Berry's Bullet Question

A

Aguila Blanca

Staff
I've been loading for .45 ACP for many years with Berry's 230-grain, plated round nose bullets. I recently decided that I'm tired of giving up an advantage in the competitions at my local range to the guys who load and shoot special, super-light ammo for competition, so I decided I was going to try some of Berry's 185-grain, hollow-base plated round nose bullets. I assumed they were the same shape/profile as the 230-grain except for the chunk of lead taken out of the base.

Well, they're here ... and they are NOT the same overall profile as the 230-grain. The overall length of the bullet is less, by about .040". So that means I probably can't load to the same COAL or I won't have much bullet inside the case. Berry's, of course, is basically useless as far as providing loading data so I'm trying to figure out what to use as a starting point for COAL. Berry's says to use 1.250", but that's the same length they suggest for their 230-grain bullet that's significantly longer. I load that to 1.270".

Has anyone here used those bullets? If so, could you post what your dimensions are and how the bullets work out for you?
 
I tried something similar before settling on the 200 grain semi wadcutter.
It sounds like you will have to experiment with overall cartridge length to find what feeds, and then develop the load that gives you the velocity you want.
What kind of competition are you doing?
 
Non-sanctioned "practical" shooting. I belong to a small, indoor range. It has twelve lanes, with a foot-thick concrete wall dividing it into two sets of six lanes each. A couple of nights per month they shut down one side and set up a small "tactical" course out on the range floor and run an informal, mini-IDPA type competition. Some nights it includes a plate rack with five plates. Other times, they have a small Texas star. Plus the usual poppers, silhouette stands, etc.
 
"...load to the same COAL..." Have you tried it?
Only ever load cast 230 RN's and FP's to 1.275" myself. Don't care who wins myself though. My Colt always feeds and goes bang.
Only issue with 185's is you'll likely have to change the return spring. I'd try the 1.250" too.
 
Not Berry's but Ranier Ballistics. I've only loaded 185gr plated FN bullets. I use 1.250" and 1.265" with good success & performance. I like the FN bullets and only load FN and hollow point.
 
I've used the same bullet at 1.24/1.25 with good results. 1.27 is about as long as you could ever go with 45 ACP unless shooting from a revolver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top