Bullet order question

[Bert Gamble]

The prices on bullets have gone up 26% in recent weeks, and I have no expectation that they will go down any time soon. I haven't loaded a single cartridge yet and I still think I need more bullets.

I have 5k rounds of Berry's .45 ACP 230 gr RN that I ordered for 12.05 cents each including shipping. Now the same bullets are 15.2 cents each.

The question is, since I haven't loaded one of the Berry's, can I be certain they will fire in my guns? Both are brand new. One is a 4" XD45 and the other is a Kimber Custom TLE II. I haven't seen too many complaints about the Berry's in my research.

I feel like I should get more before the price goes up again, but I don't want to be stuck with 10k bullets that I can't use.

Also, I am thinking of buying some powder in bulk. At least 8 lbs and more likely 16 lbs. Can I just go ahead and get HP38, or Titegroup? Is it necessary to try them all, or can I use one of these since that is what most people recommend.

Thanks
Bert

[savasyn]

I used Berry's successfully in .45 for a while until I came upon http://rozedist.com/
Zero bullets are slightly cheaper(just under 12 cents per) and they are real FMJs. The only downside is that they are often out of stock, so you have to check back until they are in and buy a bunch. Free shipping on anything over 1000, which is easy as they pretty much only sell in units of 1000.

But yeah, if you don't mind /not/ loading to max loads(plated bullets should use lead bullet data and not jacketed) you are good to go. Even though I've switched to FMJs, I still load 230gr with 5.1gr of HP38 and LOVE it. Probably my most successful round. Very accurate and consistent.

As far as what your pistols will like, who knows. You'll have to try a few things and see what happens. Luckily, you can buy powder by the pound so you can test for less. Of course, 1 pound of HP38 will make roughly 1410 .45s loaded at 5.1gr, so you'd have plenty to play with. If you really want to buy bulk, I'd say start with a 8 pounder, it'll last you a long while if you like it and you won't have to try to sell so much if you don't.

I've not used Titegroup myself, but HP38 is one of my two go-to powders. I use that and Hodgdon Universal Clays, both of which are good all-around powders. They are very similar, but sometimes one works better for something than the other, so I keep both. They are both "good" at many things, but not really "the best" at any of them(best in this case, meaning highest velocities at lower pressures). That kinda makes them ideal for regular loads in a lot of calibers. If you want to run really hot loads, you'll have to buy powders with slower burn rates.

[Bigdaa]

The prices on bullets have gone up 26% in recent weeks, and I have no expectation that they will go down any time soon. I haven't loaded a single cartridge yet and I still think I need more bullets.

I have 5k rounds of Berry's .45 ACP 230 gr RN that I ordered for 12.05 cents each including shipping. Now the same bullets are 15.2 cents each.

The question is, since I haven't loaded one of the Berry's, can I be certain they will fire in my guns? Both are brand new. One is a 4" XD45 and the other is a Kimber Custom TLE II. I haven't seen too many complaints about the Berry's in my research.

I feel like I should get more before the price goes up again, but I don't want to be stuck with 10k bullets that I can't use.

Also, I am thinking of buying some powder in bulk. At least 8 lbs and more likely 16 lbs. Can I just go ahead and get HP38, or Titegroup? Is it necessary to try them all, or can I use one of these since that is what most people recommend.

Thanks
Bert

The answer is no. You can't be sure until you put your particular formula to work through each handgun.

That said, looking for reviews from folks online as you may have done is an excellent way to test the water.

You need to put a couple hundred loads together. No more, as a test. Your guns you say are new, so they'll need some break in. Do so. Then slip your pet loads in and run them.

You do need to get to the press, stat! Good shootin'

[bumpo628]

Don't rush another bullet purchase when there are better deals out there.
For example, $119/1000 (free shipping on orders >2K) for 230 grn FMJs

http://www.precisiondelta.com/detail.php?sku=B-45-230-FMJ

HP38/W231 is a good all-around powder. You won't regret buying it in bulk.

At least put a couple of dummy rounds together to see if they feed and chamber.

[Bert Gamble]

[QUOTE=bumpo628;6036484]Don't rush another bullet purchase when there are better deals out there.
For example, $119/1000 (free shipping on orders >2K) for 230 grn FMJs

http://www.precisiondelta.com/detail.php?sku=B-45-230-FMJ

Thanks Bumpo628 for the link. That is a great price, and they are in stock. I have added precisiondelta.com to my favorites and will always check them when I buy.