Maybe I'm missing something but what difference would it make if the crimp cut through the plating?

Crimping through the plating can cause the plating to separate from the lead!!!

Should that happen I see the possibility of the plating being left behind in the barrel.

Yup....

wiersy111 wrote:

This may sound stupid but how do you know when you have enough crimp without going to far?

The holes in the paper will have little 'legs' if you crimp too much. (the plating is soft, etc)

Start with a moderate crimp, test and tune etc.

stovepipe wrote:

The holes in the paper will have little 'legs' if you crimp too much.

That explains some of my groups !!! Them their bullet holes are a walking on me !!!

OK, I did a little research on this "crimping on plated bullets" thing ...

First I went to Rainier's website. Good info there, including the fact that you can crimp thier bullets with either a taper or roll crimp. They warn against over-crimping, as does every other reloading source. Also, their bullets are electroplated so that there is a molecular bond between the "jacket" and the core which does not allow them to separate like a "cup and core" bullet might.

Then I took a Rainier bullet and cut a cannelure in it with a C-H tool. I went all the way down into the lead, deforming the bullet in the process. I used a knife to try to peal the plating off and I couldn't do it.

Based on this I wouldn't worry about the crimp cutting the plating loose. I don't have any revolver bullets to further test this with though. I guess I could always place another order with Midway!

Here’s what Berry’s have to say on the issue:

www.berrysmfg.com/faq.aspx?q=13&c=1

www.berrysmfg.com/faq.aspx?q=14&c=1

The plateing is tougher than you think. Its molecularly bonded to the lead.

Yep- it's bonded, all metal plating is. But some of that copper is pretty soft. A lot softer than gliding metal on most jacketed stuff from what I gather.

They do make really nice looking plinking/combat rounds and some indoor ranges prefer them for less lead exposure.

The Berrys seem to OK in the BFR nothing spectacular but they are good for plinking if you can call it that.

At the extreme risk of getting back on topic; I talked to the Berry folks a bit ago, and their recommendations are to use the same loads as for cast bullets, and 1200-1400fps is pushing it a tad beyond the design envelope.

The plating is soft, and over lead, after all. But, if it works for you...

They recommended ~1000-1100fps., and say don't roll crimp too heavy, lest you cut the plating. That's just fine for my .357 Maggie. I taper crimp all my loads with Berrys anyhow.

I was only able to get some 125gr. HP bullets, and haven't tested them for expansion yet. I'm looking forward to trying their 158gr Hp bullelts.

Due to demand, the delivery time from their factory is 4-6 weeks.

I think Berry's bullets are the berries!

Any updates on the Berry's Bullets ? . I just ordered 250 for the .45. Im lookin forward to see how they do.
Joe

Just had (1000) 230gr RN .45's delivered for my ACP. $133.00 incl frt.

Nice SHINY orange bullets, and lots of them! (here that Wiersy, SHINY)

Why don't you send me a couple hundred to test for you.