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Thread: Using 38 boolits in a 9mm?

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Question Using 38 boolits in a 9mm?

    I have been experimenting by sizing my LRNFP, 125 grain 38 caliber cowboy boolits to .356 and loading them into my 9mm. They seem to run through my PT99 and 907 slim without any problems. Has anyone else tried this? If so, do you for see any problems? My lead mixture is pretty hard and I don't see any problem with leading at 1000 to 1100fps out of my 9mm.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Should not be a problem. A Ruger P89 I gave to my son actually had a .357" bore and shot .358" bullets much better than .356". Not unusual for a 9mm to have a large bore so you might want to slug yours to see if you need to size to .356"

  3. #3
    Moderator Emeritus


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    I've done it for years and it works fine.

    Hope this helps.

    Fred

  4. #4
    Boolit Master C A Plater's Avatar
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    I've done it both ways .38 in 9mm and 9mm in .38 sized accordingly. Never though twice about it. In the 9mm case, if they feed, then it's all good.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    timkelley's Avatar
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    All boolits for my 9mm and .357/38s get sized to .358.
    Thanx, Tim Kelley
    SFC US Army (Ret)
    NRA Life

    Still have noclue!

    "IN GOD WE TRUST"

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    heck i size 38 jacketed down to fit my nine's......

    works fine

    mike in co
    only accurate rifles are interesting

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by C A Plater View Post
    I've done it both ways .38 in 9mm and 9mm in .38 sized accordingly. Never though twice about it. In the 9mm case, if they feed, then it's all good.
    True. If it fits it can be fired.
    I have loaded Lee 105 gr swc in .380 acp and the wife has Hornady 90 gr jhp's in her 38 spl.

    Years ago I had a Desert eagle in .357 and loaded 115 gr 9mm pills up to 1800 fps. No pressure signs. It flowed the primmer cup (cci spm iirc) back and locked up my S&W 686.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Gunsmoke4570's Avatar
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    I've used 158gr LRNFP in one of my 38 Supers for a long time now. My shooting buddy also interchanges bullets between 38 and 9mm pretty regularly with no problems.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

    MtGun44's Avatar
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    Many 9mms are very unhappy with .355 or .356 diam boolits, yet work very well with .357 or
    .358. I'd try .357 first.

    Bill
    If it was easy, anybody could do it.

  10. #10
    Moderator Emeritus


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    The "problem" is probably increased accuracy.
    [The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

  11. #11
    Boolit Master


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    I'd recommend .357" diameter too. .38s in a 9mm are fine as long as you keep the weight down. When you start chunking 158 grainers out of it, velocities go down, pressures jump and you start having feeding problems./beagle
    diplomacy is being able to say, "nice doggie" until you find a big rock.....

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    actually there is a sub gun load shooting 158's...but that aint your everyday 9mm...


    mike in co
    only accurate rifles are interesting

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    Been shooting Lee's 105 gr SWC sized to .357 out of my 9mm's for years. Great results. Size it to .356 for use in my .380. Runs fine there also.
    Last edited by tomf52; 01-14-2011 at 05:11 PM. Reason: additional info.
    Lost in Penn's Woods.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
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HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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