Berry's bullets and 230gn 45 ACP

solitude127 · October 22, 2012, 01:13 PM

Hello all,
I'm wanting to start loading Berry's bullets in 230gn for 45 ACP. I was wondering what type of "recipes" you're using. I've looked in many manuals but can't find any definitive recipes. I've even looked on Berry's Bullets website and the just say to start at the low range of lead bullets.
TIA

federali · October 22, 2012, 06:15 PM

I've used five grains of Bullseye behind both plated, jacketed and lead 230 grain bullets with great results. The load is accurate and I'm quite certain it doesn't constitute a +P load. 5.3 grains of Bullseye yields 756 FPS from my 4.5 inch S&W M&P.

solitude127 · October 22, 2012, 06:53 PM

Thank you for your response

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III

TMD · October 22, 2012, 06:56 PM

I use 5 grains of either W231 or Bullseye for all my 230gr loads.

Semper Paratus · October 22, 2012, 08:44 PM

5.5gr of Universal Seems to recreate Factory feel with respect to recoil and muzzle flash.

rmorgan9718 · October 23, 2012, 01:44 PM

I think if you use Bullseye, that 5.0 gr is the norm. I use the same load from 185 gr to 230 gr Berry's Plated RN's, with good results and excellant accuracy.

I do push the 230 gr's up to 5.5 gr in my XD45, but only for carry loads.

WCW · October 23, 2012, 02:39 PM

I found 5.0 gr 231 to be accurate in my Ruger with either Berry's or Rainier 230 grainers.

solitude127 · October 24, 2012, 01:15 PM

Seems Bullseye and W231 are popular powders for .45. Anybody use any other powders?

4runnerman · October 24, 2012, 01:32 PM

5.1 gn titegroup

nmbrinkman · October 24, 2012, 03:19 PM

+1 on titegroup. Admittedly I haven't tried anything else.

**Unclenick** · October 24, 2012, 03:32 PM

5 grains of Bullseye has to be the oldest hardball match load around. I saw that load was given for some mid 1920's Frankford Arsenal 230 grain match ammo. Still works. About 825-840 fps from a 5" test barrel.

That said, Hodgdon Universal will meter better and burn cleaner. About 5.2 grains to match the older load's velocity and pressure pretty closely. 231 will meter even more easily, but is not cleaner, and matches Bullseye's pressure at about 5.1 grains.

If you're just looking for target practice, it is really not necessary to use a full charge of powder. Usually 4.2 grains of Bullseye, 4.3 of 231, and 4.4 of Universal will work just fine unless you have a short barrel gun with stiff springs that really need a full load. The lower velocity makes you work a little harder at follow-through, so it's good for practicing the surprise break with your trigger. Tells you right away when you've messed that up.

BigJimP · October 24, 2012, 03:32 PM

Hodgdon Universal works well also ....mid range of jacketed bullets is what Berry's recommends / and nothing over 1200 fps...which isn't a problem on a .45 acp with a 230gr bullet.

Check the Hodgdon site ...for min and max...

iraiam · October 24, 2012, 06:35 PM

230 grain bullets I use 5 to 5.5 grais of Bullseye, depending on bullet type and how much bang I want.

I have also been using Power Pistol, mainly because it was very cheap, and accuracy is retained. I kind of like it, flash and bang are side effects.

I would also like to add that all of my recipies were worked up from published load data using standard good reloading practices.

arch308 · October 24, 2012, 07:05 PM

I must be the oddball. I use all the above loads but tend to favor 5.5gns Unique. It fills the case a little better IMO and works well for me.

solitude127 · October 24, 2012, 07:23 PM

Any one ever try HS6?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III

Jammer Six · October 24, 2012, 11:23 PM

Titegroup is not recommended for plated bullets.

Loads do not transfer directly to plated bullets.

I'm surprised at some of you.

I stopped using plated bullets when accuracy became more important than they could deliver.

chris in va · October 24, 2012, 11:52 PM

Interesting. Plated is supposed to be loaded like lead, and my Lyman manual lists a Titegroup and lead 225gr.

Powderman · October 25, 2012, 12:08 AM

To the OP:

Any load listed for a 230 grain lead bullet should work fine.

Remember to use a taper crimp--not a roll crimp--and load conservatively.

Jammer Six · October 25, 2012, 06:05 AM

My mistake. I checked my notes. Titegroup is not recommended for those moly coated bullets by Precision Bullets.

I have several loads of Titegroup and plated.

My problem with them was tumbling. I switched to Hornday jacketed, and the problem went away.

BigJimP · October 25, 2012, 06:48 PM

Berry's specifically says.....use low to mid level data for jacketed bullets...
------------------
from Berry's web site...in FAQ's...

FAQ: How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets?

Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads.

Berry's recommendations on velocity ...
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1250 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities over 1250fps unless the bullet description denotes a thick plated bullet with a higher listed maximum for velocity.

justsoIcanupvotethis · October 25, 2012, 09:43 PM

I dont know about the 230's from Berry but the 200 grain Hollow Points and 5 grains of Titegroup is my favorite load so far. I plan to do a litte testing though with 231 and Unique just to see if I am missing anything.

solitude127 · November 30, 2012, 12:22 PM

I settled on 7.1 gn of HS6. They're fun gentle plinkers. Thanks for everyones help.

DASHZNT · November 30, 2012, 12:27 PM

I use 230gr RN from X-Treme Bullets. I load them up with 5.0gr of Bullseye powder and am very happy with the load. They are very accurate and they are pretty darn fast as well. I believe these are great for plinking and something more if necessary. That being said, im always open to improving on my loading so I will sit back and listen a little bit.

DASHZNT

tkglazie · November 30, 2012, 01:46 PM

In general I use N320 for my plated bullets and HP38/W231 for lead in all my autos (.380, 9mm, .45). Accuracy is about the same. N320 is cleaner. I figure after I shoot lead I am going to clean the gun completely anyway, so I dont mind the dirtier, cheaper powder. When I stick to just plated over N320 I can go much further between thorough cleanings. A few passes with a boresnake and quick wipedown at the range is all my autos get during the week if I have been shooting plated.

HALIFAX · November 30, 2012, 02:41 PM

I use 200gr hollow points from Berrys. But my recipe is 5.7gr of HP-38 behind a 200gr hollow point. Its close to max though.

October 22, 2012, 01:13 PM	#1
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	Berry's bullets and 230gn 45 ACP Hello all, I'm wanting to start loading Berry's bullets in 230gn for 45 ACP. I was wondering what type of "recipes" you're using. I've looked in many manuals but can't find any definitive recipes. I've even looked on Berry's Bullets website and the just say to start at the low range of lead bullets. TIA

October 22, 2012, 06:15 PM	#2
federali Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2011 Location: Nassau County NY Posts: 378	five grains Bullseye I've used five grains of Bullseye behind both plated, jacketed and lead 230 grain bullets with great results. The load is accurate and I'm quite certain it doesn't constitute a +P load. 5.3 grains of Bullseye yields 756 FPS from my 4.5 inch S&W M&P. __________________ Int'l Assoc. of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors

October 22, 2012, 08:44 PM	#5
Semper Paratus Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Tidewater, VA Posts: 155	5.5gr of Universal Seems to recreate Factory feel with respect to recoil and muzzle flash. __________________ Semper Paratus--Always Prepared

October 23, 2012, 01:44 PM	#6
rmorgan9718 Junior Member Join Date: March 20, 2012 Posts: 14	45 acp I think if you use Bullseye, that 5.0 gr is the norm. I use the same load from 185 gr to 230 gr Berry's Plated RN's, with good results and excellant accuracy. I do push the 230 gr's up to 5.5 gr in my XD45, but only for carry loads.

October 24, 2012, 01:32 PM	#9
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	5.1 gn titegroup __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

October 22, 2012, 06:53 PM	#3
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	Thank you for your response Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III

October 22, 2012, 06:56 PM	#4
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	I use 5 grains of either W231 or Bullseye for all my 230gr loads.

October 23, 2012, 02:39 PM	#7
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 132	I found 5.0 gr 231 to be accurate in my Ruger with either Berry's or Rainier 230 grainers.

October 24, 2012, 01:15 PM	#8
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	Seems Bullseye and W231 are popular powders for .45. Anybody use any other powders?

October 24, 2012, 03:19 PM	#10
nmbrinkman Member Join Date: May 30, 2012 Posts: 40	+1 on titegroup. Admittedly I haven't tried anything else.

October 24, 2012, 03:32 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	5 grains of Bullseye has to be the oldest hardball match load around. I saw that load was given for some mid 1920's Frankford Arsenal 230 grain match ammo. Still works. About 825-840 fps from a 5" test barrel. That said, Hodgdon Universal will meter better and burn cleaner. About 5.2 grains to match the older load's velocity and pressure pretty closely. 231 will meter even more easily, but is not cleaner, and matches Bullseye's pressure at about 5.1 grains. If you're just looking for target practice, it is really not necessary to use a full charge of powder. Usually 4.2 grains of Bullseye, 4.3 of 231, and 4.4 of Universal will work just fine unless you have a short barrel gun with stiff springs that really need a full load. The lower velocity makes you work a little harder at follow-through, so it's good for practicing the surprise break with your trigger. Tells you right away when you've messed that up. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 24, 2012, 03:32 PM	#12
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Hodgdon Universal works well also ....mid range of jacketed bullets is what Berry's recommends / and nothing over 1200 fps...which isn't a problem on a .45 acp with a 230gr bullet. Check the Hodgdon site ...for min and max...

October 24, 2012, 06:35 PM	#13
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	230 grain bullets I use 5 to 5.5 grais of Bullseye, depending on bullet type and how much bang I want. I have also been using Power Pistol, mainly because it was very cheap, and accuracy is retained. I kind of like it, flash and bang are side effects. I would also like to add that all of my recipies were worked up from published load data using standard good reloading practices. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason Last edited by iraiam; October 25, 2012 at 12:23 AM.

October 24, 2012, 07:05 PM	#14
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	I must be the oddball. I use all the above loads but tend to favor 5.5gns Unique. It fills the case a little better IMO and works well for me.

October 24, 2012, 07:23 PM	#15
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	Any one ever try HS6? Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III

October 24, 2012, 11:23 PM	#16
Jammer Six Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 827	Titegroup is not recommended for plated bullets. Loads do not transfer directly to plated bullets. I'm surprised at some of you. I stopped using plated bullets when accuracy became more important than they could deliver. __________________ "Huh?" --Jammer Six, 1998

October 24, 2012, 11:52 PM	#17
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Interesting. Plated is supposed to be loaded like lead, and my Lyman manual lists a Titegroup and lead 225gr.

October 25, 2012, 12:08 AM	#18
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,166	To the OP: Any load listed for a 230 grain lead bullet should work fine. Remember to use a taper crimp--not a roll crimp--and load conservatively. __________________ Hiding in plain sight...

October 25, 2012, 06:05 AM	#19
Jammer Six Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 827	My mistake. I checked my notes. Titegroup is not recommended for those moly coated bullets by Precision Bullets. I have several loads of Titegroup and plated. My problem with them was tumbling. I switched to Hornday jacketed, and the problem went away. __________________ "Huh?" --Jammer Six, 1998

October 25, 2012, 06:48 PM	#20
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Berry's specifically says.....use low to mid level data for jacketed bullets... ------------------ from Berry's web site...in FAQ's... FAQ: How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets? Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. Berry's recommendations on velocity ... Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1250 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities over 1250fps unless the bullet description denotes a thick plated bullet with a higher listed maximum for velocity.

October 25, 2012, 09:43 PM	#21
justsoIcanupvotethis Member Join Date: June 11, 2012 Posts: 29	I dont know about the 230's from Berry but the 200 grain Hollow Points and 5 grains of Titegroup is my favorite load so far. I plan to do a litte testing though with 231 and Unique just to see if I am missing anything.

November 30, 2012, 12:22 PM	#22
solitude127 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 74	I settled on 7.1 gn of HS6. They're fun gentle plinkers. Thanks for everyones help. Last edited by solitude127; November 30, 2012 at 12:29 PM.

November 30, 2012, 12:27 PM	#23
DASHZNT Junior member Join Date: July 13, 2012 Posts: 179	I use 230gr RN from X-Treme Bullets. I load them up with 5.0gr of Bullseye powder and am very happy with the load. They are very accurate and they are pretty darn fast as well. I believe these are great for plinking and something more if necessary. That being said, im always open to improving on my loading so I will sit back and listen a little bit. DASHZNT

November 30, 2012, 01:46 PM	#24
tkglazie Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Posts: 558	In general I use N320 for my plated bullets and HP38/W231 for lead in all my autos (.380, 9mm, .45). Accuracy is about the same. N320 is cleaner. I figure after I shoot lead I am going to clean the gun completely anyway, so I dont mind the dirtier, cheaper powder. When I stick to just plated over N320 I can go much further between thorough cleanings. A few passes with a boresnake and quick wipedown at the range is all my autos get during the week if I have been shooting plated.

November 30, 2012, 02:41 PM	#25
HALIFAX Member Join Date: May 11, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 63	I use 200gr hollow points from Berrys. But my recipe is 5.7gr of HP-38 behind a 200gr hollow point. Its close to max though.