Anyone using the 120TC on 9mm and 38 special?

[kryogen]

Anyone using the 120TC on 9mm and 38 special?

Any load data using bullseye on 38 special using the 120TC?

Seems to me like I would get more out of my lead compared to the 158RF

Good out of a 38 revolver?

Whats your OAL? 9/38? and load data?

Thanks

[blikseme300]

I use the 120TC in all of my nines and 2 Ruger 9mm/357 combi six guns. I size to .358 lubed with TAC#1 on top of 4.2gr HP38 for the 9mmP and 4.0gr of Red Dot for the 38 special using 38sp brass. Use this load data at own risk.

I can't recall OAL for the 9mmP but it was established using the plunk test as my CZ75's have a very short leade. The shoulder of the boolit is exposed about 1mm and a taper crimp die is used after seating.

[fecmech]

Lyman cast bullet handbook #3 has data for the Lyman 356402 bullet which is essentially the same. I just load the bullet so the front edge of the driving band is even with the end of the .38 case and taper crimp. I load 4.2 of Bullseye for approx 1000 fps out of a 6" K-38 and it is extremely accurate. The Lyman manual lists 5 grs . of Bullseye as max in the .38 spl.

[wv109323]

Make sure the bullet is large enough for the .38 Special. My RCBS 124 will not cast large enough for a .38 Special/.357.

[tazman]

My Lee 120 tc is just large enough as cast to run through my 357. I have used it but prefer the 125 rf. Any load data for the 125 rf in 38 special would work for the 120 tc.

[bedbugbilly]

I'm using it in both 9mm and 38 spl. My Lee mold drops them at around .358 out of range lead. I'm TL them in alox/paste wax and so far, have had no leading problems but I'm loading them light.

In the 9mm, I'm sizing them to .357. I'm using it over 3.5 gr. of BE and they work slick in my Ruger SR9. They cycle just fine, no leading and make a good plinking round - plenty accurate. I'm just using a moderate taper crimp on them - OAL of 1.052 - they feed just fine.

In 38 spl. I'm shooting them "as cast" - same TL in alox/paste wax and the ones I've loaded so far, have been over 3.4 gr of BE. I have a number of 38s - 2", 4", 5", 5 1/2" and 6" barrels. I've only shot them out of the 2" (Smith Model 36) , 4" (Smith Combat Masterpiece pre 15 and 5" (Smith M & P). I pretty much try to keep my loads on the lighter side as I mainly plink and punch paper. The 120 gr TL seem to shoot nicely out of the 4" and 5". I still want to play around with it more though as I haven't shot a large amount of them out of the 5" which is my most used range pistol. I was more concerned if they would cause any leading or not - and they didn't. As long as they drop at around .358, I'm just going to shoot them "as cast". The next time I reload any, I'm going to load some up a little higher and see what results I get. I have a WC, SWC and two different RN molds for the 38s but I really like this boolit and I think it has a lot of potential in the 38s. I'm seating them in the 38 case to the top of the groove and then doing a moderate roll crimp. I've been very happy with them.

[tazman]

kryogen wrote:Seems to me like I would get more out of my lead compared to the 158RF

Yes you will. You might also consider the new Lee 356-95-rf. For me it drops right at .358. I tumble lube it and shoot it as cast in my 38 special. I have been using 3.4 of titegroup under it for a light, accurate load.
I get 73 boollits per pound of lead with it compared to 44 of the 158gr or 58 of the 120tc.

[kryogen]

Thanks for all the replies.
Mine drop at 358 and PC adds .5 thou, so they are at .3585, which is good to run at 357 in my 9s and 358 in my 38 special.

Right now I have been casting 158 RF for the 38 special, but I kind of wonder why since it's only to punch paper, and technically, the smallest usable bullet that punches the paper is fine to use.

Is there any point using those 158RF or the 120TC over the 95RF? Since I am PC the bullets leading is a non issue right now, and I am running all reduced target loads.

(I have 800 pounds of stacked ingots so I am technically not really needing to save lead, but why waste I guess. Not really feeling like buying another mold right now but oh well.)

And I am probably going to salvage range scrap lead anyway.

[tazman]

Kryogen wrote:Is there any point using those 158RF or the 120TC over the 95RF?

Not for punching paper. The only issue that might bother you is a different point of impact. The lighter bullets tend to shoot lower.

[kryogen]

Oh so i guess that i bought those 2 molds for no reason then eh. Maybe ill cast mostly the 120tc for both since i already have it.

[kryogen]

What about the 358 105 swc? Would punch cleaner holes compared to the 95rf?

Good feeding in the semi autos or maybe not?
Which one should i get?

Jeez i have too many molds

[tazman]

I wouldn't say "no reason".
The 158rf is an accurate hard hitting bullet useful for hunting and target both. The 120tc is great in a 9mm and useful for plinking in a 38 special. If it performs accurately enough in the 38 it would make a great light bullet people stopper. Low recoil and good penetration.
Since you have a large quantity of lead available you really have no need to worry about a few more bullets per pound. Try the 120tc in your 38 and see what your results are before you purchase another mold you would have to test to see if it works as well as what you already have.

[tazman]

The 105 punches really clean holes in paper. works well in 38 special. Can be problematic in an auto. Some pistols like it, some don't

[kryogen]

So maybe the 120tc will be my main bullet if i want to feed autos and 38 with just a mold

[tazman]

It can do that, and does work in both my 9mm and 38 special loads for my 357.

[MaryB]

I use them as cast at .358 in my C9, it has an oversized barrel like most of them.

[Garyb]

I use the TC in 9s using 5gr of Unique with COL of 1.065". The TC will not feed in my Rock Island 1911 TCM with the 9 barrel installed. Not sure how it works in other 1911s but I suspect they all prefer ball ammo.

[Blanco]

I have just started loading this same combination in my Beretta (96 w/92 barrel) and the right loading for me seems to be (120 TC 4.0~4.2 BE. COL 1.1 )
It seems to like being pushed a bit faster to get the accuracy

[Shiloh]

Just in the 9mm. Never tried it in the .38. I have a LEE 125 RF that works well in both 9mm, 38 and .357.

Shiloh

[zomby woof]

Mine drops at .3565

[kryogen]

Well, since I powdercoat I will try some at .357
358 bulks the case quite a bit.

anyone loading the 120TC with power pistol?

The lyman book lists it 5.1-5.7PP, OAL = 1.110
They dont pass the plunk test at this oal.
Mine load fine in my glock and beretta at 1.075
How is it going to affect the starting load?

If I load at 1.075, instead of starting at 5.1, is 4.5 a safe start? Or is it too low? And then raise the charge .1 at a time until it cycles fine? Or use the chrony to check speed to get an idea of presure?

[Cherokee]

I load the Lee 120TC (lube grooves) with power pistol. I started at 5.2 and settled on 5.5 gr @ 1.055 OAL which gives me 1190 fps from my 5" Caspian 1911. PP gives more flash and bang than other powders. I've run about 4k of them throught several 9's and is my choice when I want top velocity. At a longer OAL than mine, I think 5.1 start might be fine, but starting lower is good. You want to work up to what your gun(s) like. Do use the chron to check progress.

[bbailey7821]

I've got a 6-banger for this boolit and I use it extensively in my 38 Super 1911. Feeds well and doesn't lead in 12-1300 fps velocity range. I have loaded it with Blue Dot and Unique. Equally accurated with either.

[fecmech]

The lyman book lists it 5.1-5.7PP, OAL = 1.110
They dont pass the plunk test at this oal.
Mine load fine in my glock and beretta at 1.075
How is it going to affect the starting load?

If I load at 1.075, instead of starting at 5.1, is 4.5 a safe start? Or is it too low? And then raise the charge .1 at a time until it cycles fine? Or use the chrony to check speed to get an idea of presureThe Lee and Lyman bullets don't use the same oal . See below
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?115157-9MM-OAL-for-356-120-TC

[kryogen]

Oh great thanks I'll try that.
Should I just load to 1.055 to ensure reliable feed all the time? 1.075 is quite close to the rifling I would say. (its probably 1.080-85 or something).

I'll start low and try.

[sigep1764]

Did some ladder loads with the TC and IMR PB powder. First mold and first castings being shot today. Will let you know how they turn out. Loaded all to 1.055 to fit the short throat of my SIG. My Ruger P95 seems to digest anything at any length.

[kryogen]

ok I loaded at 1.055
5 of each with power pistol from 5.0 to 5.5
will try wednesday in my glock and report. (powder coated)

[sigep1764]

Did some ladder loads with the TC and IMR PB powder. First mold and first castings being shot today. Will let you know how they turn out. Loaded all to 1.055 to fit the short throat of my SIG. My Ruger P95 seems to digest anything at any length.

3.5 grains of PB at 1.055 was great. No leading! Not even in the Sig. This was my biggest worry with cast I g my own boolits. Now I have a pile of lubed and sized boolits. This forum helped a lot.

[Cherokee]

Oh great thanks I'll try that.
Should I just load to 1.055 to ensure reliable feed all the time? 1.075 is quite close to the rifling I would say. (its probably 1.080-85 or something).

I'll start low and try.

Let your gun(s) tell you what works. I had to use 1.055 to work in all my 9's, some would allow longer. You have already seen that 1.075 works for you so why change. Since OAL can vary due to differnt case neck tensions/thickness, you might try 1.070 just for more clearence. Up to you, swee if you have any problems before changing.

[kryogen]

tested yesterday,
5.0 to 5.5 of power pistol with oal 1.055 works fine.

5.5 gives me speed 1150-1170

so I think 5.5 is going to be my keeper to test accuracy the next 100 next rounds and then see I guess.

all 25 cycled fine from 5.0 to 5.5, no issues. .357 PCed (size after PC)

no leading at all in glock after 25 shots.

[bandsmoyer]

I use the LEE 124TL, works great,and saves lead.

[DLCTEX]

I load the 120 TC over 3.9 gr Red Dot (that's what #11 rotor in Little Dandy drops) for 9mm with great results. I size to .357 and it works in three different guns, lubed with Ben's Red.