Casting for 9mm Luger carbine

[Tokarev]

When I was buying Beretta CX4 Storm in 9mm, the store clerk told me that I should not have attempted to cast as it would lead badly.
This particular gun has a heavy-contour extended to 19" chrome-moli barrel installed in place of stock 18" chrome-plated barrel.
Was the guy from the store right about leading or it was a nice try to sell me a case of 9 mil ammo?

:roll:

[docone31]

A lot of folks have only experience with factory lead reloads. My Star 9mm is real picky with factory. Only 115gn full metal jacket.
I now cast my own, and have yet to have a failure.
It is a question of sizing, and OAL to match the firearm.
I do not see why you would have an issue, once you find the correct sizing. I size my 9mm to .357. No leading, no jams, great accuracy.
I use the Lee 120gn truncated cone.
A great load.

[KYCaster]

When I had Marlin Camp Carbines I used nothing but lead in them. I've also seen plenty of lead used in Kel-tec, H&K, S&W and various other semi and full autos with no problems.

Jerry

[KYCaster]

When I had Marlin Camp Carbines I used nothing but lead in them. I've also seen plenty of lead used in Kel-tec, H&K, S&W and various other semi and full autos with no problems so I'd guess lead will work OK in your Beretta.

Jerry

[mike in co]

does it have some sort of gas system that might pick up lead. if so can the system be cleaned. that would be the only "issue" i can think of.

mike in co

[Tokarev]

No, it's blowback

[Larry Gibson]

I've shot lots of the Lee 358-120-TCand Lyman's 356402,358242 and 358477s through numerous 9mm subguns and carbines without a single problem other than never enough ammo. I still shoot all of them through my Spanish Destroyer in .38 Super. The clerk was blowin' smoke.

Larry Gibson

[Kuato]

My MPA Mac11 Loves the Lee 125gr TC,TL boolit. Great groups & no leading. As does my Keltec Sub9..

[Bigjohn]

Cast them a bit harder than WW if your going to run effective loads to operate the action.

John

[Bret4207]

He's full of it. Typical non-cast shooting store cerk. Ignore him and enjoy.

[GabbyM]

Worst case would be a gas checked bullet. 357 mags need checks to run full throttle in carbines but a 9mm isn't a 357 mag. Saeco makes #924 SWC_GC in 124 grain. I'd be shocked if a plain based bullet didn't work fine.

[Tokarev]

Cast them a bit harder than WW if your going to run effective loads to operate the action.

John

How much harder? Would 2% solder suffice?

[GrizzLeeBear]

Boolit fit in the bore is probably just as (if not more) important than hardness with the 9mm. A lot of 9mm bores run large, as much as .359 in some. Slug the bore and size the boolits to .001 larger. Shooting a .355 boolit in a .358 bore is a sure recipe for leading.
I used to have a Hi-point carbine and shot the Lee 356-120-TC sized .358 with no leading and very good accuracy, just could never get used to the 40 lb. trigger on the thing, so I traded it off.

[Tokarev]

Thanks for everyone who responded, this is very encouraging. I love casting, but only cast for the antique revolvers so far, with very rewarding results. Going to try some 9mil now!

What about weight? Should I use heavier bullets or light?
I shot 124 gr Hornady HAP and 124 gr Frontier RN and FP bullets, they printed 3" groups at 50 yards using Leupold CQB scope which has a fairly large dot which covers even larger area then the group. Would heavier bullets perform better in a long barreled carbine?

Are you saying that I should get 38 cal mould and size the bullets to whatever bore diameter+1/1000 instead of buying a 9 mil/.356 mold?
It does make sense to have a mold which would cast for both 38 and 9mil.

Also, Lee offers two kinds of molds: with their micro-bands and regular bands. Which is better for my application?

[Ben]

If you don't already own a lube sizer, the Lee micro band molds will allow you to size with a Lee Push thru sizer to 357 dia., coat them with Lee Alox Liquid, dry 24 hrs. and shoot them in your 9 mm carbine or later in your 38 Special.

Ben

[Bigjohn]

How much harder? Would 2% solder suffice?

Since I have a large quanity of Linotype laying around in the shed, that is what I use, but 2% solder should bring it up to about what is needed.

I have an RCBS 9mm mold for their GC 124gr RN boolit; which is on loan at the moment. And thats what I use normally. They work well in GLOCK's also.

John.