44 Special Bullet Question

[Rainman]

I bought some Berry's 240gr plated bullets today to try. I have read good things about these bullets but personally never used them.

Anybody tried them using the Skeeter load of 7.5 gr of Unique?

Any other recommedations using this bullet in a 44 Spl? Will any load for a 240gr lead bullet work?

Dan

 

[contender]

I use a lot of Berry's plated bullets in USPSA competition. If loaded as if you are loading lead bullets,, you should be happy,, if your gun likes them.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Any lead bullet data will work fine with the Berry's. You should have good results if you remember two things. 1) Don't push them to Magnum velocities. (over 1,200fps) and 2) a mild crimp that doesn't cut the plating. Chamfer the inside of the case so it is not sharp. Apply enough pressure to just squeeze the case into the bullet a little. I use the Lee factory crimp die without any problems. The case mouths get worked very little and last a long time.

They work very good at all velocities below Magnum and are extremely clean with no leading to worry about. The copper plating and soft lead core are easier on the rifling than jacketed bullets.

...Jimbo

 

[AKGrouch]

I use the Lee factory crimp die without any problems. The case mouths get worked very little and last a long time.
...Jimbo

Jimbo, Not trying to hijack the thread but have a quick question. About to buy a new set of .44 Special Carbide dies (prob RCBS) to get away from case lube. Is it worth it to also get that Lee crimp die?

 

[mike7mm08]

The lee factory crimp die is great. The nicest thing is it will resize the case after crimping. So if the crimp you choose to use puts a slight bulge in the case the Lee factory crimp die will iron it right out. Also I like crimping separate from seating. I find it easier to only have to adjust a die to do one thing. The lee crimp die is very easy to adjust and you don't have to have your cases all perfectly the same length to get the same amount of crimp on each round.

 

[sourdough44]

I agree with the good things said about the Lee FCD.

To the OP, I think your Unique load is fine. I load some plated 250 grn bullets for my 45 Colt with 9.7 grains unique(lighter ruger only loads). My common light 44 mag/spcl load is the 200 grn plated 44 bullet and a mid charge of H Universal.

 

[Rainman]

Thanks guys. That's what I figured.

Even though I use RCBS stuff almost exclusively, I do use a Lee Factory Crimp Die on everything I load. I like the idea of crimping and seating in two separate stages plus you never buckle a case . I end up with a correctly sized round every time.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Any other recommedations using this bullet in a 44 Spl? Will any load for a 240gr lead bullet work?

I like the clean burning HP-38 for the 44 special. 5.2gr will give you SAAMI spec pressure and 858 fps with that bullet, or 5.6gr of Universal will give the same aprox.

...Jimbo

 

[VonFatman]

Further evidence of thread drift...

Mr. AKGrouch,
Just a question, why are you lubing straight wall cases? I have never lubed any but I used Carbide dies...if you do not use carbide dies is it important to lube straight wall cases?

Thanks.

Bob

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I use the Lee factory crimp die without any problems. The case mouths get worked very little and last a long time.
...Jimbo

Jimbo, Not trying to hijack the thread but have a quick question. About to buy a new set of .44 Special Carbide dies (prob RCBS) to get away from case lube. Is it worth it to also get that Lee crimp die?

You can get a Lee 4 die set (carbide) or add a Lee FCD at a very reasonable price. I definitely like the separate crimp die.

I use a slight amount of lube even with my carbide dies. It makes the work go much easier and I don't feel that metal on metal scraping that you get without lube. Also the lube gets into the cleaning media and leaves a very slight coating on the brass that keeps it from tarnishing. I do have to change part of the media frequently to keep it fresh and working good. All and all I think the lube is a good thing.

I use the Hornady water soluble lube, a few drops in a batch of 50-100 shells, after washing them with soap and water in a tub to remove any dirt they might have picked-up at the range. You could put some of the Hornady lube in a spray bottle of water and spray them. I let the shells dry before sizing.

...Jimbo

 

[buckeyeshooter]

The bullets shot well for me, but I did have some issues with the bullet sliding forward in the case-- no crimp groove -- in 44 mag loads.

 

[AKGrouch]

Further evidence of thread drift...

Mr. AKGrouch,
Just a question, why are you lubing straight wall cases? I have never lubed any but I used Carbide dies...if you do not use carbide dies is it important to lube straight wall cases?

Thanks.

Bob

Bob,

I got a stuck case in a die once in a .45-70 sizing die. Mind you, it wasn't a carbide die as I don't think they were even available back then. Anyway, that case lodged in there and stuck as if it had been welded to the die. It was a bit of an ordeal to get the brass out with out damaging the die but I did. It was total error on my part but the only time I didn't use any lube until I purchased some carbide dies. I still think about that event when I use a sizing die, even with straight walled cases.

pat

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The bullets shot well for me, but I did have some issues with the bullet sliding forward in the case-- no crimp groove -- in 44 mag loads.

The bullet and plating is soft enough so that you can crimp the bullet where ever you want to. When crimped properly (with Lee FCD) the bullets don't move. I ues them in tube magazines and fairly hard kicking revolvers without any problems.

...Jimbo

 

[VonFatman]

Pat,
Thanks for the feedback, I now understand better. Hope all is great in Alaska...I hope to see your country some day.

Bob

 

[buckeyeshooter]

The bullets shot well for me, but I did have some issues with the bullet sliding forward in the case-- no crimp groove -- in 44 mag loads.

The bullet and plating is soft enough so that you can crimp the bullet where ever you want to. When crimped properly (with Lee FCD) the bullets don't move. I ues them in tube magazines and fairly hard kicking revolvers without any problems.

...Jimbo

Well, the big part of the problem with that is I am using RCBS Dies and don't have a Lee FCD. Its just easier for me to buy something with a groove than to go and extra step :wink:

 

[WESHOOT2]

I ONLY use Redding Profile Crimp dies for finishing plated bullets in revolver cartridges; 'light-medium'.