9mm/38spl

[LBass]

Been thinking I could use a quality mold like this one from NOE http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_299&products_id=2282&osCsid=ls7fjqnoc6q1pui0vopii0t2g3
I feel like this could be a good bullet with flat or hollow point in 38 special, or 357, but can I size them down a few thousandths and expect them to work fine in 9mm. I'll like to be able to share the mold, with the hollow point it should weigh less than factory 147gr ammo. Just a bit worried about it feeding in a semi-auto.

Anyone have a reason this wouldn't work? I have a Lyman 450 now that I think can handle the size difference.

Thanks, Lonnie

[Freightman]

I use a .358 boolit in my 9mm with good results I shoot as cast, if it chambers consistently use it. might want to slug the barrel to see what it is and go from there .

[Greg S]

You might want to go abit bigger. Mihec made a dual purpose 359 or 360 135 HP that I picked up for 38 plinkers and 9mm. Some folks are using big 9mm boolits to get them to shoot.

[LBass]

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_293&products_id=1539&osCsid=ls7fjqnoc6q1pui0vopii0t2g3
He also makes this mold, but I was worried more about feeding with it, Didn't see the 135gr HP on the list.

[308Jeff]

Subscribing

[308Jeff]

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_293&products_id=1539&osCsid=ls7fjqnoc6q1pui0vopii0t2g3
He also makes this mold, but I was worried more about feeding with it, Didn't see the 135gr HP on the list.

That's a sexy bullet, if it'll work.

[reddog81]

I like NOE molds and own quite a few but I don't see any of their 38/357 molds working that well for 9mm. I have no idea what the intended use for the 357-150 Bulldog mold is. That design is quite different from your average mold - look at the length of the drive bands. They are very narrow/small. If I were going buy any NOE molds with the intention of using them in 9mm I'd go for the 360-150 RN.

The problem with 147 grain bullets and other heavy bullets isn't just the weight. The biggest problem is the extra case capacity that they fill. You can have the largest hollow point imaginable but if the bullet is seated too deep changes the pressures dramatically.

I have used the Hi-Tek 356-135 FN in both 9mm and 38 special. This is a 9mm mold and when powder coated it bumps the diameter up enough so that it can be used in 38 special.

[mdi]

The 357-150-FN looks like it would serve a dual purpose, but I would check how much of that bullet is seated in a 9mm case. I looks kinda long to me.

I have a mold I use for my 38s, 357s and 9mms. I just run them through a different sizer. It's a Lee 125 gr. RNFP mold

[Shiloh]

My 9's need boolits at .358. .357 works, .356 pattern.

Shiloh

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I like NOE molds and own quite a few but I don't see any of their 38/357 molds working that well for 9mm. I have no idea what the intended use for the 357-150 Bulldog mold is. That design is quite different from your average mold - look at the length of the drive bands. They are very narrow/small. If I were going buy any NOE molds with the intention of using them in 9mm I'd go for the 360-150 RN.

The problem with 147 grain bullets and other heavy bullets isn't just the weight. The biggest problem is the extra case capacity that they fill. You can have the largest hollow point imaginable but if the bullet is seated too deep changes the pressures dramatically.

I have used the Hi-Tek 356-135 FN in both 9mm and 38 special. This is a 9mm mold and when powder coated it bumps the diameter up enough so that it can be used in 38 special.

LBass,
as reddog81 says, "That design is quite different from your average mold - look at the length of the drive bands. They are very narrow/small." ...and those shallow lube grooves, depending on what actual size the boolits drop at, I'd worry about sizing it down a lot and having those grooves get too shallow, and actually, they look too shallow for my taste, right in the drawing. And the boolit looks long for a 9mm luger cartridge, I'd worry about reducing case capacity...as there ain't much to begin with, with the 9.

Sometimes a dual purpose boolit mold, "may" be adequate for two very different cartridges, but not real good for either one. I Have the NOE 358-128-SWC and it works real well in 9mm luger, and quite well for light/plinker loads in 38spl...and probably pretty good for 357mag loads, if you cast them in a hard alloy.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/images/N.O.E._Bullet_Moulds_358-128-SWC_(PB)_Cust.Jpg

Lastly, why do you want a HP mold? ...and dang, that Bulldog has one of the deepest HP's I've ever seen...it'll be a bugger to cast, I bet? If you are fairly new to casting, I'd strongly suggest a well know reliable boolit design, so you are given a greater chance at success.

[gwpercle]

The dual purpose , 38 special / 357 magnum / 9 mm, NOE mould that has worked out much better than I ever expected is the NOE 358 - 124 - TC (GC). It drops at .358 , a trip through the .358 sizer die and I have an extremely accurate bullet for .357 magnum loads, with GC you can use a soft alloy. 38 special - omit the GC.

For 9 mm , I size them .357 , use the GC and load to over 1000 fps with that same softish alloy.
All with no leading. I didn't buy the mould with that in mind, it just worked out.
Gary

[Tackleberry41]

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_293&osCsid=ls7fjqnoc6q1pui0vopii0t2g3

Thats what I use in 38/357 and 9mm. Also works in my 357 sig.

[LBass]

I found the 135gr in the inventory run section, I think I'll give that a go. I've seen the Lee 358-125RNFP mentioned alot on the forum, For the price I may pick it up as well. Thank you.

[tomf52]

I found the 135gr in the inventory run section, I think I'll give that a go. I've seen the Lee 358-125RNFP mentioned alot on the forum, For the price I may pick it up as well. Thank you.

The Lee 125 RNFP is what I have been using in 38/357/9mm for years. Works great. Lee 105 SWC also.

[tazman]

The NOE 358-155-tc(elco)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?278539-Elco-tc-hp/page3
That is a link to just one of the threads covering this boolit. It is very useful in both 9mm and 38/357. It is very accurate in both cartridges. There is some load data listed for that boolit in the thread as well as pictures of it's accuracy.
If you would like a lighter boolit then try the NOE 358-135-FN. It is also excellent in both cartridges.

[boho]

I use the NOE 359242 121 gr for both calibers. Size .357 for 9mm and .358 for .38. Great results!

[Ed_Shot]

I use the NOE 359242 121 gr for both calibers. Size .357 for 9mm and .358 for .38. Great results!

+1 for the NOE 359242 (121 gr). I use the older Lyman/Ideal 358242 (121 gr.) which casts @ .360+. I size all 9MM and .38/.357 to .358. The 358242 is superbly accurate in both 9MM and 38/357.

[Screwbolts]

IMHO, As soon as 9mm is mentioned I think of how important it is to use a boolit that is designed properly for loading the high pressure small capacity case. I find that seating depth is critical to keep pressures down in 9mms. This bullet from Arsenal or the very similar from NOE work well in both my 9mms and 38s. They both cast .359 or larger depending on the alloy in my pot. Notice the short shank of boolit to allow minimum space taken up when seated to feed in all short throat 9mms.

I also size at .358 or .359, depending on die in Star. All of my 9mms feed .359 boolitz without a hitch.

Arsenal molds: http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=137&limit=100

NOE Molds: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=34_256&products_id=334&osCsid=4ug1sbdqtag6u2jdqtepik8uq2

I Just saw that there is an active group buy for this Mihec boolit in 8 cavity aluminum:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?331812-MiHec-359-135-FP-Solid-8-Cav-Aluminum-6-Cav-Brass

[Petrol & Powder]

While a lot of 9mm pistols will use a cast bullet larger than .355" and can therefore often share bullets with 38/357 types, there's more at play than just diameter. Revolvers will tolerate different bullet profiles but pistols can be a bit more picky.

The major problem I have with casting for 9mm are inconsistent barrel dimensions. I have a lot of 9mm pistols but they're all over the map in terms bore & groove diameters. My revolvers are fairly consistent and will share bullets with little problem but the 9mm's are far more fussy. The odds of one bullet working well in your particular 9mm pistol(s) & 38 Revolver(s); are likely to be pretty slim. You might get lucky and find a bullet that works in both with just a little sizing adjustment but I doubt it.

I'm with Jon B in Glencoe = it's probably going to be a compromise and not likely to be a good compromise. I also agree that the hollowpoint is going to be a PITA to cast and doesn't need to be that deep.

I'll also second reddog81, his comments are on point.

I'm NOT a fan of heavy 9mm bullets. They reduce case capacity when seated deep enough to function in some pistols, increase slide velocity (and wear) and generally don't shoot as well as the 115-125 grain bullets [YMMV]. The 147 grain 9mm bullet was designed to be subsonic and that's about it's only claim to fame.

[jamesp81]

Been thinking I could use a quality mold like this one from NOE http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_299&products_id=2282&osCsid=ls7fjqnoc6q1pui0vopii0t2g3
I feel like this could be a good bullet with flat or hollow point in 38 special, or 357, but can I size them down a few thousandths and expect them to work fine in 9mm. I'll like to be able to share the mold, with the hollow point it should weigh less than factory 147gr ammo. Just a bit worried about it feeding in a semi-auto.

Anyone have a reason this wouldn't work? I have a Lyman 450 now that I think can handle the size difference.

Thanks, Lonnie

It can work. Ballistically they'd come out similar to 147gr 9mm cartridges, but the issue here is not weight, it's length. The bullet's profile is for a bullet slightly heavier than 147gr. That means there's a chance it's longer than your average 147gr bullet. If it is, you run into two issues. First, when you restrict internal volume significantly in a high pressure cartridge like 9mm, getting into an overpressure situation can happen fast and easily. Doubly true if you're using fast burning powders. Second, if the base of the bullet gets down into the case web, it might swage the bullet down so it's undersized, and then you'll get leading.

As far as it feeding in a semi auto, there's no way to know without trying. You might try shooting some factory TC style bullets through the gun in question and see if it feeds them. That ought to give you at least an idea.

[MT Gianni]

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=34_370&products_id=445&osCsid=ls7fjqnoc6q1pui0vopii0t2g3
The 135 will take care of the 9 and should cast fat enough for a 38. I prefer bullets with a crimp groove for any thing over 1000 fps so sedate 38 loads will work fine.

[Screwbolts]

IMHO, Yes, The above NOE boolit would work. I still prefer the 130-135 grain Boolitz listed in post 18 because they are designed to seat shallower than the Boolit listed in post 21.

In the Speer manuals they state in the description of 9mm, that a change in bullet seating depth of .030 can increase the pressure from 32k to 62 K in 9mm cases.

The boolit in post 21 has a .320 long shank to seat in the real short 9mm case. the boolitz I linked to have shanks of approximately .250 leaving you with .060+ more case capacity to keep pressure down and primers from flattening. All the boolitz in post 18 have a shoulder at the end of the base shank allowing a crimp if so desired in 38 spec.

Yes , If the 9mm barrel you have has a long throat the boolit in #21 can be seated long. many 9mms have a very short throat making you seat the boolit deep, taking up valuble case space and raising the pressure very fast, flattening the primers and even causing them to flow into the firing pin hole.

[Boolseye]

There are any number of boolits that will cross over from 9mm to .38/357 or vice-versa.
i agree that the OP's boolit suggestion has a unique profile. Does anybody know what it was designed for? It almost seems as though it would be best for .38/.357 with all that bearing surface and short nose. Probably decent in .357 SIG too. Less great in 9mm Luger is my guess, too much boolit in the case.

NOE 358-135 RF, Lee 358-105swc, Lee 356-120 TC, Lee 358-125 RF are all contenders for this niche.

[pipehand]

That "Bulldog" boolit reminds me of Veral Smith's QB style intended to be cast in pure lead, the minimal driving bands cause very little resistance to engraving. In closed breech pistols, not much more than a primer was needed to launch. The other use may be along the same lines, but for high powered airgun use. I wonder if there is a PCP rifle in 9mm/357 bore size called "Bulldog".

[Boolseye]

I wonder if there is a PCP rifle in 9mm/357 bore size called "Bulldog". you nailed it