Problem feeding C96

[69daytona]

Have a M30 C96 that was converted at some time to 9mm, have only shot it with factory ammo until today.
Tried the powder Coated 125 rn I have sized to .356 and the bolt won't close, popped out the round and it had deep rifling marks on the boolit.
Slugged the barrel, measures .355 at chamber and .353 at muzzle.
Sized a few boolits down to .355 and tried again, had to tap bolt with heal of hand to close it and when racked to clear case popped out, boolits stayed stuck in chamber.
Any suggestions?
Tomorrow when I have more time going to try a tighter taper crimp.
Feeds berrys cprn 125 that are sized at .355 with same crimp setting I have now with no problem.

[bob208]

sounds like you need a tc bullet. that was original bullet for the 9m/m. that bullet feeds perfect in my h-p and luger.

[Walks]

My DAD fed his the LYMAN #356402 sized .355 cast hard of pure Linotype. Harder the bullet the better the feed. Seat to edge of bearing surface. he used a second sizing ( no decapping rod ) die to "taper crimp". Lubed the whole cartridge to do it, and then My little Brother and I wiped them clean. Late 1950's - early 1960's.

Max Charge of BULLSEYE.

His was also built as a "Big Red 9"

[Dan Cash]

Either throat the chamber on your pistol or get a mould which casts a smaller diameter bullet ahead of the crimp point.

[Bulldogger]

Don't discount that the mainspring might be weak from age or use. A stronger spring might snap it closed better. That was the problem with my C96.
Bulldogger

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Maybe the cartridge's overall length is too long? Were the bullets powder coated before or after the sizing? A combination of a little too long and a little too wide would wedge the bullet into the rear of the rifling and give the result you've described.

[69daytona]

Got it fixed, shape of round nose was to wide at normal seating depth, had to seat boolit .020 deeper and a slightly tighter crimp, now it feeds them like factory bullets.
Thanks Dusty and the rest for your help.