9mm with oversize bore, P.38 & Hi-Power

[tinsmith]

I have a couple of WW2 era handguns that don't group at all well. My P. 38 has a bore dia. of .358 and my Browning Hi-Power has a bore dia. of .3575. I've tried factory jacketed 115 grainers with shotgun-pattern groups. They aren't target guns, but they should do better than they are doing! I would be interested in casting/purchasing lead bullets that might fit the bore better. My first choice would be to buy 500 cast bullets from a supplier. I really don't intend to shoot either pistol a lot. Any suggestions??
Jeff

[45 2.1]

Try to find some 0.3585" to 0.359" boolits. See if they will load and chamber in both pistols, if so try for accuracy. If they don't fit, size the boolit to 0.358" and try again.

[S.R.Custom]

A 125 gr RNFP or truncated cone for the .357/.38 Spl sized to .359 will work wonderfully. BTDT... ;)

[9.3X62AL]

9mm Parabellum pistols with grooves at .357"-.358" aren't uncommon. The usual recipe for improved accuracy is bullets/boolits that fit. 2 SIG 9mm's at my hosue both run .3565"-.357" throats and grooves, and .357" 125 grain truncated cone boolits really shine in both pistols.

When you start fattening boolits--you'll sometimes need to use thinner case necks. Remington cases run thinner than Winchester, Speer is thicker than either.

[tinsmith]

Thanks for the information! You folks are really helpful.
Jeff

[cropcirclewalker]

Woo Hoo

Yo, Mr. Tinsmith, Crop here,

I have a Lee 356-120-TC (that's truncated cone) mould that I would be happy to loan out for a coupla days.

What is to lose? You could always melt them back down.

Stop by and pick it up.

[EMC45]

I size all my bullets for the Hi Power to .358. They work fine!

[JMax]

I use .358" 125GR TC moly coated in my P38 and HiPower when I had it with excellent accuracy.4.4 to 4.6 gr of WW231 worked well. The HiPower needed a bit more poop than the P38 for reliable cycling.