.

DWARREN123 · February 22, 2009, 07:00 AM

I do 40 S&W and on plated bullets start out at the lower end of jacketed data. As long as I don't run them over 1,000 FPS I have no trouble.
It can also depend on your firearm my XD/XDm will run them accurately at a higher FPS than my Glocks did.

Nnobby45 · February 22, 2009, 07:53 AM

I use X-treme plated bullets for .45. They recommend jacketed bullet data from the Speer manual. I think at one time, Speer listed loads for plated bullets.

Velocity of plated is very similar (according to my chrono) to Rem. or Win. jkt'd HB using W231 with same powder charges.

I use Berry 200 gr. RNFP's in .44 Special and I use jkt'd bullet data, which, I believe, makes the load more conservative than the harder copper jkt. Because my loads are no where near max., I don't worry about it.

If you stop to think about it, plated bullets are kinda between lead and jacketed. As some have pointed out, a load in the middle, between min. and max, should keep you out of trouble.

I think the hardness of the lead is a bigger factor than the thin copper plating. Perhaps that's why a plated bullet could act more like lead, or more like jacketed. I think the jacketed data might produce slightly less vel/pressure with plated bullets. And the lead data maybe slightly more.

As some have pointed out, stay away from max, and build yourself a nice safe cushion in the middle or more toward min. This is where a chrono can come in really handy. Just remember that, while velocity and pressure are closely related, the chrono only measures velocity, so you can't always assume that a certain increase in velocity doesn't cause a HIGHER increase in pressure. That's why staying well away from max is a good idea if you're going to use bullets other than what's SPECIFICALLY listed in the manual. Still, the chrono is a good guide.

rn22723 · February 22, 2009, 09:21 AM

Lead data all the way! Be very carefull when you crimp, so as to not crease the plating!

February 22, 2009, 12:50 AM	#1
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	Berry's plated bullets - lead or jacketed data? I got some Berry's 200gr JHP .45ACP bullets tonight, and I'm wondering if I should be using lead or jacketed load data.

February 22, 2009, 01:13 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Berry's recommends using lead bullet data. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 22, 2009, 01:17 AM	#3
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Lead and jacketed bullet load data generally overlap. That's what you want; that middle area. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

February 22, 2009, 07:00 AM	#4
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	I do 40 S&W and on plated bullets start out at the lower end of jacketed data. As long as I don't run them over 1,000 FPS I have no trouble. It can also depend on your firearm my XD/XDm will run them accurately at a higher FPS than my Glocks did. __________________ Have a nice day!

February 22, 2009, 07:53 AM	#5
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	I use X-treme plated bullets for .45. They recommend jacketed bullet data from the Speer manual. I think at one time, Speer listed loads for plated bullets. Velocity of plated is very similar (according to my chrono) to Rem. or Win. jkt'd HB using W231 with same powder charges. I use Berry 200 gr. RNFP's in .44 Special and I use jkt'd bullet data, which, I believe, makes the load more conservative than the harder copper jkt. Because my loads are no where near max., I don't worry about it. If you stop to think about it, plated bullets are kinda between lead and jacketed. As some have pointed out, a load in the middle, between min. and max, should keep you out of trouble. I think the hardness of the lead is a bigger factor than the thin copper plating. Perhaps that's why a plated bullet could act more like lead, or more like jacketed. I think the jacketed data might produce slightly less vel/pressure with plated bullets. And the lead data maybe slightly more. As some have pointed out, stay away from max, and build yourself a nice safe cushion in the middle or more toward min. This is where a chrono can come in really handy. Just remember that, while velocity and pressure are closely related, the chrono only measures velocity, so you can't always assume that a certain increase in velocity doesn't cause a HIGHER increase in pressure. That's why staying well away from max is a good idea if you're going to use bullets other than what's SPECIFICALLY listed in the manual. Still, the chrono is a good guide. Last edited by Nnobby45; February 22, 2009 at 08:11 AM.

February 22, 2009, 09:21 AM	#6
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Lead data all the way! Be very carefull when you crimp, so as to not crease the plating!