9mm

[Harpman]

I just got a S&W M&P9mm...wondering which mold do you guys think would be most accurate in this pistol...I do not know which weight bullet etc is best for the rifling in a 9mm....looking for the best cast bullet for accuracy.
Thanks Gents !

[MT Gianni]

I don't know your twist rate but I have had the best success in the 9 with 358242 121 grrn version and 358402 TC 120 gr. This is in a CZ 85, Ruger P89 and Taurus Millenium Pro. Gianni

[Leftoverdj]

I got firm opinions. They might be wrong, but they're still firm. Most of the 9mms that have been through my hands have had oversized bores. You'll need to slug your bore and go .001 - .002 over. That's not going to be the .356 so often suggested.

9mms have a viciously fast twist rate and generally operate at higher pressures than cast bullets like. The more bearing surface you have and the lower velocity you will accept, the better off you'll be. I'm happily shooting the discontinued Lee 356-153-2R. Got lucky and my mould casts in the .358-.359 range. You're not likely to find on, but you can look for something similar, c.150 grains, long bearing surface, enough nose to feed. Size it fat enough, cast it of something close to Lyman #2, push it about 900 fps with a medium or slightly slow powder, and you'll be OK.

[cohutt]

Through semi IMI UZI and G17 w/ Lone Wolf barrel- great shooter NO leading.

RCBS 147 cast w/ quenched 50/50 ww/pure mix that weigh out at 155. sized 356, or so the die label says...

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/misc009.jpg

[Bob Jones]

I've been shooting the Lee 358-158-RF through mine, sized to .357. Feeds great and very accurate. No leading problem with Alox at 950 fps.

[9.3X62AL]

Pile-on for what Gianni and DJ said. The twist rate of many 9mm barrels (1-10" or 4 turns/meter) is twice as fast as what is needed to stabilize the squatty boolits fired in the 9mm. Most aftermarket barrels feature a more reasonable 1-16" twist, and groove diameter closer to the nominal .355". I've also had the best results with Lymans #358242 and #356402, and the Lee TC 122 does well also. The Lee TC in 40/10mm x 175 grains and the TC in 45 x 230 grains do very well in those calibers too.

[Harpman]

I think I am getting the picture, anything heavy ?...say 140 grain and over.

[oso]

The lightest bullet I like in the 9mm is the Lyman 356634 at 138 gr, otherwise the Lee 356-153-2R or the Lyman 356637 (each of mine cast 156 gr with WW), all at about 900 fps.

[Harpman]

OK, Thanks for the info you guys, I am looking at the Lee 358-158 2R, Tumble lube, 6 banger

[oso]

I'd worry about the Lee TL358-158-2R chambering in a 9mm unless it's seated deeply because of that shoulder. Could be a problem. Check your throat. Borrow a couple of those bullets and double check how they fit. That's a lot of bullet to seat in a 9mm case.
The Lee 356-153-2R and the Lyman 356637 can be seated out and still chamber easily. I have to seat the Lyman 356637 truncated cone deeper than I wanted to or the nose band won't chamber.

[38 Super Auto]

I like the Lee 356 125 2R in a 6-cavity mold. I shoot 1000s of them every year. I size them to .356 for 38 Super and .358 for revolver. It's an easy casting bullet and I get 55+ per pound.

I cast a WW/range scrap mix with about 10% lino and I am getting 124gr and 14-15 BHN with water quenched bullets (measured within 1-2 weeks after casting)

[cohutt]

PM me your address and I'll send some lee 125RN TLs and some of the rcbs heavies the post above if you like. Shouldn't take but a day to the usps to roll them the 120 miles down 27.
These are both sized 356 and were cast from roughly 50/50 ww/pure.

I think the lees are already lubed too

[Harpman]

Alrighty then, my lee 358, 150 grain mold will be here tomorow, I have some N340 powder...This is the first semi pistol I ever reloaded for, what would be a good distance, and what group size to look for, to work up loads...M&P 9mm, 4 inch barrel...I am not sure of the capabilities of the pistol yet...Also, think I should water drop these from the mold ?...using Ww's

[cbr]

Harpman, I was just shopping for a heavier mold for my m&p 9 and stumbled across your post. I just tried my lee 358-158-rf and they will not chamber. How is the lee .358-150 working out for you? How deep are you seating them? Has anyone tried the lee 358-140 swc mold in a 9mm? Thanks

[crabo]

How do you think the Lee 125 round flat nose would work? It has a nice meplat and is plain based. I would think it would be a lot better if you happened to shoot small game with it. This midway link looks like it has a bevel base, but mine are plain based.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showpage?saleitemid=916523&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=685

Harpman, send me a pm and I'll send you some to try out if you would like.

Crabo

[Harpman]

I had to seat real deep, and still get some jams..I am probly going to size to 357..if you seat any deeper than you are remember about powder compression, I had to rework my powder and loads when I seated deeper.
Crabo, whats the size of that one you mentioned ?...I couldnt get a 356 lead bullet to shoot accurate no matter what I did..this heavey lee is extremely accurate, I'll see what happens when its sized down a tad.

[crabo]

I have a 358 sizer that I have been using. I have a 3565 also, but no 357. I can size some 358 and also send you some unsized or all unsized, whatever you would like.

Crabo

[HeavyMetal]

Gentleman:
If your loading these very heavy bullets in the 9mm your not getting anything out of them but low velocity target loads which isn't bad if thats what you want.

I have been playing with Bluedot and the Lee 125 RN. Casting is very easy and I run a hard bullet in the 20 brinnel range. I wish the lube grove was a little wider but it is very accurate and ought to run about 1200 FPS in your M&P 9mm if you size to 355 and run a stiff load of Bluedot!

I have a Taurus PT 99 that I put a 6 inch Bar-Sto barrel in! Using the above combination I can get 1455 FPS as an average veloicity, Yes this makes Major in the IPSC circles, and shoots very well!

You will not get this velocity out of a 4 inch barrel but it can be above average if done right!

I'll suggest you try that and see how it works!