Best lee bullet for 9mm?

[Tripplebeards]

I’m thinking of getting into casting for my Ruger P58MK11 9mm. I see lee offer some round tiped boolot molds and truncated cones. What feeds and cycles the best?

[Curly James]

I am fond of the Lee round nose model 356-125-2R. I have the 6 cavity mold and have been loading them over 5.1 grains of Cfepistol powder. Cast from range scrap and powder coated then sized to .356, they weigh 130 grains. I simply seat them until they pass the plunk test in my Glocks and feed from the magazine. So far they are quite accurate and very reliable.

[Wally]

I have the Lee 120 TC & their 125 RN...both work good in my two 9mm pistols...if I could have only one of the two bullet molds it'd be the 120 TC.

[EMC45]

Lee 120gr. TC. Size it big as it will chamber and see what you got. I size mine to .358 in my fixed sight BHP and it shoots like a target gun.

[Tatume]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?410615-Help-Me-Choose

[doghawg]

I like the Lee 120 TC with conventional lube groves. I size to .357" after powder coating and load over 4.5 gr. Power Pistol. They're accurate and feed well out of every 9mm I've tried them in.

[Martin Luber]

Another one for the 6 cav lee 120 TC but check your groove diameter, many 9 s are 357 . My TC casts exactly at 357 with soft slloy

[Hick]

Lee 356-124 TC, powder coated and sized to 0.356

[FergusonTO35]

Only one I found wouldn't work is the TL truncated cone. The 358-125-RF works really good too!

[Cary Gunn]

I like the Lee .38/.357 125-grain revolver bullet in my Kahr pocket pistol. I believe Lee lists the bullet as their 358-125-RF.

Despite the revolver crimp groove and significant meplat, the bullet works fine for me in the 9 mm Luger chambering when tumble-lubed and sized either .3575" or .358."

Both Unique and Herco powder have worked well with the Lee bullet in the 9/19mm. I'm currently loading 5.4 grains of Herco, which is shooting accurately and producing just under 1,000 fps velocity from the 3-inch barrel of my Kahr CM9.

Happy trails,

-- Cary Gunn --

[Cosmic_Charlie]

The 125 rn is a good feeder. You do need to seat them deep to clear the rifeling though. I run mine at 1.075", powder coated and sized to .357". Bullseye and Tightgroup work well and meter well. Unique works nicely but meters poorly.

[daloper]

I use the Lee 356-125-2R. If you PM me an address I will put some in a small flat rate and send you some to try before you buy a mold. They are PC and sized to .356.

[Tokarev]

To the OP: the one with deep lube groves, not tumble-lube kind.
Do not try liquid alox and tumble lube for semi-autos, or it will gum up your action and you will curse it.
Lube traditional way and you will be fine.

[RKJ]

I vote for the 120 TC also. It shoots well out of my BHP and my two son's pistols sized at .357.

[redhawk0]

I only cast the 124gr TC mold from LEE for the 9mm. It feeds reliably.

redhawk

[MT Chambers]

Saeco 377 is tops in the 9mm.

[sukivel]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/a0303d5061e2c679264c18a11111bd93.jpg
I have shot thousands of these Lee 358-125-RF in my 9mm’s with no problems.


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[Texas by God]

Did you mean P85 Ruger? I tried the TL124 TC Lee in a P89 that I had and it shaved slivers of lead from the bullet. Gun or bullet? I never tried it again. I have had good luck with the 358- 105SWC in two S&W Shields, a Hi-point C-9, and Beretta 92 (as cast, LLA or PC). I never bothered much reloading 9mm when FMJ factory ammo was inexpensive, but now I DO!

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[derek45]

Who's got the 120 or 125 in stock ?

[Tripplebeards]

Did you mean P85 Ruger? I tried the TL124 TC Lee in a P89 that I had and it shaved slivers of lead from the bullet. Gun or bullet? I never tried it again. I have had good luck with the 358- 105SWC in two S&W Shields, a Hi-point C-9, and Beretta 92 (as cast, LLA or PC). I never bothered much reloading 9mm when FMJ factory ammo was inexpensive, but now I DO!

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Yep, P85...P89 is the same pistol. I’m the guy who always on the opposite end of Murphy’s law when it comes to getting cast to feed. That why if figured the lee rounded boolit mold option was my safest bet to get it to feed.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Lee 120 TC
...and hope you get a mold that will drop boolits that can be sized to .357

I've owned two different P89 rugers, they would cycle anything I feed it.

Also, regarding Lee's 125gr RF, that worked fine, but I had trouble with them "growing" over the course of a year or two and with this design, that can be troublesome, as they wouldn't chamber.

[FergusonTO35]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/a0303d5061e2c679264c18a11111bd93.jpg
I have shot thousands of these Lee 358-125-RF in my 9mm’s with no problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What OAL are those?

[Thunder Stick]

I have a Ruger P95, the later evolution of the P89, and my bore measures .357”. I was given thousands of Lee 124 grain RN TL cast bullets that measured .355 to .356 and they shot horribly. So, I learned to powder coat which gained me and additional .001” diameter. They shoot better than factory in my pistol. Size is everything.

[sukivel]

What OAL are those?

OAL is 1.025


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[smkummer]

A friends LC9 feed Lee’s TL125 RN just fine. So does my 92FS. We started out at 3.6 grains 700X and worked up to 3.9.

[daloper]

Just went to Titan Reloading and they had the Lee 120 TC 2 cav. in stock. Ordered and will hope to get some cast and PC next weekend. Have not found the 6 cav. anywhere. I guess this will do for now.

[Tripplebeards]

Is the rule of thumb still to size a thousands over what ever my barrel slugs at with 9mm just like any other standard rifle or pistol? I can’t believe how anything in 9mm is lacked way up on eBay right now. Molds and dies are ridiculously priced compared to six months ago. I will PC my boolits. I would assume 100% COWW will work just fine? I’ll add a little pewter for fill out. I have a die set and sone test boolits on their way to test. I will have to slug my barrel so I can order a lee sizer. They only one I have right now I honed out to .359.5”...I would assume to large if my barrel slugs to .357” as it seems a lot of members have posted their similar pistols slug to?

[Petrol & Powder]

Another vote for the 120 TC. I don't think there is a better "all-around" cast 9mm pistol bullet profile.

They generally drop from the mold a little heavier than 120 grains, depending on alloy and that is perfect. The Truncated Cone profile feeds and functions in just about any 9mm pistol and that bullet shoot well.

[Petrol & Powder]

As for groove diameter of a typical 9mm pistol - GOOD LUCK, I haven't seen a "typical" one yet! 9mm barrels seem to be all over the map.

Sizers between .356" and .358" (which is only 3 sizing dies) should get you in the game.

As for seating depth, I tend to seat 9mm bullets to achieve a fairly long OAL. The lube groove needs to be inside the case, the cartridge needs to fit in the magazine and feed from the magazine and the cartridge needs to chamber. Other than those criteria, I seat them fairly long and don't get too excited about OAL.



Your pistol will tell you what works.
The 9mm Luger does not tolerate overly short OAL cartridges and the penalty for that violation is excessive pressure. SO if you're going to err, err on the side of too long and not too short.

[Tripplebeards]

I slugged my P85 tonight. My slug measured .355". So should I go .001 over like my rifles for best accuracy? I see lee makes sizers in .356,.357, and .358.

[EDK]

i use the LEE 356 120 TC; then the NOE 357 135 (?) round nose flat point; I'm working with LEE 358 105 SWC sized to 357; I'm trying 358 140 SWC and having issues because of so much body in some brass. the SWC have been compared to the venerable H&G #68 nose configuration. I'm using 5 and 6 cavity moulds. My guns are GLOCK model 17, 19, and 34 with KKM barrels

You gonna cast some boolits or whistle Dixie?

[nueces5]

I think I'm the only one who hasn't had good experiences with Lee's 120 TC
The mold for more linotype that I put, gave 355-356 boolits
I didn't find, despite all the forum advice, a way to make it work on my Glock.
I switched to a 135 grain MP and everything was better ...

[Tripplebeards]

I can’t find a 120 TC mold...or not at a massively over inflated price. I ordered a 356 125 2R, 2 boolit lee mold off Amazon a couple minutes ago for $21.99 with free shipping! Couldn’t pass it up for that. I’ll have to buy or find a sizer for them next. Dies are on the way as well. Any suggestions on what size to size my boolits with a .355” bore for best accuracy and no leading? I’ll be PCing them.

I’m guessing 100% straight COWW plus a little pewter for mold fill will work just fine?

[daloper]

Titan Reloading has the DC 120-TC in stock. I have one ordered and can send some to you to try once I get it and get some cast.

[Tripplebeards]

Darn it, I didn’t read the lee 125 2r isn’t available till dec 31st that I bought on Amazon. Oh well...at least it will get to me eventually.

[cupajoe]

I bought a S&W Shield EZ 9 a while back. A quick glance down the barrel I couldn't tell there was a throat to speak of. I shot a PM to Douguy about throating the barrel. In the mean time I upset a hollow sinker in the throat area and low and behold there was a nice throat that started at .358 and smoothly tapered to groove diameter. I size bullets to .3576 and life is great. You might want to slug the throat before you order a sizer or maybe be prepared to hone it out to the desired size.

[Tripplebeards]

HAY HAY!!! Midway USA just emailed me a few second ago and said the 120 TC mold was in stock for $21.99! I clicked on the link and it said one left. Shipping and tax took me to $29.63. It still says only one left...even after I purchased it. So I think they are trying to get some sales. I will keep the round nose 125 2R mold on back order from Amazon. Midway said they had two of the 125 R2 round nose molds on stock as well. So they must a received a real small shipment.

[downzero]

What OAL are those?

It makes me happy to hear that these will work in 9mm. I just picked up this mold to shoot them in my .357 lever gun. I may try them in 9mm too.

[Tripplebeards]

I just picked up a pound of HS-6. Figured I can use it with the 120-TC and 125 2R boolit a kind member sent me and I can use the powder for level 2 performance in my 45 Colt NV.

[Tripplebeards]

Got my TC 120 mold today from Midway! To bad they did their normal pee poor economy packing when shipping as usual and put my mold in a bubble bag. Mold is alright but the lee box it came in is destroyed

[Jal5]

For those who use the 358125RF and Unique how much powder did use? Mine seem too light of a load to feed and cycle the beretta 92 all the time. You can see my other thread on that problem. Thx
Joe

[skeet1]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/a0303d5061e2c679264c18a11111bd93.jpg
I have shot thousands of these Lee 358-125-RF in my 9mm’s with no problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I tried this bullet and because I was unsure if I would like it or not I purchased a 2 cavity mold. I now wish I had gotten the 6 cavity mold/ It shoots great and I like the flat nose. Functions great!

[Conditor22]

9MM molds are like trucks, everyone has a preference.

In short, you have to find the one that works best in your gun.

I can get 1/2 groups with the lee 125 2R OVER hs-6 in my P89 [my P89 likes smaller diameter boolits

the Beretta slugs out fat and prefers .359

[Murphy]

9MM molds are like trucks, everyone has a preference.

In short, you have to find the one that works best in your gun.

I can get 1/2 groups with the lee 125 2R OVER hs-6 in my P89 [my P89 likes smaller diameter boolits

the Beretta slugs out fat and prefers .359



And there you have it. Not to come across as less than caring or rude, but Conditor22 is correct. Every firearm is an entity of it's own and there simply is no best mold for your particular one, until you've tried several styles and weights.

I was thankful for days in the past when I wanted to try a new boolit and LEE had an offering that fit what I was looking for. I would purchase a 2 cavity, give it a try and see how well it worked. If it did what I wanted, I would then go on the search for it's big brother in a 6 cavity configuration.

Sad thing is, trying to find some molds at this time is like finding hen's teeth. Best of luck on finding the mold that works for you.

P.S. You may want to go to "The Boolit Exchange" section in S&S and inquire if anyone has a particular boolit you have in mind. Cheaper

[Old School Big Bore]

I started using the lyman 356402 literally decades ago for 9mm, .38/357 and 38 Super. I have since used it in .357 SIG. The Lee TC is a clone and I'm not surprised at the number of people recommending it. I have the Lee version and it casts such good boolits that I retired my tired old 356402. We have also had good luck with the 105-SWC in several pistols. Aside: One of my sons has a suppressed Skorpion and asked me to load some heavy-boolit subsonics for it, and I dug out some old pre-PC clearcoat 158 RN and worked them up to about 900 f/s. I seated them to the crimp groove and fired some in my Aero AR9. The gun loves them and it's the softest-shooting combination I have after the M1 Carbine and a heavy B53 in .32-20. I ordered two different Lee 6-cav 158s, the SWC and the RF, and the 150 RN, and we're going to PC all of them for trials. I also have a 200-RN coming for testing in his Legend. After a lifetime of playing with mainly .44s, I'm actually enjoying this 9mm stuff.
Ed <><

[Tripplebeards]

9MM molds are like trucks, everyone has a preference.

In short, you have to find the one that works best in your gun.

I can get 1/2 groups with the lee 125 2R OVER hs-6 in my P89 [my P89 likes smaller diameter boolits

the Beretta slugs out fat and prefers .359

My P85 which is the exact same as a P89 slugs at .355”. A member here sent some .356” sized 125 2F boolots to try. I figured I’d try and slug my barrel with one to check fitment at .356” even after the fact I already slugged my barrel with a pure lead slug. The rear lube groove wasn’t having it and wasn’t going to swage down through my barrel. Ninety nine percent of the bullet(slug) sized to .356” sized down to .355” like my soft slug I used to measure my bore a week ago. Nice deep grooves in the lee125 2F I tried to swages down. So they will definitely have a good fit sized at .356”.

All lee 9 mm molds were in stock at Midway the other day. I received an email stock alert. I ordered a 120 TC because most here say that’s the goto boolit for best feeding and accuracy. IMO a TC boolit will have more a shock power on small game. It was all of $21.99 for a 2 place mold. I received the mold a could of days ago but won’t cast with it till deer season is over now which will be Jan 1st. If the 125 2F out shoots the 120 TC I’ll have to purchase that mold as well.