Want to start casting for 9mm.

[Drew P]

Weirdly the fact remains that I don't own a 9 but I want to cast for them. I guess I have a reloading disease.
Anyway, what's a good general purpose mold to start with that has hollow point capability? I'll be powder coating them so grooves don't matter a whole lot.
The MP 125gr hp pb mold looks nice, but any other go-to hp molds for 9?
Thanks in advance.

[Tackleberry41]

I have been using an NOE 357 158/145gr HP mold thats easy enough to size down for use in a 9mm. I know lyman makes a devestator 9mm HP 147gr mold, but its alot of work making them 1 at a time.

[MT Gianni]

NOE 135 gr is available in an RG 2 or 4. I am sure there are others around 120 gr.

[reddog81]

Do you cast anything for 38 special? Most lightweight roundish 38 caliber bullets will work. I use a LEE 125 RF and a Lyman 358311 for both 38 and 9mm.

[Drew P]

So far in pistol all I've been casting is various 45 cal.
Are all these suggestions HP? I wasn't aware lee made any hp molds.

[Moonie]

My favorite 9mm mold is currently a 147gr PC Accurate Molds specifically the 35-147Y.

[Tackleberry41]

So far in pistol all I've been casting is various 45 cal.
Are all these suggestions HP? I wasn't aware lee made any hp molds.

Lee doesnt make anything HP. Most of NOE molds can be gotten w HP pins.

[rwadley]

Lee doesnt make anything HP. Most of NOE molds can be gotten w HP pins.
They DID. You can sometimes find one on ebay.

[tazman]

NOE 135 gr is available in an RG 2 or 4. I am sure there are others around 120 gr.

I second this one^^^^^ NOE 358-135-FN. I use this boolit both as a solid and as a hollow point. It feeds perfectly and shoots accurately.

[Drew P]

Thanks for all the replies! I was dragging my feet and today noticed it appears that MP is having a sale, so I picked up an in-stock 4 cav mold. 114€ delivered. Can't wait to see how it works. So far the only high class mold I own is my accurate 45acp aluminum job. Never had a brass mold yet so I'm pretty stoked.

[Tackleberry41]

Brass molds are nice, but its like casting with a brick due to the weight. A banger gets real heavy real fast.

[Drew P]

Yeah I don't use a rest on my pot either. But I have large hands so I should be okay. Why don't they lighten them with holes?

[Drew P]

Looking around for loads for this boolit and came up with a few possibilities I want to run by y'all. Here's the pistol powders I have on hand:
bullseye 4.4-4.9
titewad. 2.9-3.4
international clays ?
red dot 4.1-4.5. (This load was listed for I believe a HB plated bullet)

any opinions?

[Love Life]

I prefer gas checked round nose or truncated cone design bullets for the 9mm.

[brassrat]

I wouldn't be loading for a 9mm until I had a 9mm. You have to see if they fit the barrel right. IMO, Wouldn't be prudent


NEVER MIND MY BAD

[dragon813gt]

MP hollow point molds are a lot easier to cast w/ than the NOE RG. The MP also has the advantage of having a flat bottom. I was never able to keep the pins hot w/ a RG mold. The MP will rain bullets once the mold and pins are up to temp. You made the right choice.

It will drop 125 grains as a hollow point and 135 grains as a solid. I cast it as a solid. The HP fad wore off quickly for me.

[Leadmelter]

For fun, Lyman 124gr. I have others but have not had time for the others.
Leadmelter
MI

[Drew P]

Brassrst, I partly agree, however when we powder coat we have the opportunity to size bullets down to whatever diameter we want, the PC makes up the difference if they are a little small. So when I buy molds im not concerned with how big they drop anymore.

[Drew P]

MP hollow point molds are a lot easier to cast w/ than the NOE RG. The MP also has the advantage of having a flat bottom. I was never able to keep the pins hot w/ a RG mold. The MP will rain bullets once the mold and pins are up to temp. You made the right choice.

It will drop 125 grains as a hollow point and 135 grains as a solid. I cast it as a solid. The HP fad wore off quickly for me.
great news thanks. Yeah I may not end up doing much HP but it's nice to have the option.

[dragon813gt]

Since it's a brass mold you have to heat cycle the mold before use. I put it a toaster oven at 400 for an hour, let cool to room temp and repeat two more times. This builds up a patina on the blocks. The patina helps w/ bullet release.

[Drew P]

Since it's a brass mold you have to heat cycle the mold before use. I put it a toaster oven at 400 for an hour, let cool to room temp and repeat two more times. This builds up a patina on the blocks. The patina helps w/ bullet release.thanks for that. I remember reading that now but might have overlooked it in the heat of the moment. No pun intended.

[beechbum444]

Do you cast anything for 38 special? Most lightweight roundish 38 caliber bullets will work. I use a LEE 125 RF and a Lyman 358311 for both 38 and 9mm.

Red:

What powder have you been using with the Lee 125 RF??? What about OAL??