Got gifted 500 160gr 38 Super bullets. Now what?

[Jaak]

I was gifted a Bullet Barn Manufacturing box of 500 160gr cast round nose 38 Super bullets that measure .357 and are lubed. The problem is the closest thing I have to a 38 Super is a S&W M&P in 9mm. Can I use them in any way or do I just melt them down and recycle?

[Winger Ed.]

This is the perfect opportunity to get the 1911 in .38 super you've always wanted.:grin:

[nawagner]

While I agree it's a dang good reason to buy a new gun, you could also sell them and use the cash for something else.

[M-Tecs]

In the 80's a buddy of mine was shooting 165's in a 9mm for bowling pins but i don't remember the details


Loading data here for 158/160/s. People seem to like shooting them in a 9mm.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-heavy-bullets-in-9mm-luger/99514

https://www.reddit.com/r/reloading/comments/3yh8vv/165gr_9mm_load_data/

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?44073-158-grain-LRN-9MM-Loads

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/571018-160gr-9mm-bullets.html

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?282976-9MM-Luger-reloads-with-158-gr-cast-bullets

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/8/6/heavy-9mm-luger-bullets-everything-you-need-to-know/

https://www.gun-tests.com/ammo/deep-penetrating-heavy-bullet-9mm-loads-pretty-good-picks-2/

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/extra-heavy-9mm-bullets-180-gr-revisited.817362/

[dtknowles]

Do not melt them down. I would trade you twice the weight in lead for them. They probably would not go well in a 9 mm they are pretty heavy for even a 38 super. Others might pay cash but not me buying cast bullets kind of misses the point, trading lead for cast bullets does not seem so wrong.

Tim

[jaysouth]

Size them to fit and teach them to fly!

[BigAlofPa.]

I just got a 38 super recently. I love it. I didn't have any GI 1911's. My LGS had one new for 400.00 otd i think it was. It surprised me on how accurate it is.

[downzero]

They will shoot in your 9mm just fine, your slide will just be slow. You will probably want to use a medium speed powder like AA #5, universal, unique, green dot, etc. I wouldn't even size them, I'd just shoot them as is. Make sure to keep an eye no OAL since they won't fit at full SAAMI max. I think I load them around 1.120".

[Rapidrob]

By a Destroyer Carbine in 9mm Largo. You talk about fun shooting!

[FLINTNFIRE]

They will shoot in 9mm or the 38 super , and the weights not to much for a super have several supers lots of fun