[jabraun98]

So I just started the whole process of reloading tonight! I found two pounds of HP-38 powder at LGS. Owner said it would be good for 9mm... I am using Winchester small pistol primers, 115grain Barry's bullets and federal cases... What's a good Amt of powder to use?
Thanks in advance!

 

[jabraun98]

I am posting this because it wasn't listed in my Lyman manual.
Thanks again!

 

[gasmitty]

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

This is Hodgdon's "cookbook" site. Only one load shown for jacketed bullets and one for lead... your Berry bullets (you did mean Berry, not Barry, right?) are plated and fall somewhere in between.
Start on the low side and work up in small increments.

Might be good to invest in another manual, too... I can't get by with just one.

 

[OldVet]

I use HP-38 in my 9mm Mak, 9mm Para and .45 ACP loads with lead bullets. It meters exceptionally well and in all but the very lightest loads will not allow a bullet to seat with a double charge. It will produce a cleaner burn in the mid to upper range of suggested loads. For general range use, you'll find full loads do nothing but burn more powder.

 

[jabraun98]

Thanks everyone! And yes I did mean berrys! Auto correct must have changed it or I typed it wrong!
Thanks again
Jabraun

 

[G-man*]

I am not where I can consult load data, but if memory serves me correct , and with the burn rate of HP38, I believe 4.3 to 4.5 is a good place to start with the 115 grain bullet.

 

[high pockets]

I am not where I can consult load data, but if memory serves me correct , and with the burn rate of HP38, I believe 4.3 to 4.5 is a good place to start with the 115 grain bullet.

I use HP-38 almost exclusively in my 9mm loads, and I agree with glockman. My load is 4.5 gr HP-38 with Berry 115gr RN using WSP primers.

Hodgdon's website is the best source for information. You could also contact Jay Phillips at Berry's Mfg. He supplied complete information to Hodgdon's, but they elected to put very little information concerning Berry's bullets in their latest manual. Jay used to be with Dillon Precision, he really knows his stuff.

 

[Springer99]

I am not where I can consult load data, but if memory serves me correct , and with the burn rate of HP38, I believe 4.3 to 4.5 is a good place to start with the 115 grain bullet.

Yep, that's a good place to start. Also, check your manual and see if you have load recommendations listed for WW231. It's the same powder as HP38, under a different label.

 

[FLSlim]

The general guidance tends to be to load plated bullets using lead data if you have nothing else to go by. Second rule of thumb, if you have no data for your bullet weight and type, you can work up loads using data from the next heavier bullet of the same type. So, since you have the Lyman manual, it does list loads for 120 gr. lead for 231 (see previous comment on HP38) and that would give you a starting point for the Berrys' (although the start loads could be too light to function in a pistol). Start low and work up, loading small 10-20 round batches until you get a load that functions best in your gun.

I've run through this realizing that you have good guidance already given by others, but someday my comments may come in handy with other loads.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[noylj]

1) As stated, go to Hodgdon.
2) Plated is loaded like lead or, at most, mid-range jacketed not to exceed 1200 fps
3) 231 = HP38
4) You need at least two INDEPENDENT loading data sources so you can start with the lowest starting load, just to be safe. Never ever just take a load and NOT work up to it. All chambers and barrels are different and your specific lots of components are different than mine or the data sources. Safety first. Walk before running. Look both ways before crossing the street.
5) Go to next heavier bullet

Bullet

Weight

Powder

Weight

Velocity

Note

P.F.

COL

JHP	115	231/HP38	3.5	959	Start	110
FMJ, JHP	115	231/HP38	4.1	1000	Start	115
Barnes X-bullet	115	231/HP38	4.2	994		114	1.120
JHP	115	231/HP38	4.3	1000	Start	115
JHP, FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.3	1010	Start	116
FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.4	1045	Start	120
Hdy FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.4	1018		117
Hdy FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.4	1116		128
Hdy FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.4	1164		134
Spr GD-HP, TMJ, JHP	115	231/HP38	4.5	1026	Start	118
Barnes X-bullet	115	231/HP38	4.5	1128	Acc.	130	1.120
JHP	115	231/HP38	4.5	1050		121
JHP, FMJ, Spr GD-HP	115	231/HP38	4.6	1100	Start	127	1.090
JHP	115	231/HP38	4.6	1089		125
Spr Spr GD-HP	115	231/HP38	4.7	1075	Start	124	1.125
J-all	115	231/HP38	4.7	1081	Start	124
FMJ/JHP	115	231/HP38	4.7	1100	Max	127
JHP, FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.8	1120	Max	129
FMJ	115	231/HP38	4.9	1135	Max	131
JHP	115	231/HP38	4.9	1253	Max	144

 

[darkstar11]

My standard target load with Berry's bullets and HP-38 is 4.3 grains and CCI or WSP primers. Has never failed to cycle my Beretta or the wifes Ruger. You can get around 1400 loads per pound at this charge rate if I remember correctly.