LEE RNFP in 9mm Report

[Shiloh]

I have been working with my latest mold the LEE 125 gr. RNFP.

I have settled on .358 sizing
Seating depth 1.05
5.5 gr AA#5 averages 1004 fps
Standard deviation is 14.12
No signs of pressure at all, and not very much unburnt powder.
Adding the extra tenth gr. and seating a bit deeper helped a lot with unburnt powder.

I can keep them in the black on a 50' NRA from the bench, and most of them
in the black at 25 yards. I may try another 10th grain or two, but am more than
pleased with the results.

No leading with either Larsen's BAC or LLA lubing cut to about 3:2 LLA to Mineral Spirits.
Thanks to those of you who suggested this mold and gave advice.

Regards, Shiloh

[captaint]

Shiloh - Are you using the 358-125 mold or one of the 356's ?? I have recently had similar success with the RCBS 125 gr (had to beagle it to get them big enough). I've been using SR7625 and Red Dot. They both work. Got some loads from Ken Waters' book. enjoy Mike

[Shiloh]

Shiloh - Are you using the 358-125 mold or one of the 356's ?? I have recently had similar success with the RCBS 125 gr (had to beagle it to get them big enough). I've been using SR7625 and Red Dot. They both work. Got some loads from Ken Waters' book. enjoy Mike

It's the .358 125 gr. LEE RNFP. Mine drop at 129 grains.
been dropping out of the mold at .3593.

Next is to start playing with the .38/.357 cartridges.

Shiloh

[Thumbcocker]

Using same boolit in a BH convertible and a Glock 19 sized .358 with power pistol. Both love that boolit. Also load it in .357 brass over 5.5 of 231. Shoots good in revolvers and a Marlin. Very useful boolit and half the lead of a .44 Keith.

[Dutchman]

I have been working with my latest mold the LEE 125 gr. RNFP.

I have settled on .358 sizing
Seating depth 1.05
5.5 gr AA#5 averages 1004 fps
Standard deviation is 14.12
No signs of pressure at all, and not very much unburnt powder.
Adding the extra tenth gr. and seating a bit deeper helped a lot with unburnt powder.

I can keep them in the black on a 50' NRA from the bench, and most of them
in the black at 25 yards. I may try another 10th grain or two, but am more than
pleased with the results.

No leading with either Larsen's BAC or LLA lubing cut to about 3:2 LLA to Mineral Spirits.
Thanks to those of you who suggested this mold and gave advice.

Regards, Shiloh


In gathering data and making notes....

Lee does not show a RNFP. They show a 358-125-RF ? I'm assuming this is the one you're talking about, yes? I'd rather not assume.

Crimp? Taper or roll? That particular Lee 358-125-RF has a nice crimping groove.. so I have to wonder about your crimp.

And the type of gun and caliber? There are numerous 9mm calibers: 9x17 Browning Long (aka Kurz), 9x18 Makarov, 9x19 Parabellum/Luger, 9x20 Browning Long, 9x21, 9x23 Bergman-Bayard (aka Largo). I would probably rule out 9x17 or 9x18 with that weight bullet. And there are a couple/few revolvers that shoot 9x19mm...

My only 9x19 handgun is a P.08 Luger so I'm interested in how this Lee 358-125-RF fed in whatever handgun you shot it in.

mucho thanko
Dutch

[Wal']

I have been working with my latest mold the LEE 125 gr. RNFP.

I have settled on .358 sizing
Seating depth 1.05
5.5 gr AA#5 averages 1004 fps
Standard deviation is 14.12
No signs of pressure at all, and not very much unburnt powder.
Adding the extra tenth gr. and seating a bit deeper helped a lot with unburnt powder.

I can keep them in the black on a 50' NRA from the bench, and most of them
in the black at 25 yards. I may try another 10th grain or two, but am more than
pleased with the results.

No leading with either Larsen's BAC or LLA lubing cut to about 3:2 LLA to Mineral Spirits.
Thanks to those of you who suggested this mold and gave advice.

Regards, Shiloh

+1 :bigsmyl2: Thanks, just bought the same mold, gives me a good reference & starting point. :cbpour:

[Shiloh]

In gathering data and making notes....

Lee does not show a RNFP. They show a 358-125-RF ? I'm assuming this is the one you're talking about, yes? I'd rather not assume.


Crimp? Taper or roll? That particular Lee 358-125-RF has a nice crimping groove.. so I have to wonder about your crimp.

My only 9x19 handgun is a P.08 Luger so I'm interested in how this Lee 358-125-RF fed in whatever handgun you shot it in.

mucho thanko
Dutch

1) Yes
2) Taper crimp. Close the bell and then a bit more. I didn't measure it yet.
3) 9x19 No feeding issues at all.

Shiloh

[sig2009]

I have been working with my latest mold the LEE 125 gr. RNFP.

I have settled on .358 sizing
Seating depth 1.05
5.5 gr AA#5 averages 1004 fps
Standard deviation is 14.12
No signs of pressure at all, and not very much unburnt powder.
Adding the extra tenth gr. and seating a bit deeper helped a lot with unburnt powder.

I can keep them in the black on a 50' NRA from the bench, and most of them
in the black at 25 yards. I may try another 10th grain or two, but am more than
pleased with the results.

No leading with either Larsen's BAC or LLA lubing cut to about 3:2 LLA to Mineral Spirits.
Thanks to those of you who suggested this mold and gave advice.

Regards, Shiloh

Only problem with this bullet is when they are loaded to 1.050 oal the crimp groove is exposed and it looks like ****! I have loaded dummys to 1.040 and the crimp groove is still exposed. If I loaded shorter to cover the crimp groove they will not chamber in any of my 9's.

[Shiloh]

Yes, about half or a little less of the crimp groove is exposed. To me it is a non issue if I can see a little of it. There is a bit lube in this area from the smear of seating. It is forced int the groove. If one were to drop them, it would be a great place for dirt to stick.

Other than that, it is a bit of pre-lube on the boolit as it starts it journey down the barrel.

Shiloh

[sig2009]

I may load some up and try!

[FergusonTO35]

I'm gonna have to give this one a try, I've long been an admirer of this style boolit and use it in my wheelguns.

[crabo]

I'm gonna have to give this one a try, I've long been an admirer of this style boolit and use it in my wheelguns.

I've used it in my 38 Super 1911.

[292]

Thanks Shiloh. I will soon start casting and loading for Wifey's M&P9c . Now I don't have to ask which mold.

[sig2009]

Well I loaded some of these in 38 spcl,sized to .358 with 4.5gns Bullseye shot out of a S&W 686 4" barrel and managed to get 4 grouped in a dime size at 25 yards from a rest. Am I happy with this mold! [smilie=w:

[Shiloh]

Well I loaded some of these in 38 spcl,sized to .358 with 4.5gns Bullseye shot out of a S&W 686 4" barrel and managed to get 4 grouped in a dime size at 25 yards from a rest. Am I happy with this mold! [smilie=w:

Nothing to complain about there!!

Gonna try about .005 deeper to see if I can eliminate the little bit of unburnt powder in the nine. If it works?? I leave it. If not, so be it. I can live with a few kernals of unburn't powder. After that experiment, It's time to switch over to the .38 then .357. I'm stoked about the versatility of this boolit.

Shiloh

[FergusonTO35]

Shiloh, I just ordered one of those molds. I'm going to use it in my 9's and .38's. What really sold me was your success with Accurate #5, its my favorite powder for these calibers. I'm also gonna try some Titegroup and Unique.

[Shiloh]

Shiloh, I just ordered one of those molds. I'm going to use it in my 9's and .38's. What really sold me was your success with Accurate #5, its my favorite powder for these calibers. I'm also gonna try some Titegroup and Unique.

AA#5 has worked VERY well for me and have used it for 20 years. This is with the 9mm's and .40's
This is with both jacketed and cast. Never really played much with AA#5 in the .38/357
or .45 ACP. Those are either Bullseye or Unique. 2400 for still .357 on those rare occasions when I want recoil and blast. Not very often.

Put 120 downrange yesterday. 25 at 50' to check again. Still in the black at this distance on the NRA B-2. There were a few fliers but that may be the shooter. There was a shot up black bull on the target.

The rest were at the plate range. They have the standard plates as well as some skinny upside-down Pesky Poppers on the reset bar. Had no issues at all with the mini poppers.
Had to take my time and am not able to smoke them like the plate. Aimed shots hit them every time.

I have a supply of Unique. Gonna try that as well.

Shiloh

[FergusonTO35]

Are you using the Lee .358 sizer? How are you applying the lube?

[Shiloh]

Used the LEE .358 sizer that sizes large, and then tumble lubed with LLA.
The ones I did the traditional way is a Lyman .358 sizer and Larsen's BAC.

No leading or issues with either.

Shiloh

[FergusonTO35]

Sweet, I already have the .358 sizer.

[alamogunr]

I've post in other threads about my use of the .358-125-RF in two Ruger P95's that I bought for my sons. I cast from a 2 cavity Lee, tumble lubed as cast and shot about 100 through each gun. No failures of any kind. Admittedly, the Rugers are known for feeding just about anything. No leading either.

I can't comment on accuracy since I'm not a good shot and wasn't familiar with these pistols, but I could hold it on a paper plate at about 15 yds.

[Shiloh]

With some ammo and trigger time, you'll find that the groups will get significantly smaller than that.

SHiloh

[alamogunr]

With some ammo and trigger time, you'll find that the groups will get significantly smaller than that.

SHiloh

I just came in from the shop. I'm working on the ammo part.

[Shiloh]

I just came in from the shop. I'm working on the ammo part.

Aim small, miss small.

Color in a 4" area and see how close you get, when that is mastered, go to a 3"
Remember the sequence. Steady, sight picture, press.

Shiloh

[alamogunr]

I wish it were that easy. Like many here, age has caught up with me in the sight department. I'll be 70 next month and I'm beginning to notice other things that don't work as well as they once did.

The range I use is a 70 mile round trip and instead of concentrating on one thing when I go, I try to cover a lot of bases and take several guns and ammo when I make the drive.

To stay on topic here, when I saw how well the .358-125-RF performed, I bought the 6 cavity mold. I can cast a pile at one sitting now.

[Shiloh]

I wish it were that easy. Like many here, age has caught up with me in the sight department. I'll be 70 next month and I'm beginning to notice other things that don't work as well as they once did.

The range I use is a 70 mile round trip and instead of concentrating on one thing when I go, I try to cover a lot of bases and take several guns and ammo when I make the drive.

To stay on topic here, when I saw how well the .358-125-RF performed, I bought the 6 cavity mold. I can cast a pile at one sitting now.

Yeah, eye deterioration is the berries. I have it as well and don't see rfle sight as well as I used to. I am right handed and left eye dominant. An issue with the rifle but not so much with the hand gun. I just use the dominant eye. THe closer bigger targets haelp as well

That is why I am shooting more hand gun. I have fired almost 500 rounds of the LEE 125 gr. RNFP. I am thrilled with this boolit. There are about 200+_ rounds of 9mm loaded up. I'll load up the rest of the batch from the last lot, then change to
.38, then try the .357. Its good to have a boolit that will be useful for both 9mm and .38's

You're right about the 6 banger mold. One can cast a mountain of keepers in a short while. WHen I get in the zone, I don't want to stop.

Shiloh

[flipajig]

I have been watching this thred for a while I shoot all three 38,357 and 9mm I have 2 Ruger P95 and a PC 9 and I'm interested in this Boolit.
What would it take for one of y'all to cast me a hundred or so I would like to lube and size them myself range pick up or w/w will work for me.
Pm me if y'all are interested.
Thank you
Flip

[Shiloh]

Mine ar currently sized lubed and ready to load for expeimentation Saturday.

[Fistybum]

Mine ar currently sized lubed and ready to load for expeimentation Saturday.;
Hey, could you post a picture of one of your rounds this boolit loaded up???

[FergusonTO35]

I made 100 of 'em tonight. Sized to .358 and pan lubed. I'll let them dry for a couple of days and then test drive in my P95 and .38 Special Service Six.

[Shiloh]

;
Hey, could you post a picture of one of your rounds this boolit loaded up???

Send a PM to remind me. I'll take the picture, the bride will have to download. The process is convoluted and makes no sense to me.

Shiloh