Extreme vs. Berry's vs. Rainer

I can rank them in different ways. First off, Ranier is a decent bullet but I place it solidly behind both Berry's and Xtreme. I have always found Ranier's plating to be thinner. It's a fine plated slug but well behind the other two.

Berry's was my absolute GO-TO choice for many years until Xtreme came along. I find that they produce a fantastic product and their customer service has always been top-notch.

I switched to Xtreme a couple of years ago. This is simply because Xtreme seems to offer a bullet that is every bit as good or better, and they tend to be cheaper as I shop. Xtreme bullets are (by far, not even close) the absolute shiniest, awe-inspiring glittering bright bullets in the history of the Earth.

Xtreme's customer service isn't bad, but it trails Berry's. They do some annoying things with their sales and "hints" at sales on their FB page and website that has grown tiring to me, but I still love their slugs.

For me, it's mostly Xtreme but I will always love and recommend Berry's also. I have no need to shop for any other plated bullet, including Ranier.
 
I've always had great luck with Rainier, shot a lot of .45 200 grain SWC's and .357 158 FP's. Even shot some of their .356" 130 RN 38 Super bullets in my .357 revolver during the '08 shortage. All very accurate.
Berry's have been good too.

Looking at the Extreme .451" 185 FP, anyone try them?
 
I can only comment on Berry's, because I tried them first and have found them to be so good I cant get myself to switch. I load a lot of them per month, both in .44 and .357 and find their performance, accuracy, and durability to be top notch. The plating is so tough, that all the rumors I've heard originally I completely discount. I've recovered shot bullets that were undamaged, and I even firmly crimped one and then pulled it from the case as a test and found no damage to the bullet. I REALLY like them.
 
I've been using X-treme lately. The plating does seem thicker than Berry, and I also had a batch of Berry .380s that had a few out of round. Ordering from X-treme when they have free shipping (which seems to happen for at least a few days every month) is a good way to save even more money on an excellent product that is already competitively priced.
 
I tested all 3 a few years ago.../ and if you take a handful of each out of a box and weigh them...Berry's is by far the most consistent...and it has a thicker plating.

I would put Rainier in a distant 2nd ...and Xtreme further down...( in the batches I checked, neither one were very consistent...in .45 acp 230gr and 9mm 115 gr ).
 
The only one of the three I have used is Berry's. I have no problem with their product, but when I can get Precision delta FMJ bullets for about the same price as plated - well its a no brainer.

Precision Delta bullets are superior and comes with free shipping. Their delivery time is prompt. The only person I know who dislikes them is my post person and my wife if she happens to collect the mail the day of delivery.
 
I have used all three and like Xtreme the best with the other two tied for second.

Back when Xtreme was called Western NV/West Coast Bullet, they made both excellent lead and plated bullets. Then the lead side broke away for a few years and then was merged back again. And just down the street was the shot tower that was once Federal, Hornady and West Coast. That little area was a reloader's dream come true.
 
First off, Ranier is a decent bullet but I place it solidly behind both Berry's and X-treme.
Click to expand...

EXCEPT . . . Rainier's 148 DEWC (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...meter-148-grain-plated-double-ended-wadcutter) is THE best plated DEWC. Cut's a really nice sharp hole in paper/cardboard.

But otherwise, I agree.

I like Berry's only because my LGS carries them. So if I need some right away, I'll grab 'em. They seem fine; but the price isn't as good (at least, from my LGS). For large, long-term inventory, I order X-treme on line.

X-treme's 180 PFP for 40/10mm is a great bullet. They seem to withstand the punishment of 90% power 10mm rounds (1046 f/s 3.7" bbl; 1063 f/s 4.6" bbl). For wide open throttle, I move to jacketed.

I use a lot of X-treme's 158 SWC's. They don't cut a real sharp hole compared to lead SWC's though. They work well in 38 Special; and shoot nice in competition. I also use them for de-tuned 357 Mag applications.

I'm having some struggle with their 200 PFP for 45 ACP. Feeding issues. Pending further investigation.

Their 200 RNFP's for 44 Special is a mainstay in my inventory. Loaded 100 of them last night. Great bullet.
 
What is the max velocity that Extreme recommends for their plated bullets?

I currently have a pretty good inventory of midrange .357 mag ammo, and a good inventory of 125 grain JHPs, but would like to find an economical 158 grain plated bullet that I can push up to 1350-1400 fps.

Can the Extreme plated bullets hold up to that?
 
From their website:

"Our Copper Plated Bullets can be run at mid-range jacketed velocities or higher end lead velocities. We recommend keeping velocities to less than 1500 FPS (Feet Per Second) and using only a light taper crimp

Any velocities over 1200 FPS we recommend either our Heavy Plate Concave Base or Hollow Point products for superior accuracy. We recommend keeping velocities to less than 1500 FPS (Feet Per Second) and using only a light taper crimp"

I use the 158 gr hp with thick plating in my 357 mag target loads with a fairly stout load of 2400 with no issues.
 
I'm at least a bit curious of the load you'll use to get yourself a true 1,400 FPS in .357 Magnum with a 158gr bullet. In a handgun, anyway.

That's pretty spicy and most any powder that is capable is likely to want a solid roll crimp.
 
I have used all through the years, and I liked Xtreme the best, and you can push them up to 1500 fps. ( and a tad more perhaps) I think they are the best value in the plated arena.
 
I have used thousands of both Berry's and XTreme bullets--their cast lead and plated. I have been satisfied with both companies and their products. I have not tried Rainer bullets.

Gene Pool
 
I have used Berry's, Ranier, Extreme, Everglades and thebulletworks, in 9MM, I can't tell the difference. I did get a bunch of Berry's one time that had a bunch of deformed noses, prolly 150 of 500. It looked like they were using them to adjust their machine to make HP out of the rn bullet. Of late I've been buying from Everglades but I have 1000 from Extreme and they look good but I've only shot a few of them.
 
I have been shooting mostly plated for years. WestCoast before they became Xtreme...still have a few boxes of WestCoast...and a lot of Xtreme since. Based on my tests for accuracy, consistency, stripping plating, etc., I think you put them in the right order...Xtreme, then Berrys then Ranier.

I have pushed the Xtreme past 1500 without problems. The Ranier is more sensitive and have more plating failures, especially past about 1100 fps. The Berry's is about in the middle, with their Double Strucks being a little close to the Xtremes.
 
I think xtreme makes the better bullet but I know of horror stories with some of their fulfillment and customer service on larger orders. For that reason I take my business to Berrys.
 
I've tried them all, with Berry's the least volume. For my shooting, they are all good for the range. With Cost and quality... In order it's Xtreme, Berry's, then Rainier. IMO Berry's is probably better quality, but more expensive for me to get. I can get Xtreme for a cheaper cost locally. Shipping is not an issue for me. Though I've never had a problem with getting them direct during one of their sales either.

Once again, for range fodder, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
 
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