9mm and .357 mold?

[toddx]

Hello Gents
I am currently casting for 30/30 and want to get into some handgun bullet casting. I have a Sig 226 9mm and want to get a revolver in .357 Mag. Can I buy one mold to do both calibers and size accordingly or is this wishful thinking? I am considering a 95gr to 125gr bullet mold plus or minus.

[williamwaco]

Yes you can.

Most likely you will need only one sizing die too.

Pick a bullet that is appropriate for the 9mm. 124 to 147 gr RN or TC.

My .357 really likes the 147 gr TC.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/241746/lyman-2-cavity-bullet-mold-356637-9mm-356-diameter-147-grain-flat-nose-bevel-base


This one works well too:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/366607/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-tl356-124-tc-9mm-luger-38-super-380-acp-356-diameter-124-grain-tumble-lube-truncated-cone

[NuJudge]

A lot of 9mm pistols have grooves that are almost .358", not the .356" that 'the book' says they are. Slug your barrel. Some barrels have large groove diameter, but have a chamber that will not accept a cartridge assembled with a large diameter bullet. If so, you are stuck with jacketed.

There are threads here on what relation between cylinder throat diameter and barrel groove diameter will be conducive to lead bullet accuracy. The Search feature is your friend. A lot of revolvers also have tight spots just ahead of the forcing cone, caused by threading on the outside rear of the barrel: if this is the case, the only way I have gotten them to shoot well is with really hard gas checked bullets, or jacketed bullets.

I am really liking the Lee 125gr Cowboy mold in my Beretta 92 pistols. It looks odd with the crimp groove in a 9mm case, but it shoots so well with 231 powder, I can deal with it looking odd.

[toddx]

Thanks guys.
Currently I shoot a Penn .356 95gr and 125gr cast bullet. Thought I could just get a .358 mold and size down to .356 for 9mm.

[detox]

My RCBS 9mm boollits fall from mould @.358 diameter
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0004482077

[Shiloh]

Thanks guys.
Currently I shoot a Penn .356 95gr and 125gr cast bullet. Thought I could just get a .358 mold and size down to .356 for 9mm.

How does this bullet shoot?? Bullets sized to .356 would and do pattern at 50' for me. I need .358.
.357 will work, .358 works very well.

Shiloh

[eljefe]

I just got a six cavity Lee...
http://www.grafs.com/dealer/product/205352

I have cast about a thousand of these, and they shoot great
out of three different 38 special revolvers. In the 9mm I have
only had time to make a dummy round that chambered in my
Browning Hi Power. There are numerous reports on this board
of others having success with this bullet in 9mm.

I have only shot these sized .358 with White Label carnauba lube.
They are dropping at .359 with my range scrap/ clip on ww alloy.
Weight, lubed, is around 129 grains.

[captaint]

Todd - I don't think you will want to size down to .356 for your 9. In my own experience, the 9mm's need (for MY guns) to be sized at .358 to prevent leading. And, of course, in my chambers, the .358 is not a problem. Should also work ok in the 357. Again, just my experience. Mike

[historicfirearms]

Be sure to slug your 9mm bore. My Beretta 92 slugs at .357, the Uzi slugs .3575. I size to .3585 and get reliable chambering and no leading.

I had a Hi Power that slugged .359. Boolits sized .360 eliminated leading but would only chamber about 75% of the time. That gun was sold off to a jacketed bullet shooter.

[marlin39a]

I'm using the Lee 358-125-RF in my 9mm and 38/357 guns. I size .357 for 9mm, .358 for 38. Do a search here and you will come up with more info on this bullet.

[Ed_Shot]

Agree with Captaint, I load for 5 different 9MM's (in the family) and they all like boolits sized .358 with no leading. The only boolit I shoot in both 9MM and .38/.357 is my Lyman 358242 (now 356242) sized to .358. Mine drops at .360 and proves very accurate in both 9MM and 38/357.

[mdi]

I'm using the Lee 358-125-RF in my 9mm and 38/357 guns. I size .357 for 9mm, .358 for 38. Do a search here and you will come up with more info on this bullet.
Exactly what I do. Also use it in light .357 loads over W231...

[rintinglen]

+2, or 3 on the Lee 358-125 RF. I've had good results with this boolit in the 9mm and decent results in the 38 Special. It is the best compromise boolit I have tried. The only drawback that I see is the POA and POI don't correspond well in my J-frame 38's. Curiously, my M-10 does ok in that regard, only a few inches low at 50 feet, while the snubbies are hitting 8 inches low at the same distance.

[Boolseye]

or you could go for a NOE 358-135 grain RF (if available). Mine drop out of the mold at about .359"

[toddx]

THANKS FOR THE INFO.
My Penn bullets are .356. I have no leading and they are accurate enough to shoot little objects at 10-20 yards or more. I will, however, try sizing for larger for the 9mm, .358 or so. I suppose then the .357 will need .359 or?

[Boolseye]

No, .358" for a .357 mag/.38 spl. At least, that's what my S&W likes.