Lee 125gr RN, 124gr TC and 158 RF in 9mm Luger with Unique

[swisscast]

New to casting I think I’ve learned a lot at this forum and I’d like to share some of my humble results with you. This is my first post and English is not my native language, so I apologize in advance for any gross errors made (and not corrected by the spell checker ;)). Having a metallurgical background I’ve always wanted to cast my own bullets, but lacked the time and equipment to do so. Last year I’ve finally invested in some basic equipment and started my first project in 9mm Luger.

I was looking for a low cost load working in my SIG 210, SIG 220 and Uzi Pistols. Reliability had top priority with reasonable accuracy as a second. Contrary to popular belief not all Swiss are top shots ;-). In my case I’m the factor limiting performance and not the pistols or loads used. I’ve chosen the Lee molds #90309, #90238 and #90303 for this test. Casting was done with scrap wheel weights. The water dropped bullets showed a HBN of 19 after a couple of days of age hardening. As cast bullet diameter and weight were the following:

• Lee #90309 (.356 / 125gr RN): .357 / 130gr
• Lee #90238 (.356 / 124gr TC): .356 / 126gr
• Lee #90303 (.358 / 158 RF): .359 /162gr


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_222174f19b830b5ea4.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3526)

Sizing down to .356 (probably too small as I think now) was done with a Lee sizer, a thin layer of LLA applied before and after using the “plastic bag method” described in numerous posts here. I’ve slugged the barrels of my pistols obtaining the following results:

• SIG 210: .358 (mirror surface bore)
• SIG 220: .357 (smooth surface bore)
• Uzi Pistol: .356 (rough surface bore)

For reloading I’ve used S&B cases and CCI small pistol primers. For propellant I’ve chosen Alliant Unique since I later want to load cast .45 ACP, 7.5x55 Swiss and 12ga 00 Buck / 1oz Lee Slugs as well with the same powder (any Unique pet loads for these calibers are welcomed).

Assuming them to be on the safe side – based on what I’ve found in the literature – and after dry testing uncharged samples for “feedability” in my guns the following loads were prepared for testing:

• Lee #90309 (.356 / 125gr RN): 4.0gr Unique, 1.15” OAL
• Lee #90238 (.356 / 124gr TC): 4.4gr Unique, 1.15” OAL
• Lee #90303 (.358 / 158 RF): 3.6gr Unique, 1.12” OAL
• Lee #90303 (.358 / 158 RF): 3. 2gr Unique, 1.09” OAL

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_222174f19b6e831e46.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3522)

Testing was done at 10 yards, 2x5 shots of each load fairly rapidly to test reliability, followed by five more carefully aimed shots, with the following results:

• Lee #90309, 4.0gr Unique, 1.15” OAL: worked flawlessly in all three guns
• Lee #90238, 4.4gr Unique, 1.15” OAL: worked flawlessly in the SIG 220 and Uzi, 2 out of 15 failures to close the SIG 210 slide completely
• Lee #90303, 3.6gr Unique, 1.12” OAL: worked flawlessly in the SIG 220 and Uzi, fails consistently to close the SIG 210 slide completely
• Lee #90303, 3. 2gr Unique, 1.09” OAL: worked flawlessly in all three guns

None of the cases showed any signs of overpressure on the primers. The cases are clean, without any sooth on the outside. Felt recoil was not different from 125gr FMJ factory rounds. The handloads were however producing considerably more smoke, probably due to the LLA and/or Unique propellant. “Precision” achieved by me was the same for all loads – minute of beer coaster at 10 yards – that’s what I’m usually capable of with factory rounds. Below the pictures with the 5 shots 158RF/3. 2gr Unique/1.09” OAL load:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_222174f19b6ff523fa.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3523) http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_222174f19b70ea19e5.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3524) http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_222174f19b72058d4f.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3525)

Cleaning after 50 cast rounds showed no leading at all in the SIG 220, a little bit of lead in the SIG 210 and streaks of lead in the Uzi barrel. In fact I’m writing this post while cleaning the Uzi barrel and waiting for the solvent to do its job...

I’ll continue work on the 158RF/3. 2gr Unique/1.09” OAL load, since it seems to work properly, uses the least amount of powder (I’m tight ;-)), makes nice holes in paper and looks somehow mean. The next samples will be sized to .357 and .358 in order to solve the leading problem in the Uzi. I’ll try to do a test at 25 yards next time with some kind of rest to get more significant results and stabilize my shaking hands. In any case I’m very pleased with the results of my first casting test and would like to thank all of you who have contributed their knowledge to get newbies like me started. Of course any comments and suggestions are highly welcomed. Take care!

[MT Gianni]

Glad that it is working out for you. I do a lot better @ 25 yards with my wrists over sandbags. You might try to tailor a load for each gun then see what load might be acceptable in all 3. Great project, nice pictures and welcome to the forum.

[Shiloh]

I'm surprised that a 9mm sized at .356 works that well.
.357 works well, and .358 a bit better. The #90309 is the only one of my 3 9mm molds that drop big enough to work. My 90238 is woefully undersized.

Im using 5.6 gr. of AA #5. Cycles and good accuracy.

Shiloh

[9.3X62AL]

I also prefer boolits sized at .357"-.358" for the P-226 and P-228 I shoot.

Is the P-220 still available in Switzerland in 9mm? It is only imported or assembled in 45 ACP here in the USA. A P-220 in 30 Luger would be a joy to own and shoot.

Your command of written English is excellent.

[canyon-ghost]

Unique isn't necessarily smoky. I've been using Carnuba Red from a Lyman 4500 with heat. It's tolerable as far as smoke goes. If there is any breeze at all, even slightly, I don't notice any smoke at all in the 44 special or 41 mag.

My 9mm is a Lyman Devastator, Carnuba Red and Bullseye, no smoke there either.

[swisscast]

I'm also pleasantly surprised about the lack of leading of the .356 sized bullets in the P220 with a .357 barrel. Due to the leading in the Uzi (.356 barrel) I'll do the next test with #90303 bullets sized .357 and .358, if I get these to chamber at all.

9x19mm P220s with "European Stile" mag release are abundant in Switzerland. Called "Pist 75 / P75" it's still the standard side arm of the military service. According to the government website by the end of January 2011 29'105 P75s were issued to active service members, 92'641 P75s given to service member after completing their service and 1'217 P75s lent, usually to target shooters. A P75 in good condition costs about $400, however I'd much prefer to have another one in .45 ACP - but these are difficult to find in Switzerland and considerably more expensive.

[mag44uk]

What a great write up!
Your English is better than a lot of my friends here in the UK!
FWIW I would measure the diameter of your 3 bullets as cast.
Yoy may find that all you have to do is Alox them and dispense with sizing.
I had a lovely Steyr GB pistol in 9mm when we had hand guns.
It shot cast very well out of its polygonal rifling.
Good luck with your endeavours.
Tony

[whopist]

Excellent post! You are doing fantastic.

I think you figured out the heavy flat nosed load needed to be a little shorter to feed properly. Now apply the same thing to the TC load. Make it shorter and reduce the powder also.

Seating the flatnosed boolits' assembled length a little shorter will allow it to feed better and properly seat in the chamber.

I think you will enjoy the lighter TC, and save on lead and powder.

Welcome to CastBoolits!
Good Luck

[Ruckmanite]

I am a complete noob too and just started casting a few weeks ago, so I have a dumb question. I have the Lee 90464 and I am casting for my wife's Sig 250 which slugs at .356. My question is, since this is a .356 mold, and I need .357 or .358, do I need to purchase a .358 mold to be able to size to .357? Since the mold I have is a .356 sizing it to .357 is impossible right?

[whopist]

Don't worry!
Be happy!

Shoot your existing boolit. Let your guns tell you if you need a larger diameter.

If you are sizing your boolits and wont to try a larger diameter; then, shoot them "as cast".

Always be on the look out for chambering issues when experimenting with larger boolit diameters.


Good Luck!