sizing question

[leadbutt]

Today i called up a gunsmith and asked if they would slug the barrel of my 9mm. He insisted that it was .356. He then told me that hes been smithing and loading his own cast boolits for the past 50 years. The reason i was trying to get this done is because im in a group buy for the re..re..re..make of the 9mm hollow point with 359dia. Im wondering if the 359 dia would be fine to be sized down to 356. Any help would be appriciated as this is my first gun/boolit that ill be working with.

L. Bottoms

[rockrat]

Might be a bit harder to run thru the size die, but should be OK. If your bore is .356", you might try .357" for your sizer choice, however, that said, your chamber will decide if you can do this or if the loaded diameter of the case neck will preclude that choice.

[Moonie]

It is uncommon for a 9mm barrel to actually be .356" I wouldn't take the "smiths" word for it.

[1Shirt]

Agree with Moonie! Seldom are all bbls going to be exact due to wear on rifling tools. Not all things in life, including bbs are equal either!
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[leadbutt]

Yea i thought it funny how he was so certain without even seeing the thing.

L. Bottoms

[DLCTEX]

I'd find another smith.

[runfiverun]

i'd insist he ain't ever done it.

most gunsmiths are like mechanics they know what the factory equipment [specs] tells them,
thier job is to fix things.
most good ase factory trained mechanics are a bit lost when it comes to trouble shooting aftermarket engines and components.[read- cast boolits]

i wouldn't even consider 356 in a 9mm.
there might be some out there with 355 bls, but i have never seen one.
maybe in a 38 special target model colt or smith with a tight 354-355 bbl.

[fredj338]

I'd find another smith.

^^THIS^^^ Any "gunsmith" that doesn't know groove dia vary & on 9mm quite a bit, would not get my guns to work on. ).359" down to 0.356" is easily done. BTW, just because the molds says 0.359" doesn't mean that is what you get. Casting temps & alloy will vary size quite a bit.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I run all my bullets for 9mm P and .380 ACP through a .357 lube and size die. They chamber and shoot fine.

[Mk42gunner]

If you are going to be casting your own boolits, why not slug the barrel yourself? There are several threads on this website that go into excruciating detail how to do it.

In truth, few things are as easy to slug as a barrel on a semi-auto pistol.

Robert

[zack]

Yeah, do it yourself. You can buy a decent enough micrometer from Lowes or about anyplace for under 25 buck$. That a pencil and some kind of soft lead ball are all you need. My 9 runs .357. Mic is a handy gadget to have around anyway.

[goofyoldfart]

Mic is a handy gadget to have around anyway.[/QUOTE]

As per Zack: I'd do it myself. and if you have trouble reading the "teenie" little lines on some of the cheaper ones--Go to Harbor Freight and get an inexpensive one of their digital readouts. you will be amazed at the uses for one of them. God Bless to all and to theirs.:grin::wink:

Goofy.:D

[40Super]

A caliper wouldn't be the right tool for measuring a slug from the bore.They are not accurate enough.I have two of the highest quality/priced ones(I'm a machinist)and I wouldn't use them even to do this. Use a Micrometer.