Ready to do my first load, but a question

[gsc3zny]

Question for experienced loaders. I am loading my 1st rounds .38 sp. I have Berrys bullets. The only info on the box is 38 cal 158 gr Flat Point. My load data from a couple of sources have 158 gr info, but for 158 gr jacketed or 158 gr copper plated or 158 gr xtp. What is the difference between copper plated and jacketed? They each have different specsWhat specs do I use?. I want to start on the low end

[nubrun]

Berry's bullets are plated bullets which typically have a slightly larger diameter. Most manual don't have plated load data so lead bullet data of the same weight and profile should be used, unless the bullet manufacturer says otherwise. The other thing to be careful of with plated bullets is the max velocity, I think 1200 fps is max for plated.

[perazziboy]

I load them like lead bullets and stay under 1000fps, buy jacketed bullets if you want to run them hot.

[Revoman]

Also, DO NOT put a heavy crimp on a plated bullet, from what I've heard, there is a chance that you will cut through the plating leaving a portion of it in the barrel. I do not load plated bullets often, but always check the crimp when I do.

[bruce381]

copper plated is a thin coating over a CAST boolit use CAST data for them.

Jacketed is a thick copper metal "jacket" they are harder and load is differnt always go by Powder mfg load.

Jacketed is ormally laoded hotter to go faster since the "jacket" will not lead like I said a copper plated is no more than a non leading CAST.

[noplay6978]

I've been using berry's for about 3 months now and there is a lot questions about loads, since berry's does not support their product with loading data. 1200 fps is the posted speed limit. I stop at 1150fps. I used the start loads for jacketed less 10% and found the accuracy poor. My best results were low side of middle range for jacketed data. The most consistant powder I used was WSF. Like REVOMAN says "DO NOT put a heavy crimp on a plated bullet". I like'm and will continue to use them for practice and target shooting.