Frequently Asked Questions

Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:

• The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
• Berry's max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)
• Standard Plate Bullets Max Velocity: 1,250 fps.
• Thick-Plate Bullets (TP) Max Velocity: 1,500 fps.
• Do not over-crimp the bullet. Crimping so tight that bullet deformation occurs, or plating is separated causing visible exposure of the lead core will cause tumbling, key-holing, and reduced accuracy.

Load data containing bullet descriptions such as Plated (P,) Berry's Bullet (BERB,) Total Metal Jacket (TMJ,) Copper Plated (CP,) or CPJ (Copper Plated Jacket,) refers to plated bullet data.

Cartridge Overall Lengths (COL) are found in the load data being used. DO NOT EXCEED SAAMI MAX COL SPECS.

For SAAMI MAX COL specs please click HERE.

Here are websites with load data information:

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

Buyers and users assume all risk, responsibility and liability whatsoever for any and all injuries (including death), losses or damages to persons or property (including consequential damages), arising from the use of any product or data, whether or not occasioned by seller’s negligence or based on strict liability or principles of indemnity or contribution. It is the buyer's responsibility to educate themselves in safety standards associated with handloading ammunition.

Order over $100 ship free!

Orders less than $100 will have a $17.25 shipping and handling charge added at the cart.  This applies to all the products listed on the website and in the catalog.  Any order over $100 ships free.

We ship our bullets using the USPS Flat Rate boxes, most other products will ship FedEx or UPS.  If by chance, your order is shipped between 2 companies please be aware that your product will most likely arrive on separate days.

Bullets will ship for free to Alaska and Hawaii. If ammo boxes or accessories are ordered there will be an additional fee to ship to Alaska and Hawaii.

Berry's Preferred Plated bullets begin as a swaged lead core. The plating process works through electrolysis. The swaged lead cores are tumbled in an electrically charged bath containing high-grade copper ingots. The copper clings to the lead and the longer the bullets remain in the bath, the thicker the plating. Our bullets are plated to the correct size and then taken out of the bath.

Jacketed bullets start with a copper cup, which is "drawn up" into the form of a jacket. Lead is then swaged into the jacket.

Cast bullets are made up of lead that has been poured into a bullet mould. These bullets come in various hardness levels depending upon the alloy of the lead. All of our cast bullets are lubed and all have the same hardness (about 20 bhu). We distinguish between Hardcast and Cowboy only in that our Cowboy bullets are often used in Cowboy Action Shooting events.

Comparison:
Jacketed Bullets: Generally are most expensive but can be shot at magnum velocities and require less cleaning than Cast bullets.
Plated Bullets: Not as expensive as Jacketed and cleaner than lead but you'll want to stay away from magnum velocities when loading plated bullets.
Cast Bullets: Usually cost the least, but are very "dirty" and often cannot be used in indoor ranges

Berry's Mfg sizes our .32 cal, 38 Super, 9mm, 40/10mm and .45 ACP a thousandth larger than the standard FMJ round diameter. It is completely safe to load, as our bullet is constructed out of a soft lead and then plated with copper, which does not cause the pressure spikes that an oversized FMJ round would. The plated bullet pressure curve resembles that of the hard cast or lead bullets.

You can use both the Taper and Roll Crimp on Berry's Bullets.

We recommend a light crimp on the bullet, just enough to put pressure against the bullet without denting or deforming the plating.  If you were to pull the bullet out of a case with the proper crimp you would find no more than a scratch on the surface of the plating.  If you are denting or deforming the bullet, your accuracy will suffer and the bullet may start to tumble before it hits the target.

We guarantee our Standard Bullets to handle velocities up to 1,250 fps, and up to 1,500 fps for the bullets designated as TP (thick plated).

To check the maximum velocity of a specific bullet, check out their bullet page on our website.

Our .300 Blackout bullets have different fps in relationship to their grain weight.

Our .44 Caliber bullets can handle velocities up to 1,850 fps.

Our 45-70 bullets can handle velocities up to 1,950 fps.

Our .500 Caliber, 458 SOCOM, 7.62x39, 30 Carbine, 30-30 bullets can handle velocities up to 2,000 fps.

All Berry's Superior Plated Bullets go through a secondary sizing process known as "double struck". After the bullet has been plated we strike it again to ensure all dimensions are correct.

Yes. We have a large contingent of loyal Glock shooters using our bullets. The plating is thick enough that you will not get lead fouling in your bore, which is the nemesis of polygonal barrels.

Depending upon the caliber, the thickness of the plating on our bullets ranges from 3.5 up to 8 thousandths of an inch of plating on each side. This is thicker than paper and ensures no lead in your bore. The bullets designed for higher velocities (45-70, 500 S&W etc.) have the thickest plating

Separation is very rare. Two things can cause a jacket to separate from the lead core: excessive speeds (magnum velocities) and a real tight roll crimp (cuts through the plating). If you'll keep these two items in check you shouldn't have a problem with bullet separation.

Plated bullets are very difficult to cannelure. It requires an extra step after the plating and if not done carefully can ruin the plating. We only put a cannelure in two bullets (45-70 and 500 S&W). You shouldn't need a cannelure on our other bullets. If you feel the need, you can use a snug roll crimp to keep bullets in place. Just ensure you don't get the roll too tight such that it severs the plating and destroys the bullet.

Berry's Mfg does have multiple Dealer and Distributor programs available for those that qualify. Please call one of our sales representatives at (800) 269-7373 for more information.

Please click HERE for our 2022 Digital Berry's MFG Catalog!

Berry's Mfg does offer multiple OEM programs for qualifying FFL holders.

We do not sell to retail consumers outside the US. International customers can contact us for the nearest dealer.

The BHN of our bullets is 15.