My heaviest bullet loaded previously had been the 125gr Zero JHP. I only had "12"Berry's .356" 135gr rn from a sample pack just sitting there looking at me, so I gave them a try today. I needed more bullets for a good test, but wanted to play.
I had also bought a pound of AA #5 just to see how that would load/perform.
I checked the "revised Accurate Powder" data and found it to be a lot lighter loads than Lee and other older data showed. I had heard about changes with AA powders, so I basically went with the "Accurate Update" data which only gave data for 124gr and 147 gr bullets. I "interpolated" (yeah guessed) at where 135 gr fell between the two.
I loaded 3 different loads using 4 rds each load. I stayed conservative due to the fairly narrow load range and high pressures given.
I used a C.E. Pro-Chrono Digital to check performance.
1st load: 4.9grs AA #5 @ 1.136", WIN case, FED SPP.
906'/sec avg, ES-35, PF 122.3
2nd load: 5.1grs AA #5 @ 1.136", WIN case, FED SPP.
912'/sec avg, ES-18, PF 123.4 I expected a little more increase looking at the load range data.
3rd load:: 3.6grs Viht n320 @ 1.136", WIN Case FED SPP. I had to try my go-to powder. I needed to see the results of the two AA#5 loads before increasing the load to 5.5 and didn't have bullets to spare for more AA loads.
928'/sec avg, ES-13, PF 125.3 Just barely made minor PF.
Findings: AA #5 powder has way small "ball" particles, noticeably smaller than Win231/HP-38.. My LEE Pro Disc system leaked a lot during the test loading. It does not present a problem leak with 231 or n320
This powder is very dense (AA5 container is 1/2 the size of a n320 container). With 5 grs, I could drop THREE TIMES IN ONE 9MM CASE AND NOT OVERFLOW THE CASE. Loader be aware.
Shooting: With these loads using the Berry's 135gr bullet, recoil 'felt' less snappy with all three powder loads. I would want 130PF+ and more less-rigid shooting before making a final judgement on this.
The groups were all equally higher than my normal POI. About 1 1/4" higher at 11 yds. Again more tests are needed for conclusions.
I shot seated but two-hand unsupported (through the Chono) and the three groups were good (for me) at about 1" with two 'flyers'. at least three bullets made one elongated hole. 5.1 grs of #5 and 3.6grs of n320 were the tightest groups, but not enough shots to mean anything.
Conclusion- Judgement is still out on the powder and the bullet. Future tests would have to convince me to like the sawdust-fine & very dense #5 powder. I think I would like to try the 130gr .356 bullet from Berry's for more thorough testing with AA#5, n320 and maybe another powder.
That 135gr Berry's bullet would do the job on steel.
This doesn't tell YOU much at all, but maybe it'll provide some background info useful in the future.