Lee 358-110gn SWC Mold for 9mm?

[VariableRecall]

One of my Christmas gifts for Tumbleweed Christmas was a Lee 358-110gn SWC 2 cavity mold in Aluminum. Thanks to Idaho Mule, I was able to cast with it for the first time. The casting, compared to a more traditional iron 230gn boolit in .45 ACP, was a lot more difficult, but when the little fellas filled out they look to be quite the economical little boolit for use in .38 Special.

I've heard that you can also load these boolits for 9mm, which does make sense given their size. I've sized a batch of my cast boolits to .357 and it looks like they should be able to fit in an expanded 9mm case. The area behind the crimp groove looks like a reasonable spot to seat the boolit onto the case.

have any of you had success with loading these boolits for 9mm? Looking at the loading for .38 Special with these little buddies, you're suppose to put about 4.2gn of Win 231 in those suckers.
If you have had success with this mold in .38 Special or 9mm, which loadings do you prefer with it?
Should I set the boolit in 9mm behind the crimp groove or in front of it? I know case depth and OAL are very important if things are going to fit in a 9mm chamber.

[AndyC]

Can't say much other than just be aware that the 9mm case tapers inside - so the deeper you push the bullet, the more it can start to bulge.

[VariableRecall]

Can't say much other than just be aware that the 9mm case tapers inside - so the deeper you push the bullet, the more it can start to bulge.

I had noted that with the batch of 9mm 124gn grooveless boolits that I got from Hoosier Bullets, a sponsored vendor on this site were sized to .355 I believe. All of them plunked just fine in my Hi-Point C 9mm. (Called Strassel and it turns out it's a transitional model C 9mm from 2001-2002 that happens to be 99% a C9). I'm using some factory J-Words as a benchmark in terms of fit.

[Finster101]

Is this a Lee 358-105 ? If so there is a lot of data for that boolit on this forum.

[VariableRecall]

Is this a Lee 358-105 ? If so there is a lot of data for that boolit on this forum.

If there is I'd love to have a load that works for win231 in 9mm. Sorry about missing those other 5 gns. I didn't have it handy. I'll drop the midway USA listing for it here. It's a stubby little fella.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010200044?pid=243545

[Finster101]

Yep do a search and you should find plenty of info. I use it powder coated sized to .357 over 4 grns of Promo. Seat it deep with only about a fingernail showing above the case mouth. If your guns will run .358 go with that.

[VariableRecall]

Yep do a search and you should find plenty of info. I use it powder coated sized to .357 over 4 grns of Promo. Seat it deep with only about a fingernail showing above the case mouth. If your guns will run .358 go with that.

I've yet to try plunking or loading any of the 105gn SWCs in my Hi-Point, but I've had great plunking when I used boolits sized to .355. I may have to find out the hard way that they may not work well, but getting a Lee .355 sizer these days is going to be a feat.

By some miracle I managed to grab Lee's new boolit sizer in .357 setup designed for the APP press from Graf and Sons. Considering that the sizer bits are value priced, but nonexistant in retail, It may be a while until I can load them in 9mm without the new sizer.

[poppy42]

I’ve got a 113 grn Lyman mold that I’ve loaded down. I’ve got it to the point where it’s same hole accuracy at 15 yards! the report and the recoil is about that of a 22 Long rifle! It is truly a hoot to shoot! I’d post a load I use but I seriously doubt that you’ve got any SR 7625 as it’s been long since discontinued. Plenty of data out there hopefully you can find one to meet a powder that you have on hand!

[VariableRecall]

I’ve got a 113 grn Lyman mold that I’ve loaded down. I’ve got it to the point where it’s same hole accuracy at 15 yards! the report and the recoil is about that of a 22 Long rifle! It is truly a hoot to shoot! I’d post a load I use but I seriously doubt that you’ve got any SR 7625 as it’s been long since discontinued. Plenty of data out there hopefully you can find one to meet a powder that you have on hand!

I've got a feeling that I may have to do some tuning based on some user's load data, and whatever I can scrounge in various load manuals. I'm just glad I have the ability to cast some more whenever I get the chance to do that again.

[poppy42]

I’m telling you it’s a real hoot to shoot! You should see the look on the faces of other people at the range when I pull up to 38 special and start a fire in his bullets through it and then popping off like 22s. Lol Every once in a while just to get a rise out of people I’ll put 158 grn semi wadcutter and a sixth chamber! Do you hear five pops and boom! Don’t you have a S&W model 10? I have the same firearm. Hey you might try finding data for tightgroup.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

The Lee 358-105-SWC works well in the .380 Auto, the 38 Special and should do fine in the 9mm Luger. Haven't tried in a 9mm but it is my favorite for the .380 Auto, also called the 9x17. I think it would a very pleasant and fun shooter in the 9mm Luger.

[Texas by God]

It's a great little bullet. I'm currently trying to find a load for it that hits POA in my model 10 M&P. I've used it in model 15 and 67 S&W .38 Specials at 1000 fps, a Beretta 92, a Hi- point C9, and two S&W Shield 9mms with good results in all.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[VariableRecall]

It's a great little bullet. I'm currently trying to find a load for it that hits POA in my model 10 M&P. I've used it in model 15 and 67 S&W .38 Specials at 1000 fps, a Beretta 92, a Hi- point C9, and two S&W Shield 9mms with good results in all.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

Well just my luck! What diameter do you size them for your Hi-Point? I've got a C 9mm and I've successfully plunked rounds that had boolits sized to .355 (from the manufacturer) in its chamber.

[dimaprok]

Are you aware that lead bullets need to be at least .001" larger than bore size? Sizing at .355 sounds like leading waiting to happen. I love Lee 358-105 in my 38 special, its my favorite. Don't forget that even though you'll be saving lead you'll be putting more powder to compensate which in general cost more. This particular bullet works semi reliably in my Ruger 9mm carbine and not at all in my Canic, there are much better bullets available for 9mm like Lee 356-120-TC that I like.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

[VariableRecall]

Are you aware that lead bullets need to be at least .001" larger than bore size? Sizing at .355 sounds like leading waiting to happen. I love Lee 358-105 in my 38 special, its my favorite. Don't forget that even though you'll be saving lead you'll be putting more powder to compensate which general cost more. This particular bullet works semi reliably in my Ruger 9mm carbine and not at all in my Canic, there are much better bullets available for 9mm like Lee 356-120-TC that I like.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

Thank you for the warning. There's only one way to find out if I'm going to have a bad time or not.
IF I do experience excessive leading, what are some good ways to clean it out besides a solvent, bronze brush, and elbow grease?

[dimaprok]

Thank you for the warning. There's only one way to find out if I'm going to have a bad time or not.
IF I do experience excessive leading, what are some good ways to clean it out besides a solvent, bronze brush, and elbow grease?I've read copper "chore boy" wrapped around old brush is quickest way but why risk it? Just pick .356 or .357 sizing die.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

[Texas by God]

Try them as cast with LLA or PC. That's how I use them- they fit so I haven't sized or measured them. My mold may throw a bit different diameter, though.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[onelight]

I have shot a lot of those 105 grain Lees as cast , not sized and tumble lubed mine cast at .358 have shot them lubed with my 450 , and tumble lubed no sizing in 380 and 38 special.

[downzero]

Is this a Lee 358-105 ? If so there is a lot of data for that boolit on this forum.

That's what I was wondering. I loaded these in a 9mm and they did feed, they just didn't cycle. I am going to try to load some with a higher powder charge sometime.

I'm not familiar with a 110 grain 358 Lee mold.

[VariableRecall]

It's a great little bullet. I'm currently trying to find a load for it that hits POA in my model 10 M&P. I've used it in model 15 and 67 S&W .38 Specials at 1000 fps, a Beretta 92, a Hi- point C9, and two S&W Shield 9mms with good results in all.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

Huzzah! I have loaded up some 9mm according to your suggestions with the handful of boolits that I had cast earlier. They OAL to 1 inch on the dot, and are loaded with 4.4gn of Win231. They plunk right on the dot in my Hi-Point C 9mm. Boy are they cute! They are a bit tricky to load into the magazine. But, when I pushed the cartridges with my thumb in the slideless frame, they appear to feed just fine with thumb pressure alone. I have loaded 1 magazine's worth of them, and I'll be happy to let you know how well they turned out.