.38 Super bullets loaded for 9mm

[TWBryan]

Hi, components are getting scarce. This month I could not buy any 9mm bullets. So I bit the bullet, and ordered the mold and sizing die for 9mm. Problem is everyone's busy and it will be two weeks before those items ship.

Digging around in the drawer of many bullets I came across some 125 gr plated .38 super bullets, .357 diameter. I need to know if I could reload those into 9mm cases without anything catastrophic happening?

Thanks For Looking

[Jtarm]

Slug your bore & chamber (or measure with pin gauges if you’ve got em) and post the dimensions. Then someone might be able to answer.

[tazman]

What pistol/s are you loading for?

[ReloaderFred]

Work up your load and you'll be fine, as long as the rounds will chamber. The 9x19 brass is all over the place with wall thickness, so you may have to find what works by trial and error.

Of the 9x19 barrels I've slugged, I've found them from .356" to .358", and some 9x19 pistols actually shoot better with slightly larger bullets, but it will depend on your individual gun.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[TWBryan]

Okay guys the Gun in question is a S&W M&P compact model (the one that holds 15 rounds). I don't have any lead bullets to slug the barrel with. Loaded up 20 rounds to try using 4.2 grs Bullseye.

[BigAlofPa.]

Slug the bore with soft lead. Fishing sinker is a good way to slug the bore.

[Texas by God]

If the .357 bullet” is a slip fit in a fired 9mm brass from your gun it should be ok.

[tazman]

If the .357 bullet” is a slip fit in a fired 9mm brass from your gun it should be ok.

Excellent point and a good place to start.

[nwfdub]

As these are only plated you could make a pickle out of Water, hydrogen peroxide and sodium bi- sulfate (pool section at Wally world) that would remove the plating. Likely to bring you to .356.

Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk

[Sailormilan2]

So far, in the 2 different brands, and two different calibers, of aftermarket 9mm and 38 Super barrels that I have, all have slugged at .356. So, a .357 will be a perfect fit. The only barrels I have that come close to being the nominal .355 for 9mm are 2 9mm Rock Island barrels. Your problem with the Smith M&P is that Smith and Wesson uses a 5 groove barrel, and it is very difficult, next to impossible to take measurements with standard tools. I'm sure there is a way, but I am not aware of it.
A .357 plated slug is soft lead, and should have absolutely not problems in a .355 barrel. As long as it will chamber.