9mm Cast bullets in a .38 Special

[Wally]

I have two Lee Bullet Molds intended for the 9mm Luger---a 120 TC and a 125 RN. Both cast bullets @ .358"+. I tried them for some .38 Special loadings sized to .359" and taper crimped. Never had an inaccurate load using them and never had a bullet jump the crimp. For powder charges have used 4.0 HP38, 4.0 Bullseye, 4.0 Red Dot... Muzzle velocities in the 900 FPS area. Even tried Titwad with the and IMHO it is the ideal choice for these bullets (better load density). I wondered if others have loaded them and what their thoughts were?

Both Lee 2 cavity molds drop beautiful bullets with very few rejects. I can cast at a rate 300+ an hour with them; I prefer their lighter weight over iron molds & I can cast at a faster rate with them, as the sprues harden quicker.

[runfiverun]

you ain't the only one.
I size my stuff to 358 and if I have any 'extra' [ha I can't hardly keep 9mm anything loaded or cast] 9mm boolits i'll slide some into the 357 mag or 38 special cases and give them a slight taper crimp.
but even when not using 9mm boolits i'll quite often not roll crimp and add in a slight taper crimp instead.
the boolits ain't going anywhere and it helps the brass go another loading or two.

[tmag97]

I have went the other way, had a 148 gr rn 38 special mold. It dropped a 145 gr bullet at 358. It works great in the XDM and Walther pistols.

[bedbugbilly]

I have used the Lee 356-120 TC quite a bit in 38 spl. as my mold drops the at about .358 or a tad over. They have worked decent out of all of my 38 revolvers (9 of 'em). Since I mainly "plink" I use 3.5 gr of Bulls Eye with them - I have used both taper crimp and roll crimp into the lube groove I have also used it in my 38 Colt Short loads as well. For the Colt Short, I usually use 1.8 gr.of Bulls Eye or 2.0 gr. of Red Dot. On the 38 Colt Shorts I just taper crimp them with a 9mm taper crimp die. They work great as well.

[wcp4570]

I shoot them in my S&W 642 and they work good. Have also shot them in a m19, 66 & Blackhawk.
wcp

[2wheelDuke]

I've used the Mihec 125gr hollowpoint in .38spl. The long nose doesn't do well in .357 cases.

[Scharfschuetze]

I also size all my 9mm boolits to .358" and shoot 'em in both 9mm and the 38 Special and 357 Magnum. The 147 grain truncated cone boolit is my favorite for this endevour.

In the 9mm, I taper crimp to the proper OAL due to magazine considerations and reliable feeding. In the 38 and 357 I roll crimp just over the start of the ogive of the boolit and I haven't had any slippage due recoil yet.

[dragon813gt]

I've used the Mihec 125gr hollowpoint in .38spl. The long nose doesn't do well in .357 cases.

I'm confused about this one. I use this bullet in 357 cases to great effect. It's an accurate plinker load that's easy on the lead and powder. All but one of my 35cal molds drop bullets at .359 larger. I have a MP 357-135 which is just the 359-125 in solid form and smaller diameter.

[bangerjim]

Who cares what caliber it is "supposed" to be used in! Diameter is the key! If 358-9, use it in 38's. I do it all the time.

Also you can up-size your 356's to 358+ by using PC. All depends on your sizing die, not the mold.

banger

[dudel]

Who cares what caliber it is "supposed" to be used in! Diameter is the key! If 358-9, use it in 38's. I do it all the time.

Also you can up-size your 356's to 358+ by using PC. All depends on your sizing die, not the mold.

banger

+1. Gun can't read the label on the mold box. If the diameter is a match for the bore, and the rounds feed, shoot em.

[Love Life]

I like the NOE 128 gr SWC in the 38 special with a moderate roll crimp into the driving band. All my brass is trimmed to length so no bulge due to case length variation.

[GhostHawk]

Did a test "bump" for some lee .356 124 gr bullets tonight. Put a 30 cal sizing die in press, in the holder I put the pushrod for the .358 sizing die. Each one got a bump, then a run through the .358 sizing die. Calipers say .3575 to .358 that should be just big enough to not lead in my .357 Handi Rifle. At 34 grains per boolit saved it is worth taking a look at. Not like my paper targets are going to care.

[Bullwolf]

Apparently I am also part of the 9mm Cast boolits in 38 Special group.

The Lee TL356-124-2R round nose boolit works nicely for me in the 38 Special cartridge when sized to .358, as does the TC Lyman 356402.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=121601&d=1415769058

My old Smith model 60 adores the Lee 9mm Tumble Lube boolit sized at .358, and loaded in a 38 Special case over a mild charge (3.4 grains) of Red Dot. The Lee 9mm TL boolit is even speed loader friendly.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52571&d=1311909165

I almost like the Lee TL356-124-2R as much as the heavier (158gr) Lyman 358311 in 38 Special.




- Bullwolf

[mdi]

Who cares what caliber it is "supposed" to be used in! Diameter is the key! If 358-9, use it in 38's. I do it all the time.

Also you can up-size your 356's to 358+ by using PC. All depends on your sizing die, not the mold.

banger
Well said Banger. I have a Lee mold (yes, I said Lee) for 125 gr. RNFP that I use for my 9mms, .38 Specials, and .357 Magnum. All three like a different finished diameter...

[PBSmith]

Friend loaned me his Lee 6-banger (356-124 TC, I believe - a conical number in any case). Got interested in it for .38 Special when I measured 0.310 dropped from the mold. Then discovered each cavity had a flat spot that rendered 0.356 x 0.310 ovals. Sized them down for the .38 Special, no luck in preliminary trials.

Then stuffed conical ovals into .35 Remington rifle brass and shot some respectable groups from an early Marlin 336, Ballard rifling, 24" barrel. Cookie cutter beeswax/grease lube and 4.7 grains Titegroup.

[2wheelDuke]

I'm confused about this one. I use this bullet in 357 cases to great effect. It's an accurate plinker load that's easy on the lead and powder. All but one of my 35cal molds drop bullets at .359 larger. I have a MP 357-135 which is just the 359-125 in solid form and smaller diameter.
It has to do with the guns I'm using it in. If I use a .357 case, it's too long to feed in my Rossi 92. I haven't tried, but they'd probably be fine in a revolver.