Roundnose vs. Trunicated cone boolits

[fatelvis]

I just bought a SA XD mod2 3" 9mm pistol,(I love it), and I'm looking to start loading for it, using my now "vacated" brass. Lol I'm torn between loading 115grn TC or RN boolits. I was just wondering what the pros and cons of each are. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[FISH4BUGS]

I shoot both and prefer the H&G #331 RN. The other truncated cone bullet is an RCBS 124gr conical nose 9mm and a Lyman 356402. They all work and they all feed well in the S&W 3914, the UZI SBR, and subguns. I like the H&G # 331 because it is a six cavity and casts like a dream. All the bullets feed, they all go bang. The RCBS is a slightly shorter bullet with a sharper shoulder angle. The Lyman is a bit more pointy.
If there is any edge, the round nose seems to feed a little bit better in the submachineguns.
As always, your mileage may vary.

[Yodogsandman]

Try both! One will probably shoot better or feed better than the other.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I use both in 9mm. Both fed and group well. The round nose (Lyman 358242) prints/cuts a ragged hole on the target whereas the conical nose (RCBS) 115 cuts a sharp(er) hole similar to a wadcutter. Both designs were standard for the Luger but do well in modern semi-autos. LLS

[bangerjim]

I cast both.......but find the TC's cycle better in semi's......all of them....not just 9's!

RN's work great in all my wheel guns.

banger

[bruce drake]

I shoot both and prefer the H&G #331 RN. The other truncated cone bullet is an RCBS 124gr conical nose 9mm and a Lyman 356402. They all work and they all feed well in the S&W 3914, the UZI SBR, and subguns. I like the H&G # 331 because it is a six cavity and casts like a dream. All the bullets feed, they all go bang. The RCBS is a slightly shorter bullet with a sharper shoulder angle. The Lyman is a bit more pointy.
If there is any edge, the round nose seems to feed a little bit better in the submachineguns.
As always, your mileage may vary.

Probably the best answer I've read.

[scottfire1957]

Try both! One will probably shoot better or feed better than the other.

Yep! Unless you have to buy two moulds. My XD45 shoots anything, so I'd just pick what I want, and cast and shoot that.

[jcren]

Depends on usage. I like the tc due to more "smack" on targets and yard varmits, plus it mimics my preferred Hornady xtp defense ammo

[sigep1764]

I use the 120B mold from accurate. It mimics the xtp load like Lymans 356402. He cut it to throw a 359 boolit and it feeds well as long as i seat almost to the shoulder. The Elco mold from NOE is also a great mold that can be cast as a round flat or hollowpoint.

[Ed_Shot]

I'd also recommend using both. I use the Lyman 358242 & 356402 and Lee's 356-120-TC & 356-125-2R. All function perfectly. IMHO the RN's are more accurate.

[dale2242]

I tend to lean toward the TCs.
I have them in 9MM and 40 SW.
I shoot a Lyman SWC in my 45ACP.....dale

[gwpercle]

I grew up reading Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton, and both didn't have a lot of great things to say about RN boolits.
Flat nosed boolits were said to be "better", ergo, I tend to favor SWC and TC designs. I shoot a lot of target and WC , SWC, and TC all cut nice clean holes which look pretty. I also think the TC design just looks more business like.
All of that being said, when I started loading for 9mm I started with a Lee 105 SWC ( actually it is a small TC), then got a 124 grain RN and lastly a 120 grain TC mould ( all Lee non tumble lube designs). They all work, the 105 was trickier than the others, but I got the details worked out, I really do not see any difference in accuracy , so far all the paper targets and tin cans died.
After fooling around with the 3 different Lee moulds, I decided I preferred the TC design best. Then, since all my moulds are 1 - 2 cavity Lee or Lyman, I decided to buy one of the custom high dollar moulds, I got a NOE 124 grain TC 4 cavity. It wiped out a $100.00 bill but I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. Work, bad weather and cold has kept me from trying the mould yet, but it's above freezing today...maybe the shed wont be too cold. I wonder if the wife would let me use her kitchen stove, it's warm in the kitchen....she's gone right now and ....naw, I'm NOT listening to the bad idea fairy again.....I learned lesson last time .
Gary

[fatelvis]

I'm getting the feeling that TC boolits might be getting a little more of the vote here. I'm going to put up a vote, just for fun's sake.

[Scharfschuetze]

If you're just shooting at paper or steel, I don't think it makes too much of a difference. I have no empirical evidence to support it, but my feeling is the TC design is a bit more accurate and just as reliable.

My RCBS 9mm mould throws a semi-truncated cone design that has shot well in all my different 9s that I've had over the years.

Just saw your survey and threw my 2 cents in there as well.

[Plate plinker]

I cast both.......but find the TC's cycle better in semi's......all of them....not just 9's!

RN's work great in all my wheel guns.

banger

Agree Especially about the wheel guns. 625 loves rn in a moon clip.

[vzerone]

Agree Especially about the wheel guns. 625 loves rn in a moon clip.

My experience shows the round nose bullets being very accurate. That's not to say the TC's aren't. I've even found jacketed round nose rifle bullets to be very accurate. The TC will make a better hole in paper targets for scoring then a round nose will. I feel that both feel about the same in semi-auto's.

[earplug]

Don.t overlook the Saeco #928. It's been great in my 9mm. Nice heavy RN

[ioon44]

My most accurate 9 mm/ .38 cal boolit is a 120 gr SWC PB from a old NEI 4 cav mold. It has always shot tighter groups than any TC or RN boolit I have tried in pistols or revolvers. They shot the same with wax lube or Hi-Tek coating, the Hi-Tek is a lot cleaner to use.

[GWM]

If accuracy is important it's more about the fit of the contour to the throat, but I have found meplats to be dented or deformed in cycling and much prefer round noses.

[JSnover]

I like both, thought it's true (in my experience) that RN boolits feed better in my Thompson. My 1911 hasn't shown much of a preference.