flat point bullets

[carloooo]

hey there fellow calgunners ! i was wondering if any of you guys had any experience or input on flat point bullets for 9mm. ive read a few posts and still kinda unsure about them, any info you guys can give me will surely be appreciated. thanks !

[CZ93x62]

Not trying to be a "wiseacre" here, but "flat point" could mean at least a couple different designs to me. I have used both truncated cone and round-nosed flatpoints in autopistol calibers for quite some time. TCs tend to be less finicky for me, but the RNFP can run very well also.

I can be more specific as needed--lemme know.

[carloooo]

oh sorry about the lack of info, i was looking at berry's plated flat points:

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14472-c11-g8-b0-p0-9mm_115gr_FP.aspx

[noylj]

Most accurate in most guns are 115-124gn JHPs. Next would be 115-124gn L-SWCs. I have not found that FMJ-FPs are all that much more accurate than FMJ-RN in 9x19, and stick with 124gn JHPs from Montana Gold, Precision Delta, and Zero Bullets (buy from Powder Valley). Two bullets that, to me, are more special purpose but are VERY accurate are Zero's 121gn JHP (supposedly 0.356, but mine are 0.3555") and Montana Gold's 121gn IFP (it is their 115 JHP, only without the hollow point).
With the wide variations in groove diameter of 9x19 barrels (generally in the range of 0.355-0.362"), I find that 0.356-0.357" jacketed bullets often have a slight accuracy edge over 0.355" bullets. F
or a couple of decades (mid-'70s to mid-'90s), about all I fired were .357" jacketed and 0.358" cast bullets in my 9x19s, and they worked quite well. Currently, in my CZ75s and 1911 (with groove diameters of 0.355-0.3555") and having very little lead for casting, I am buying jacketed bullets that I can afford (thus, my recommendations).
One bullet I want to test is the Montana Gold 0.357" 142gn FMJ "Yellow" in my 9x19s and .38 Supers. This looks like an "affordable" heavy bullet.

[CZ93x62]

Ah. That's a truncated cone right there. Does Berry's give a recommended cartridge overall length for this bullet? Or loading data?

[carloooo]

Wow thanks for the info noylj !

Yes, ive browsed other forums for this specific bullet and i have stored the information that has been given to them from the rep's over at Berry's. they say that 1.05-1.09 is the best OAL for this bullet

[CZ93x62]

Cool deal. Start with low powder charges and work up, any time a new component becomes part of the program. ENJOY!

[carloooo]

thanks for the input guys, i do appreciate it !

[mycrstuff]

What is the benefit of using a flat nose bullet? It seems that most of the people who shoot flat nose are shooting metal targets. Does it cut down on the ricochets?

[carloooo]

from what i have read, it makes a nice, visible hole when paper punching

[Chief-7700]

from what i have read, it makes a nice, visible hole when paper punching

LSWC makes better holes in paper.

[Fishslayer]

oh sorry about the lack of info, i was looking at berry's plated flat points:

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14..._115gr_FP.aspx

I would call that a truncated cone (TC). I've had good luck with Bear Creek's moly coated version in 124gr. The BC are a little "less truncated" but the profiles are similar. I would anticipate zero issues with the Berry's.

[ireload]

I use that bullet (Berry's 115gr. FP) for my practice/plinking rounds. My load recipe 5.8 grains Unique any standard small pistol primer at 1.060" overall lenght. Cycles good for my Beretta 92FS and Ruger P-95. Even my brother in law's Sig 228 has not problem digesting the load.

[carloooo]

awsome ! thanks for the info ireload ! im planning to load these for my M9 so its nice to hear they're functioning well through your 92 [:

[Whiterabbit]

What is the benefit of using a flat nose bullet? It seems that most of the people who shoot flat nose are shooting metal targets. Does it cut down on the ricochets?

Fatter wound channel in whatever flesh you happen to be shooting at. handgun hunters swear by flat points, usually WFN, LFN, or WLN. RNFP if a cartridge like 45/70, or truncated cones for select cartridges, shotgun slugs, etc.

I like them because they are easier to work with in presses and tooling.