Anybody hand load 9mm Luger ?

[bcp477]

I am toying with the idea of hand loading for my 9mm pistols. Because of the velocity/ operating pressure of the 9mm Luger, cast bullets might well be problematic. I consider cast the only viable option for hand loading, because of the ridiculous cost of j-bullets.

I've been hand loading for almost 15 years, for rifle and 38 Special for my revolvers, so I am very familiar with the associated issues. I also loaded for 45 ACP briefly, when I had 45's. My only auto pistols now are both 9mm Luger.

So, I am wondering if anyone here hand loads 9mm....with cast ? If so, would you mind sharing your recipe ?

My theory is that, if I use a bullet on the heavy side, say around 147 grains....and load to velocities of 1000 fps or lower, with the slowest practical powder, that I might have a good chance of avoiding leading problems. I am also wondering if it is practical to use plain base boolits....of are GC'd ones vital ?


Thanks !!!

[27judge]

I used a lee mold plain base and unuiqe powder med load.Shot out of a ruger sp101 and a s&w mp 9mm compact . i probably loaded a couple thousand of these all shot at 7 to 15 yrds no problems
Used wheel weights for boolits no leading ,these were med loads, tks ken

[gunseller]

No reason a 9 should be a problem to load cast boolits. I load a 124 grain RN over Red Dot, not as accurate as I want, and Bullseye. The last shoots very well.
Steve

[Oyeboten]

I used to load for .38 ACP but I have not loaded for 9mm P-'08 yet.

I always used Lead Bullets of .357 or .358 diameter for .38 ACP, and, I never had any Leading. When I used 148 or 158 Grain, I kept the ZLoadings comfortable for the Pistol.

When I do get around to trying my Hand at the 9mm Luger/P-'08 Cartridge, I would not expect any Leading with Cast Bullets, provided the Bullet is of a diameter which is appropriate for the Bore, with respect to it's softness/hardness.

If the Bullet is too small, or too small and too hard, then one would expect Leading.

I myself, would likely use Bullets of 357 Diameter and Pure Lead, or even of .358 if lighter weight, for standard Velocities with 9mm P-'08. If 148 Grain, then maybe I'd keep it .357 knowing it will upset more than enough to fill the Bore well.

Jacketed Bullets are always a little smaller in diameter than Lead ones, for any given Arm.

[PS Paul]

9mm has a few "quirks" in loading/assembling that pose just a few challenges, I have discovered. I've loaded jacketed, plated and cast boolits, including some .358-sized 125 gr. that I load in .38 spl and .357 mag with good results after some playing around a little with seating depth, taper crimp adjustment and powders. All by trial and error, I just read an article written by Jim Taylor on lasc.us on the very subject of some of the issues and challenges I faced with the diminutive 9mm. As with any revolver or pistol, there are variances in chamber and barrel dimensions that should be determined in the pistols you shoot 'em in. Of course, the issue of shooting "cast in Glock pistols" brings a massive amount of differing opinions and warnings (ha-ha)! Just glance at the "cast in glock" sticky.....

I will see if I can find a link to the Jim Taylor article cuz I wished I had read it BEFORE I spent so much time and effort in trial and error. Oh well, just part of the pleasure of the learning experience and the fun of it all!!!

[Wal']

Strange question when everyones been loading 9mm's since day one. :kidding:

There has been volumes written on 9mm cast boolit loads, here & most reloading manuals.

My only suggestion would be to keep the 9mm traveling at about 1000 fps, personally I've found accuracy dropping off at anything lower.

And as usual with 9mm, slug & size your boolits accordingly.

[PS Paul]

http://www.lasc.us/TaylorSecrets9mm.htm Here is the link for the article. Hope this helps!! I found it informative....

[zxcvbob]

I bought a boatload of 135 grain 9mm LRN cast bullets back when they were cheap. I still have about 1000 left, so I haven't started casting my own yet. I load them hot using Bullseye (hotter than I'm comfortable sharing the load data) and my Hi-Power eats them like candy.

[0verkill]

It's already been said but it needs said again, SLUG THAT BARREL! I've yet to see a 9mm barrel that actually measures .355, even though one of my reloading manuals swears they all run more like .354. The only real problem you may run into is a .358" groove diameter and a chamber too tight to load bullets of the proper diameter.

[garym1a2]

120 GR TC with 4 gr of Bullseye.
120Gr TC with 4.5 of WSF.

[GBertolet]

I have had good luck in loading the 9mm. In my Hi-Power I use 4.0gr of Bullseye with the Lyman 356402 bullet weighing 125gr. I get 1100 fps, which is the basic factory 124gr velocity. I found that .356 - .357 diameter bullets seem to shoot best, regardless of the barrel bore diameter. Make sure your bullets are cast of a reasonably hard alloy, whether you make them or buy them. I don't see leading as a problem in the 9mm, unless your bullets are undersize, and or, too soft of an alloy. One other thing to keep in mind with loading the 9mm. Be sure the bullets are held securely in the cases by crimping. You don't have to over do it, but just make sure they stay put. The use of the larger diameter bullets help here also, by making a more snug fit in the case. If there is a loose crimp, the bullets can get pushed deeper in the case when they come up the feed ramp. Depending on how deep they get pushed back, pressures can rise significantly. The 9mm is especially susceptible to this.
These are some of the things I have learned on loading the 9mm. It's not hard to load for.

[375RUGER]

I am not a 9mm fan at all. That said, I have had excellent results using cast in a 9. It's the only caliber that I have never had to clean the lead out of the barrel. My cast loads have been shot in no fewer than a half dozen different pistols - lets see, 4 Rugers, 2 Firestars, 1 Hi Power and a Carbine I don't remember the make.

115g LRN, 3.75g 700-X

[bobthenailer]

Cast bullets sized to at least .357 dia and the TC nose profile or heaver TC,RN,SWC bullets heaver than 125 grs bullets are usually more accurate then the RN at 125 grs or less.

Powder in the med fast to med burning speed gives the best absulate accuracy , such as WSF, Power Pistol , and HS6 powders. the faster powders will work just not quite as accurate FME.

For the best accuracy use the same lot# of brass if not possible? at least the same brand for a given load . Mixing brands is a sure way to get sub par accuracy.

Another step for a little better accuracy is to first Full Length Size the brass & then ck length of the case , they will lengthen some after sizing , sort by case length, keep the ones that are at .750 or slightly longer for the absulate best accuracy.

And only lightly crimp the bullet!
These are my findings after loading for 3, 9MM & 2, 38 super pistols with 5 different styles of cast bullets.

[Wally]

Have a Taurus 99AF. I loaded up a modest load 3.5 Grains or Red Dot and a Lee 120 TC bullet--tried sized at .357", .358", & .359"...the barrel would lead/foul up very badly. Easy to clean out with a chore boy covered brush. I slugged the barrel. .3555". Shot the same ammo in the Ruger 9mm Blackhawk...sized to .357" (so it would chamber)...no appreciable leading? Bullets are WW quenched from the mold. Tried different bullet lubes...made no difference. It would appear this is one caliber than one is better off using jacketed bullets. However I also have a Taurus 101 (40 S & W) that is the same as the 99AF...just a different barrel...it does not lead up on me.

[9.3X62AL]

The 9mm acts like a rifle--high pressure, fast twist rate, medium-fast velocity. So, treat it like a rifle when loading cast boolits.

1) size boolits to throat diameter

2) use fairly hard alloy

3) use fairly soft lubes

DO NOT taper-crimp firmly--just turn in the case mouth flare, and do this as a seperate die step after seating the boolit.

[KCSO]

Ya I do!

[PS Paul]

A lot of pretty good info on the thread already. I have struggled with the crimp, playing around with medium to heavy taper-crimps to ensure the boolit does not get driven back into the case causing a rupture. I have read in several different manuals and articles that a simple deeper seating of just .020 can increase pressures as much as 10,000 CUP!! Subsequently, I have found different pistols require different crimps, but ALL of them I've loaded have been enough to prevent the deeper-seating issue (pounded deeper in the case while cartridges are in the magazine during firing) from occuring.

So, I'm branching out to dry some powders that are a slower-burn-rate than bullseye or red dot. Anyone out there have a pet load they've worked up with Unique or Green Dot??

[UBER7MM]

PS Paul,

You might try HS-6. It's slower than Unique or Green Dot. A medium load is very pleasant in the Parabellum.

[PS Paul]

Thanks, Uber. You know, I've seen MANY recipes with HS-6 over the years, but I have never used it. I enjoy trying out different recipes and loads (part of the fun all to itself, outside of just shooting). However, it looks like it is appropriate for a lot of the calibers I load, so I think I will take your advice and get some. Thankfully enough, I am in the rod and gun business, so it is less expensive for me to get components than most others who get to pay full retail. Hence I have many different powders to try and HS-6 is going to be the next I get after the weekend.

Thanks again for the tip!!
Paul

[zxcvbob]

WSF is another good powder for 9mm, but I haven't tried it with cast bullets yet. You can also use it in revolver cartridges by substituting it for Herco (works great with boolits there)

[dragon813gt]

It's already been said but it needs said again, SLUG THAT BARREL! I've yet to see a 9mm barrel that actually measures .355

My Walther PPS is .3550 :)
I use the same powders for cast as I do jacketed. W231/HP-38 for everything except 147grain. For that I use Universal. There are plenty of loads in the manuals and on the powder manufacturer's websites. Use that data instead of data posted by strangers on the Internet.



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[Ed in North Texas]

PS Paul,

You might try HS-6. It's slower than Unique or Green Dot. A medium load is very pleasant in the Parabellum.

I'm another one who appreciates that info. I've recently had to load for a P-08 and once more I unlearned things I learned a long time ago. I clearly remembered that back in my youth TC boolits were "the" boolit for the P-08. I don't load for my other 9mm pistols, but 147 gr HPs aren't exactly standard fare for the P-08, so I set forth to load for the Luger. Needless to say the TC was not what it wanted and feeding problems followed. Switched to Lee RN and it likes those. I'll give HS-6 a try as soon as I can get some.

Ed

[UBER7MM]

I'm another one who appreciates that info. I've recently had to load for a P-08 and once more I unlearned things I learned a long time ago. I clearly remembered that back in my youth TC boolits were "the" boolit for the P-08. I don't load for my other 9mm pistols, but 147 gr HPs aren't exactly standard fare for the P-08, so I set forth to load for the Luger. Needless to say the TC was not what it wanted and feeding problems followed. Switched to Lee RN and it likes those. I'll give HS-6 a try as soon as I can get some.

Ed

Funny that you'd mention that about feeding problems in the P-08. The angle of the magazine, grip and ramp tend to be incompatible with TC boolits. An expensive lesson in Lyman 356402 molds.

IMHO, for a cast target load, starting with published data, work HS-6 loads down in experimental batches until the load won't cycle the action. Then back up again a grain or two. IIRC, the end result was more than the published minimum in the test pistol, but not by much. Your results may vary.

Real pleasant and accurate combos, and the spent cases all land together. (Assuming you stay in the same place.)

Good shooting,

[oldreloader]

I load 125 and 147gr lead from Missouri Bullet Co,Friendswood Bullets, and ZCazt. I've loaded RN,TC,and SWC styles in 125 gr and FP in 147gr. Midrange loads with AA #5 & 7,Bullseye,and HP38 all work great.

[Shiloh]

9mm was the hardest caliber for me to get running. My experience is that most 9mm molds drop undersize. I have two that work, and they work very well.

I size to .358.
I use the LEE 125 gr. 2R and the LEE 125 gr. RF. Both give superb results.
The 125 gr RF works equally well in .38 and .357.

Shiloh

[Ed in North Texas]

Funny that you'd mention that about feeding problems in the P-08. The angle of the magazine, grip and ramp tend to be incompatible with TC boolits. An expensive lesson in Lyman 356402 molds.

IMHO, for a cast target load, starting with published data, work HS-6 loads down in experimental batches until the load won't cycle the action. Then back up again a grain or two. IIRC, the end result was more than the published minimum in the test pistol, but not by much. Your results may vary.

Real pleasant and accurate combos, and the spent cases all land together. (Assuming you stay in the same place.)

Good shooting,

Thanks for the added info. I guess my recollection (re: TC boolits) from 5+ decades ago wasn't so good. Speaking of good, good picture of the Grable shot for your Avatar, but isn't it reversed?. That particular M-65 resides on "Artillery Walk" at the Ft. Sill Museum.

Ed

[trapper9260]

I load and cast my own that is from lyman that are 120 and 125HP and 147 that I can also use in my 38spl and 357 .I have no problem with them I mix my own alloy .They are also PB .I use Unique

[bob208]

i have a rcbs 124 gr. tc bullet that i cast and use in my luger and browning hipower. also use that bullet in 9mm largo in a star and an astra. also feed them to a distoyer carbine.

[UBER7MM]

Ed,

You are correct. My avatar is the M-65 280mm cannon, "Atomic Annie" in the Nevada desert, May 25, 1953. 15 Kton blast. You are correct about the photo too, it's reversed.

It's my backup piece. Hard to conseal, though.....

[canyon-ghost]

I loaded 9mm with the Lyman Devastator, 125 grain bevel base and 3.2 grains of Bullseye. That's a light load because when fired in my TC Contender with a 1 in 12 twist it had about the same recoil as factory.

In the S&W 5906 with it's 1 in 18.35 twist, it's a very soft load. It didn't lead either.
A hollowpoint is almost worthless unless you go to pure lead, with wheelweight it doesnt expand.

It's said that the little case size causes 9mm to build pressure rapidly, this is a common caution in Speer #13. So, work up slowly and don't seat bullets too deeply.

Never had a problem with it.

Good Luck,
Ron

[FergusonTO35]

Sizing is everything in the 9. I find 357 works best in my Sig and two Rugers. Also, I've had the best luck with boolits having conventional lube grooves rather than tumble or surface lube. I use 5.6 grains Accurate #5 under a 125 grain flat point with excellent accuracy.

[Wally]

Sizing is everything in the 9. I find 357 works best in my Sig and two Rugers. Also, I've had the best luck with boolits having conventional lube grooves rather than tumble or surface lube. I use 5.6 grains Accurate #5 under a 125 grain flat point with excellent accuracy.

I tried an experiment in my Taurus 99AF that leads up very badly using cast bullets. The barrel slugs to .355" I've tried bullets sized top .357/.358/.359" at 1,000-1,100 FPS and it still leads up on me. I have used soft and hard alloy..makes no difference. Tried six different bullet types..makes no difference. Thankfully it is not difficult to clean out--using a brush coated with Chore Boy..a few passes and it is clean again. Lubes---used the 50/50 NRA Alox-Beeswax and others..makes no difference. Powders---Unique/HP-38/W-231/Red Dot/Bullseye..makes no difference. Bullets used are conventional lubed bullets. I also shoot the .45 ACP and found that TL bullets don't lead up any more than conventional ones.

Of course I shoot my 9mm anyway---after a few clip-fulls I push the brush/choreboy through it and all is well. I ahve also tried another barrel--made no difference.

[Hogokansatsukan]

Here was a test I did a couple of years back in regards to the 9mm and cast.

A comparative analysis of velocity of cast 9mm ammo from M9 and CX4.

I loaded up 50 rounds of each of these cartridges.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1016912.jpg

I decided to use the same alloy, same powder, same lube, etc. for the test. The rounds were loaded to pistol specs.

All rounds were cast from a special lead alloy mix, similar to wheel weight lead.
All rounds were sized to .356 and lubed with Thompsons Blue Angel Lube.
Lead hardness was around 14 bhn.
Starline brass, Winchester small pistol primers, and Power Pistol powder was used.
10 round strings were used for each load in both M9 and CX4.
Accuracy test to come later.


This load data proved safe in my guns. Don’t try this at home. I’m a professional. Here… hold my beer and watch this…

Lyman 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #356242 9mm (356 Diameter) 90 Grain Round Nose (92 grain actual)
7.8 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.050
M9 1325 fps standard dev 37 359 ft/lbs
CX4 1675 fps standard dev 42 573 ft/lbs
Gain of 350fps and 214 ft/lbs

Lee Bullet Mold TL358-100-RF (Ranch Dog Outdoors Custom) 102 grain actual
7.0 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.010
M9 1316 fps standard dev 17 392 ft/lbs
CX4 1647 fps standard dev 13 614 ft/lbs
Gain of 331fps and 222 ft/lbs

Lee Bullet Mold TL356-124-2R 9mm Luger (124 grain actual)
6.6 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.095
M9 1240 fps standard dev 17 423 ft/lbs
CX4 1483 fps standard dev 22 606 ft/lbs
Gain of 243fps and 183 ft/lbs

Lee Bullet Mold 356-125-2R 9mm Luger (128 grain actual)
6.4 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.169
M9 1244 fps standard dev 30 440 ft/lbs
CX4 1484 fps standard dev 9 626 ft/lbs
Gain of 240fps and 186 ft/lbs

Lyman 1-Cavity Bullet Mold #356637 9mm (356 Diameter) 124 Grain Devastator Hollow Point Bevel Base(132 grain actual)
6.0 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.09
M9 1167 fps standard dev 20 399 ft/lbs
CX4 1402 fps standard dev 21 576 ft/lbs
Gain of 235fps and 177 ft/lbs

Lyman 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #356637 9mm (356 Diameter) 147 Grain Flat Nose Bevel Base (154 grain actual)
5.2 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.150
M9 1023 fps standard dev 31 358 ft/lbs
CX4 1214 fps standard dev 18 504 ft/lbs
Gain of 191fps and 146 ft/lbs

After this testing, I had Accurate Molds make me this:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/35-125R-D-2.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1016943.jpg

They drop at 125.6 grains. Then to add some fun to the mix, I checked them with Pat Marlins Checkmaker:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1017073.jpg

If you are not familiar with the checkmaker, it makes aluminum checks out of soda cans.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1016964.jpg

The total bullet weight with check and lube was 126.5 grains. The hardness of the lead was around 10 bhn, which is pretty soft for a 9mm and would normally lead a barrel badly, especially in the CX4 carbine.

I loaded 300 to test and hit the desert with my chrono, CX4, and PX4 SC.

I fired 50 rounds through the PX4. Accuracy was very good and the barrel had no lead in it at all. This pistol usually leaded badly even with hard lead as the barrel was never worn in with jacket nor was if fire lapped.

Now, the CX4, which with hard lead, got very little leading unless one was rapid firing and heating the barrel up good, got the other 250 rounds. The first 50 were a test of the bullets accuracy. They were some of the most accurate I have shot. The next 150 could only be considered a gross waste of ammunitions, as they were fired with 35 round magazines of which I have 6. They were rapid fire, and it only took a couple of minutes to spray the hill down, heating up the CX4 barrel to a good egg-cooking temp. The next 50 were then fired for accuracy. Accuracy had not changed. I field stripped and cleaned the CX4 and there was no lead in the barrel. These checks worked like a charm.

The chrono results were as follows:

CX4:
1455 fps 597 ft/lbs
Standard deviation was 18

PX4 SC
1076 fps 327 ft/lbs
Standard deviation was 7

I'm guessing they should run about 1225 fps out of a 5 inch M9.

Not being content to just let things go as they were, I had to fix what was not broken. I figured that the Freechex III would make checks a lot faster, so that involved yet another mold from Accurate Molds: 35-125s, which has a very large meplat for a 9mm of .28. This mold was for a .357 sig. I make the checks for this bullet out of litho plate, and it is fast.

The feed just fine through my M9, CX4, P89, but my 9mm Taurus PT1911 has some issues feeding them one in awhile.

This load is 6.4 Power Pistol, Win SPM primer, and assorted brass.
velocity:
M9 1247 fps
CS4 1493 fps

[superior]

My wife out-shot everyone in her CHL class, shooting the rounds I made for her. They were Lee TL124's over a moderate charge of Bullseye. After a classmate complained, the lady instructor made her finish the course with factory 147's. She had never seen Lee liquid alox on a boolit and thought they may not have been "safe" lol. The factory stuff was nowhere near as accurate. I've put several thousand cast rounds through my wife's pistolwith teriffic results. The Mrs. has since placed an order for more ammo and I'm looking forward to filling it.

The pistol is a Glock19.

[GaCop]

I get good results with 5 grains of Unique pushing a 125 gr lead RN. Velocity is averaging 1065fps on my chronograph.

[bruce drake]

Mixed cases with CCI SP primers loaded with 4.4gr of Unique and with a 126gr Lead RN (LEE RN Mold sized to 0.356) gave me 1102fps out of my FEG Hi-Power pistol with no leading.

[smkummer]

3.9-4.2 grains 700X with Lee's 125 TL RN bullet sized .356 in both my B92F and Colt All American. If my Lee power measure would accurately meter the charge I could rely on the 3.9 charge but it doesn't so I have to use the disk that says it drops 4.2 gains. Very little leading but some smoke with the Lee liquid lube. Wheel weight bullets are water dropped. My buddies glock shot them fine also with no leading at all.

I feel most 9mm handguns are easy ( I have never loaded for a Luger though) compaired to open bolt 9mm submachineguns. Now thats a challenge if you don't want leading.

[wcp4570]

I've loaded a very large number of the Lee 120tc sized .356 this year to ring steel at steel challenge and IDPA. Cast from ww and water dropped over 4.0gr Bullseye and 3.8gr titegroup. Both loads yield just under 1100fps. I did have leading at first until I got the size correct. the Dillon 650 wears the 9mm setup more than any other.

wcp

[jburris2001]

im gettin ready to load my first 9mm's. I have 124gn rn tumble lube. what would be a good powder to start with. Im thinking of going with 231/hp38. am going to pick some powder up tomorrow. whats everyones input

[ROGER4314]

I load cast bullets in 9x19, 9x18 Makarov and .380ACP and use Bullseye in all of them. There's nothing special about loading for any of the cartridges except that the Makarov uses a different bullet diameter. It's about .010" or so larger in diameter. I use the middle point of the Lyman reloading manual loads. The Lyman manual is the most conservative of the 19 or so manuals that I own.

I use 115 grain bullets in the 9x19.

Bullseye is a fast powder and smokes a bit more than it used to but when your loads require just 3-4 grains of powder, it lasts forever!

Flash

[Indybear]

The wife has put over 10,000 Lee 105 SWC, sized .358, 45/45/10 or Darr, Unique or Universal and WSP down range out of a S&W 915. They look ugly when loaded but they punch a great hole and work just as well in 38/357. We have a new SR9 that does not like them but I'm still working on it.

The key is always fit and OAL is extremely important in a 9mm. Unless you a one of the lucky few and have a .355 sized barrel stay away from the tumble lube designs or anything .356 or less unless you like cleaning up leading....

[bcp477]

Interestingly enough, I JUST did post on another thread about my first outing with cast boolits in my 9mm's. I tried BOTH 0.356" and 0.357" plus boolits......and got NO leading whatsoever, with either. So, it seems that I might be one of the "lucky few" with 0.355" barrel(s).

By the way, I tested my cast loads in two different pistols.....my Stoeger Cougar and my Sig Sauer P250. Both had NO leading - so I guess I lucked out TWICE. I opted to NOT slug my barrels, but to go ahead and test fire the loads.

I also found that, in early testing with "dummy" loads, boolits of 0.358" diameter will NOT chamber in my Sig Sauer....but WILL in my Stoeger. They also WILL chamber in my other 9mm, an S&W 3rd generation pistol. But, my testing (at least, so far) indicates that 0.356" pills will probably be large enough. I may well just use 0.357" dia. ones though, as I can also shoot those in my 38 Spl revolver (a 1980's S&W).....which has a barrel slightly tighter than 0.357" (it does just fine with 0.357" dia. cast boolits).

As for loads, I used HP38, as I do for J-word 9mm loads. 3.6, 3.8 and 4.0 grains tried, with COL at 1.12" for all. 4.0 grains was the best all 'round....and shot nearly to POA (only about 1/2" or so, low, but dead centre). 4.0 produced 2" or smaller groups @ 10 yards. My normal load with J-words is 4.8 grains of HP38, under a 124 grain HP (for SD).....or a 115 grain FMJ (for targets)....COL about 1.10" - both shoot superbly from my pistols. So, I will take my 4.0 grain cast load and "push" it a bit. I will try 4.2 and 4.4 grains....and perhaps 4.6.....with the same 0.356" and 0.357" plus boolits.

[Indybear]

What alloy did you use? Must be just soft enough to slug up and seal the barrel. A really bad combo is a hard and small bullet in any gun. Have you fired a lot of Js?

All the Sigs, Taurus and Beretta 9mms I have worked with needed a really fat bullet and some up to .359 to shoot well. I know some like you do get by with .356 but my guess is most do not. I have always wondered why 9s vary so much in size and when 38s & 357s tend to be right on the money @ .357. Never heard a good explanation and it seems the imports are worse.

[bcp477]

I don't cast my own bullets, I buy them. But, my supplier lists on their website "92 %, 2 %, 6 % "..... and they are said to have a BHN of 12 - 15.

To date, I have put over 900 rounds of jacketed through the Stoeger...and over 800 through the Sig. As you may know, the Stoeger is made in Turkey (by a subsidiary of Beretta) and the Sig is made here in the US, by SigArms (in New Hampshire).

I am with you on the mystery of the oversized 9mm barrels. I haven't a clue. But, I am happy as can be that I seem to have "normal" sized barrels.

By the way, I have a mid 80's S&W revolver (38 Spl)....and it's barrel is just a bit undersized (closer to 0.356 than 0.357). It actually shoots 0.357" cast bullets just fine.

[marklyftogt]

I load Lees 124 gr RN with Accurate #2 and it shoots clean as a whistle out of my XD9.
My 92-FS Beretta leads like hell. Guessing it depends on the gun.
My mix is about 94-3-3.

[popper]

Anybody use WST in 9?

[justcharlie]

i use wst in my 9 sti and springer 5.25 works fine but i think i like hs6 better
still testing. have a 3 gun match this weekend will shoot the sti with wst.
just my $.02
justcharlie

[Petrol & Powder]

My all time favorite, always go to powder for 9mm is WSF. A good all around load for 115gr. FMJ (sorry about the J-word reference) is 5.4 grs. A little less for cast boolits that are about the same weight. It works with 124gr but you have to tweak the charge weight and I can't remember it off the top of my head but it's close to 5.4 as well. I never cared for heavy bullets in 9mm. 115 - 124 gr are what I like. I haven't loaded many 9mm cast boolits but I've loaded and shot 10's of thousands J-words. WSF just works in that cartridge IMHO. I suspect WST would work too but I see no need to upset the cart.

[A1armorer]

Thanks for all the information.
We are adding lead cast boolits to our mix of rounds and this thread is very timely for us.

[1Shirt]

Yep, I do also!
1Shirt!