Range Report Requested for Spanish Destroyer

[Sgt Petro]

I have a Spanish Destroyer Carbine I've been working some loads up for.
It has a pretty large bore for 9mm (I mic it at .360).
I have 200 cases of Starline 9mm Largo. I'm a bit worried about the case thickness now. I know they run on the thick side. Hoping I don't start to swage the boolit as I increase the diameter.

Does anyone have any insight into a nice cast bullet for it?
Perhaps be willing to do a quick range report in particular for the MiHec 9mm 125gr?

I've done a few searches but, didn't find anyone shooting one using a MiHec mold.

[leftiye]

I like the looks of the Lee truncated cone single lube groove 125 grain flat point for 9mms in general. As you know, there must be a whole bahzillion of different molds for the 9mms. That having been said it gets worse if your bore is oversized and .357 boolits up to and beyond .360 become called necessary. So, now the only thing holding you back is magazine length. Maybe the lyman 358311 (160 gr RN)? Sorry if all I said was - you've got a lot of choices.

Want thick cases? make them out of .223 brass. which is the 9X23, and fits most 9mm bergman/largo chambers like a glove and is near to bulletproof in a largo.

[Larry Gibson]

I've had my Spanish destroyer for probably 20 years now and have shot a lot of cast bullets through it (or rather my wife has as she seems to think it's hers:sad:) It was a PITA back before Starline came out with reloadable cases so I set the barrel back 1/2 turn on mine to headspace on .38 Super cases. Other than that there should be any difference in loads.

I have tried many .38 cal cast bullets from 100 gr to 160 in mine and have pretty much settled on the Lee 356-120-TC sized at .358 or .360 depending on the alloy they are cast of. My Destroyer slugs at .358 and I've shot cast sized .357 - .360 and have not found any real difference. I normally cast of a range lead alloy at about 12 BHN and lube with BAC these days. I've found 3 - 3.5 gr of Bullseye or WST gives excellent accuracy at 900+ fps. 5.5 gr of Bullseye gets 1480 fps but accuracy suffers. The 358477 over 4.5 gr Unique at 1200 fps is another good load in mine.

BTW; with jacketed bullets of 88 to 125 gr you can get some pretty impressive velocities and accuracy safely in the Destroyer. I sort of just NS mine using a 9mm P sizer So these "hot" loads will not chamber in any 38 Super chamber. However, I seldom load these and they are usually shot up so I don't have any around. Anyway as I can't keep the wife in ammo even with 700 cases, a 6 cavity mould cast bullets and loading on a 550B Dillon[smilie=l:

Photo shows my "scout" Destroyer, loaded cartridge and a group at 50 yards with the 3 gr Bullseye load.

Larry Gibson

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[texassako]

I had issues with Starline's Largo brass being to short to headspace on the mouth and getting light primer strikes. It was .020" shorter than the Santa Barbara surplus cases. All I shoot now is converted .223 cases. I use a long enough expander so they don't swage down, but I have to be careful they still chamber. I had no issues getting a proper sized bullet to fit with thick brass, but both of mine are .358" bores. Start low and work up the load. Mine actually like the 358156.

[Sgt Petro]

Leftiye, Larry and texassako, Thanks for your responses and feedback. I know the question was really broad.
I do have starline brass, so that's what I'll start with. A dumy round I made up seems to chamber ok, but I won't really know if I have a long chamber until I load a few up. I might try to make a quick chamber cast, see if that provides any insight.

Interesting to to see the wide range of boolits these things will digest. I do have the 358311, 358156 and 358477. Of course each of these carbines seem to be a rule unto themselves.
I might just cast a sample batch of 20 each and see how it goes, undersized or not. I'm not looking for real hot loads here, plinking for the future wife (Larry your comment is noted :razz: )

[texassako]

I looked in my load book for what was best this evening. These worked in mine, use with caution if you try them. The 358156 was shot without a gas check, the check bulged cases, TAC1 lube, sized .359", converted 9mm Win mag brass, Fiocchi SP primer, 6.5 gr Alliant Blue Dot, 1.3" OAL, and was a 3" 10 shot group at 50 yards. It leaded one rifle a little bit. The best is a weird little Saeco 371 mold that may be difficult to find a similar bullet, a long body for its weight 105 gr BBTC. These were TAC1 lubed, sized .359", converted .223 cases, Fiocchi primer, 4.9gr Bullseye, 1.3" OAL, and 2" groups at 50 yards. The ones that did not work for me were the 358250(to long or bulged case, may mean your 358311/358477 are to), 36072 105 gr RN, and the Ranchdog 100 gr .380 ACP design.

[Sgt Petro]

Thanks for looking that up tex.
Looks like I'll start with the 358156. I might try to load a dummy as-cast and check for bulges/chambering issues.

[autofix4u]

I use the Lee 125 grn tc for the 357 mag in mine loaded over Blue dot in 9x23 winchester brass. Shoots as good as the kids can hold. My 7 year old nephew killed a nice little doe with it last fall, now he says it is his.... and probably will be soon.
I did set the barrel back and re chamber with a 9x23 reamer to fix a head space issue.