Lee 358-125-RF in 9mm?

[arlon]

Has anyone squeezed this down to run in a 9mm? I have a Smith&Wesson that was a 356TSW but I got a 9x19 Briley barrel for it. Super accurate pistol but I'd like to try running some light power lead loads in it (have an 8lb spring I can try). The 125-RF looks like it would feed and run well in the 9mm. Just looking for anyone that has actually done this.

Looks like it would be a good all around plinking bullet in the 38/357s bit if it will squeeze to 9mm, it would be a no brainer to pick one of these moulds up.

[6622729]

I think you are combining specifications. The 358 diameter is 158gr while the 356 is 125gr. Which one are you talking about?

Has anyone squeezed this down to run in a 9mm? I have a Smith&Wesson that was a 356TSW but I got a 9x19 Briley barrel for it. Super accurate pistol but I'd like to try running some light power lead loads in it (have an 8lb spring I can try). The 125-RF looks like it would feed and run well in the 9mm. Just looking for anyone that has actually done this.

Looks like it would be a good all around plinking bullet in the 38/357s bit if it will squeeze to 9mm, it would be a no brainer to pick one of these moulds up.

[reddog81]

It can be sized appropriately. Many people size 9mm to .357. It's a fairly common mold to use for 9mm. It's my choice over any of the other Lee designs. The biggest issue is that you have to use a kind of short OAL. Usually it won't work until seated around 1.06 to 1.08.

[tazman]

It can be sized appropriately. Many people size 9mm to .357. It's a fairly common mold to use for 9mm. It's my choice over any of the other Lee designs. The biggest issue is that you have to use a kind of short OAL. Usually it won't work until seated around 1.06 to 1.08.

Correct. I didn't get as good accuracy with that boolit so I used a different one. It does work and quite well in some pistols.

[Bookworm]

I use the 358-125RF, sized to .358, in the 3 different 9mm handguns that I own. No 'squeezing down' needed.

To get it to chamber in all, I have to load to 1.050 OAL. No problems feeding, and I get very good accuracy from it with no leading.

Because of the short OAL, consideration must be given to the charge weight. A reduced case capacity due to seating the boolit so deep can result in high pressures, especially in such a small case as the 9x19.

I used a chrono to help with load development.

[6622729]

You are saying yes but is he talking about the 125gr or the 158gr? Does one really shoot 158gr cast in 9mm? The OP is talking about Lee molds. So, he either means .356 at 125gr or he means the .358 diameter which is 158gr. He definitely cannot be talking about .358 at 125gr. Lee doesn't make that configuration.

It can be sized appropriately. Many people size 9mm to .357. It's a fairly common mold to use for 9mm. It's my choice over any of the other Lee designs. The biggest issue is that you have to use a kind of short OAL. Usually it won't work until seated around 1.06 to 1.08.

[jcren]

[Bookworm]

He definitely cannot be talking about .358 at 125gr. Lee doesn't make that configuration.

You are incorrect. 358-125RF. I've got one.

[jmort]

This is one of the most discussed 9mm bullets. There are a lot of threads either devoted to this bullet in 9mm or others where it is discussed as an option. I don't use it in 9mm, but many do. It will work at the right COAL

[wbrco]

My BHP MKIII slugs @ .3572 I was having problems with the 124 RF TL.
Tried this bullet last weekend, seated to the crimp groove ( which is about the same depth as the TL if you measure the 2).

Used Blue Dot and HS-6. Worked like a champ sized at .358 and tumble lubed with 45/45/10. Equal accuracy as with j-words.

Note that mine drop about 128gr with coww so I used 130gr load data.

Is it me, or does anybody else think this would make a great hollow point?

[BNE]

I use this one in 9mm very successfully.

[BNE]

[quote=

is it me, or does anybody else think this would make a great hollow point?[/quote]

YES!!!

I think HP molds does make this.

[arlon]

You are saying yes but is he talking about the 125gr or the 158gr? Does one really shoot 158gr cast in 9mm? The OP is talking about Lee molds. So, he either means .356 at 125gr or he means the .358 diameter which is 158gr. He definitely cannot be talking about .358 at 125gr. Lee doesn't make that configuration.

The lee mould I'm questioning is a 358 diameter 125 grain round flat nosed bullet. Mould number 358-125-rf. It is made for .38 special and .357 magnum according to their catalog. I was just looking at the shape and weight of this bullet and it looks like it might run nicely in a 9mm. I might even consider trying to trim some 9x23 cases to 9x21.6 (.356tsw) for room in the case and shoot in the 356tsw barrel. I never said anything about a 158 grain bullet. I have that mould but not interested in trying in 9x19.


http://leeprecision.com/6-cav-358-125-rf.html

[farmerjim]

I have 2 of the 6 cavity molds and use both when casting. This is my most used boolit. I powder coat or Hi-Tek it. I size to .357 and use it in all my 9mm. I size it .359 and use it in my 38sp, 357 mag, and 357 max. I am told that it works good in the .380. I will try it next time I am loading .380.
There are many threads on this boolit.

[runfiverun]

see posts #5 and #9.

[Moonie]

I actually don't like this boolit in 9mm as it must be loaded very deeply and to a rather short COL. I do have a Lee 120TC and an Accurate 147Y slick sided that I use in 9mm. On the flip side of this I have just started testing this boolit in 357Sig as it requires a short COL. I just got a new barrel today for my XD Subcompact mod.2 and loaded up a couple of dozen with AA #7 and they shot very well.

[arlon]

I didn't realize this one had been discussed as much as it has. Between here and some other stuff from google searches it just makes sense for me to try one of these moulds. From all I've read, if I don't like it in the 9mm, I will like in one of my 38/357s. I really appreciate all the feedback.

[yondering]

I actually don't like this boolit in 9mm as it must be loaded very deeply and to a rather short COL. I do have a Lee 120TC and an Accurate 147Y slick sided that I use in 9mm. On the flip side of this I have just started testing this boolit in 357Sig as it requires a short COL. I just got a new barrel today for my XD Subcompact mod.2 and loaded up a couple of dozen with AA #7 and they shot very well.

I didn't like it for a long time either, but then started shooting subsonic loads through a suppressor. That's when I realized this bullet is great for that, because the reduced case capacity makes for smaller powder charges, which can be quieter suppressed. I still don't like it much for general 9mm use though in faster loads.

For 357 Sig, if it's an option for you, consider boring/reaming the lube grooves out and powder coating it. That gives more surface area for the marginal 357 neck to hold on too. (I really wish Sig had designed that with a bit more neck, but that's a different topic.) The new-ish Lee 95-RF with the same treatment is another great 357 Sig bullet because of the short nose.

[GooseGestapo]

Very accurate from my 3 Performance Ctr 9's. Mine prefer a .357" sizing.
This is the best boolit from my Taurus PT99. It wants.358", same as my S&W Revolvers.
In the 9's I use 4.9gr of Hodgdon LongShot for 1,150fps.

[Moonie]

I didn't like it for a long time either, but then started shooting subsonic loads through a suppressor. That's when I realized this bullet is great for that, because the reduced case capacity makes for smaller powder charges, which can be quieter suppressed. I still don't like it much for general 9mm use though in faster loads.

For 357 Sig, if it's an option for you, consider boring/reaming the lube grooves out and powder coating it. That gives more surface area for the marginal 357 neck to hold on too. (I really wish Sig had designed that with a bit more neck, but that's a different topic.) The new-ish Lee 95-RF with the same treatment is another great 357 Sig bullet because of the short nose.

I like my Accurate Molds 147Y for subsonic in 9mm. I am powder coating this 125gr, before boring it out I'll get another custom mold from Accurate specifically for the 357 Sig, my 147Y has too long a nose to work in it.