9mm cast boolit choices

[armednfree]

I'm looking to try some cast 9mm loads and need to select a Lee mold. I see in these threads shooting .358 bullets from 9mm. These are my choices:

This one I have:

http://leeprecision.com/images/T/t-74.jpg
A 158 grain RNTL

This is one I'm looking at:

http://leeprecision.com/images/T/t-77.jpg

A 124 grain .356

And the other choice:

http://leeprecision.com/images/T/t-81.jpg

A 125 grain .358

So here's the delema. I'm not going through all this lead blending and hardness testing for these bullets. The load for the 124-125 grain bullets will likely be 4 grains of Bullseye. That load should be less than 1000fps.

I have read that the 158 can be used in a 9mm, but I have no data and haven't tried seating one yet. I would guess the load for Bullseye would be in the 3 grain range. I have to wonder if it would bulge the case beyond the ability to chamber. Some input here would be appreciated.

The 125 grain .358 seems like a viable option as I could also use them in my 38's. Still, .003 over spec size. I have some concerns about feeding with the RNFP.

With the 124 grain .356 if it doesn't work I'm out a mold cost. I'm a cheap bastage and don't like that. By the way, all loads would be lubed with 45-45-10.

So, some input here guys. I did fire some factory lead in my Sig sub compact P250 with no leading issues. Not so with my PT92.

These are SD training loads, I only need them to stack in a pie plate at 12 yards max.

[Wal']

The 125 .358 would be my choice, I've been using store bought 130 grn 358's in my HP for years.

Like you, just starting with casting my own, can't get a 130 grn mold down here in Oz so I'm setting up with the 125-358

The 158grn's are not going to leave much space for your powder & most likely you'll end up with a compressed load.

keep us up to speed with which choice you make.

[Finster101]

Depending on what you are using them for, take a look at the 358105 SWC. Good accuracy and saves a lot of lead.

[runfiverun]

the bottom one.
i don't care what spec. is.
if you measure your bbl's, youll see why the 38 boolits are so popular in the 9mm.
especially in that taurus.

[Shiloh]

the bottom one.
i don't care what spec. is.
if you measure your bbl's, youll see why the 38 boolits are so popular in the 9mm.
especially in that taurus.

+1 to the bottom one.

I received this mold Thursday and got it running well yesterday. Finished casting about an hour ago. The boolits measure .3593 so it will be perfect for both the .38/357 and 9mm.

The top boolit is too heavy for a 9mm. The RNTL boolit will be great if it drops large enough. My doesn't and will hit the 50' target sideways. That is the ones that don't miss the NRA B-2 target completely.

I told RFR that I would post results on performance. I work late shift this week so it may not be till this weekend.

I went with the LEE 125 RNFP from suggestions and PM's right here on CastBoolits.
Mine drop at 129.6 grains from this batch of alloy. I am optimistic I can get it running well in .38 and 9mm

Shiloh

[armednfree]

the bottom one.
i don't care what spec. is.
if you measure your bbl's, youll see why the 38 boolits are so popular in the 9mm.
especially in that taurus.

You're talking blow by, yes? That is a real possibility since the leading in the PT92 is from the breech to the muzzle but, heaviest at the breech.

[MtGun44]

Lee 356-120-TC conventional lube is my personal favorite. Feeds 100% and is an
accurate round in a wide range of 9mms. AC WWTs and NRA 50-50 sized to .357 or
.358 and good to go.

Bill

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

Lee 356-120-TC conventional lube is my personal favorite. Feeds 100% and is an
accurate round in a wide range of 9mms. AC WWTs and NRA 50-50 sized to .357 or
.358 and good to go.

Bill

+1 I use these , i actually tumble lube them don't push them real hard and they are fine tumble lubed ,mine cast ready to tumble lube and load i know it is almost like cheating , cast , tumble , load

4.5 gr power pistol in mixed brass is a blast at the range recoil is light as that is a fairly reduced load

[Shiloh]

Lee 356-120-TC conventional lube is my personal favorite. Feeds 100% and is an
accurate round in a wide range of 9mms. AC WWTs and NRA 50-50 sized to .357 or
.358 and good to go.

Bill

Mine drop at around .3566 at the parting lines. Adding lino and it won't make .357. It tumbles. The only 9mm mold that works is the LEE 125 gr RN. which just touches the sizer at .358.

Shiloh

[Thumbcocker]

I have been having very good results with the 125rf and power pistol in a 9mm BH. They do have to be seated deep to fit those tight chambers. Accuracy has been impressive. Little lead and powder used.

[Rotaxxx]

http://leeprecision.com/images/T/t-77.jpg


I use this one with good success in my JR carbine

[armednfree]

Lee 356-120-TC conventional lube is my personal favorite. Feeds 100% and is an
accurate round in a wide range of 9mms. AC WWTs and NRA 50-50 sized to .357 or
.358 and good to go.

Bill

I'll put that on the list

[sig2009]

Lee 356-120-TC conventional lube is my personal favorite. Feeds 100% and is an
accurate round in a wide range of 9mms. AC WWTs and NRA 50-50 sized to .357 or
.358 and good to go.

Bill

I sold this mold. It would not drop larger than .356 no matter what mixture of lead I used!

[armednfree]

I seated some dummy rounds of the lee rntl .358. There is a bulge in the middle of the case. It chambers fine in my PT92, not not at all in my Sig p250.

Looks like 3 grains of Bullseye, what do you guys think?

[revolvergeek]

I have had good results reloading 9mmP with both the 125 LRNTL .356 and the 124 .358 RNFP. I tired some .358 158 RNFP Lee (great in .38 spl and .357 mag) but I found that I had to seat them deeper in the case than I liked in order to get the to clear the short throats on most of my pistols.

The 125 LRNTL has also been a very good performer for me in .380 acp and .38 Spl loads. Nice little boolit.

[fish0123]

I am using the 125 .358 flat nose on the bottom in my glock 26. It feeds fine and accuracy is fine but I am having issues with it leading which I am sure are my fault. I think it is a good choice for the 9mm.

[UBER7MM]

Some bullet designs won't work in some guns. Get your buddies to cast you up some test boolits so that you can experiement before you buy. The more of a selection of designs, the better. I'd hate to see you spend money on a mold that didn't work your application.

[Crosshair]

Depending on what you are using them for, take a look at the 358105 SWC. Good accuracy and saves a lot of lead.

Ditto. I use this in all my 9mm and it feeds in everything from a Hi-Point C9, to a PC-9, to a P-89, to a CZ 2075 RAMI P.

[alamogunr]

In working up loads for my 2 sons Ruger 9mm's, I used both the Lee 358-105-SWC and 358-125-RF(your third picture). Both were TL with 45-45-10 approx. and shot well with very little leading in either gun. I suspect I could have reduced the charge(Unique) and eliminated the leading. I really like the 125 RF since I use it in both the 9mm and .38 Spec.

[palmettosunshine]

I actually use the Lee 356-102-1R for .380 and 9mm. Makes a very nice, light load in 9mm with a light charge of Bullseye (sorry I'm not in the shop and don't trust myself to remember the charge).

This combo cycles the action reliably in my CZ-75B full size and is stupidly accurate.

[MtGun44]

Try Unique. I have had excellent results with it in 9mm.

Beagle that skinny mold and it'll be fine.

Bill

[reloader28]

Another vote for the 125gr RF.
Shoots good in our 9mm's. We're using PB checks on them and a hot load of Bullseye with no leading sized .358.

This boolit also shoots good in our 380's and 38's.

[armednfree]

With the 158, what is the charge of Unique and is Bluedot useable.

[Floydster]

Do not load the 158 gr. bullets in the 9mm, you are asking for trouble--been there done that.

[armednfree]

Do not load the 158 gr. bullets in the 9mm, you are asking for trouble--been there done that.

Explain please

[quilbilly]

That 125 gr rnfp is a great shooter in my 9mm T/C carbine with 4.6 gr of Unique. Coyotes don't seem to like it however.

[MtGun44]

Case is very small and tapered inside. By the time you seat a 158 deep enough to fit
the mag, you will be sizing the base down smaller, and you will have a VERY small
combustion chamber which increases pressures. Not impossible, it just has some potential
pitfalls. .38 Super is much more capable of dealing with 158s due to longer case and
longer parallel sided portion inside.

You can't drive them very fast either, and I would imagine that data is hard to come
by. I again recommend the Lee 356-120-TC at .357 or .358 from air cooled wwts.

Bill

[pt4u2nv]

Anybody use the Lee 356-125-2R ? I am in the process of starting to work up loads for it in my Taurus P111. Boolit is a round nose with a a single lube groove and nice short base that does not set real deep in the case. I will post results as I get into it a little deeper.

[paul h]

I tried the lee 358-105-swc sized .357" out of my ruger 9mm and it shot very well

http://www.titanreloading.com/image/cache/data/Products/90316-250x250.jpg

I used bullseye and had very good accuracy.

[flyfrod]

I just worked up some dummy rounds with the .358 125gr RF and wondering about the seating depth. Mine are at 1.050 for OAL. Will this be ok?

[alamogunr]

I just worked up some dummy rounds with the .358 125gr RF and wondering about the seating depth. Mine are at 1.050 for OAL. Will this be ok?

I just seated the boolet to the crimp groove, although for a semi-auto the case is not crimped into the groove. I never thought to measure the OAL. They worked fine. No misfeeds or failure to go into battery.

[Centaur 1]

Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF is the mold to buy. I use it almost exclusively in my .380, 9mm and 38 special, and it works awesome in all three calibers. I use them as cast in the 38, and I size them to .358 for the .380 and 9mm. I also have the Lee 105 grain wadcutter and I use the same charge weight as with the ranch dog boolit. The RD boolit feeds better in the auto's and the 6 cavity mold really pumps out the boolits.

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_24&products_id=20

Here's what I load for the various calibers, use at your own risk.

.380 - 3 grains of unique

9mm - 3.6 grains Bulleye
5 grains Unique

38 special - 5 grains Unique
3.6 grains Bulleye
4.6 grains Trail Boss

[armednfree]

I fired 75 158 grain cast bullets today with 3.0 grains of Bullseye. They were plenty accurate for what I'm doing albeit a little slow. The slide speed was slow but all rounds fed fine.

I fired the first 25 and noted some minor leading ahead of the chamber about 3/4 inch. I had not cleaned the gun after firing jacketed bullets extensively. I cleaned the gun and and got the barrel very clean. I then ran a patch of JPW down the bore followed by 3 dry patches. I then fired the remaining 50 rounds. Upon examination I could see the same kind of ash I see when shooting the 45-45-10/ Mica lube in my 40S+W. One shot with a brush and it was gone.

These were factory cast bullets that I put a single coat of 45-45-10/ Mica on. Seems to have worked fine. I might bump the load up to 3.2 grains of Bullseye.

[dbldblu]

The old Lyman 44th edition has data for their 358311 which is a 158 gr round nose. With Bullseye they listed 3.0 as a starting load at 869 fps and 3.5 max load at 961 fps. With Unique they listed 3.5 as a starting load at 883 fps and 4.5 max load at 1039 fps. This is out of a 4" barrel. I would be very cautious with this data. I am not sure Lyman even ran pressure measurements back then. Some of their loads for other calibers are too hot IMO.

[armednfree]

Here's the thing, 3.0 of Bullseye works well with the bullet I used. I have not yet tried my Lee TL358-158rn. Only after I try that will I try any increase. Maybe 3.2 grains just to kick the slide a little harder.

Little steps here.

[MikeS]

I would recommend the Lee 358-105-SWC boolit as a good choice for the 9mm. I've loaded them with unique (I don't recall the quantity) and in my gun, a Tanfoglio GT41 (a CZ clone) they shoot with zero leading! I cast them with an alloy close to Lyman #2 (BHN 15). When I first started loading for 9mm I was concerned, as I've read many threads here about the 9 leading more than most other cartridges, but after slugging my barrel, and using a properly sized boolit I didn't have any problems. I think lots of trouble is from boolits being sized too small, so it's important that the barrel is slugged so you know what you're working with.