Recommendation on 9mm bullet mold?

[Ironmike340]

New to casting. I will be powder coating. I have three daughters we all shoot. So I wanna keep it simple. I’m thinking 124 g round nose to make sure all guns feed? Does it matter if it has lube groove? I will consider different grains, but like I said for target shooting. A mold with 2 cavity would prob be ok with me. Don’t wanna break the bank! All suggestion will help? Thanks

[Conditor22]

I like this one https://leeprecision.com/6-cavity-356-125-2r.html

IF you can find one :(

[45DUDE]

I recently bought a Lyman 356402 and I love it. It drops a .360 boolit I can size to .356 for 9mm or .358 for 38 special. With a Lee mold you could probably alox without sizing.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

This is my Fav mold for 9mm
while it says it's a SWC, the shape is more like a TC with a tiny edge. I size them to .357
and it's in stock ;)
https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/355-9mm/358-128-swc-aw2/358-128-swc-aw2-5-cavity-pb/

With the stupid prices of Lee molds, these days, the NOE is probably cheaper.

[mdi]

There's a whole slew of 9mm/357 bullet molds that feed trouble free. I use Lee's 358-125-RF for my 4, 9mm pistols (and my 38 Specials and 357 Magnum). I have used them dip lubed in 45-45-10 and used conventional wax based lubes and PCed a bunch. All worked well. With today's situation you may have trouble finding molds, but just about any round nose will feed well (1R from Lee are stubby and need to be seated deep. Look for 2R). Shop around for a RN, TC or RNFP, with no shoulder, from any manufacturer (I just got an excellent mold from NOE and they has several designs in stock)...

[Ironmike340]

Question? What’s the difference from lee 1r vs lee 2r you mentioned? Also no feeding issues in autos? I’m liking the tc flat nosed. Not sure why but I have a glock that is very accurate with them

[sixshot]

If you're feeding 3 different 9mm's go with a 4 cavity mold, there's very little price difference between a 2 & a 4 cavity & you will be happy you did!
As mentioned molds are hard to come by but if your guns have fixed sights you might want to shoot a few cast bullets of different weights before buying a mold to make sure you're happy. Most 9mm's are regulated for 115's or 124 gr bullets, you can adjust somewhat with powder charge but trying some first is your best bet. That Lyman #356402 is extremely popular for a reason, or something close to it.
Dick

[marek313]

Lee 356-125-2R is my favorite, cheap, feeds well and cast fast with 6 cavity. Lee 356-120-TC will probably be suggested as well as I've seen many people use that mold to especially if you have a handgun with tight chamber and no leade where 125-2R might be little fat for that. If you are planning on PCing i would suggest to stay away from any TL molds as they are not as accurate when PCed. There are many other molds from various manufacturers but Lee is a great way to start. I def got my money worth out of my Lee molds.

[Wayne S]

With 4 shooters you should consider signing up for the 8 cavity group buy
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?420670-MIHEC-359-125-FB-(9mm)-Rerun-4-Cav-HP-or-6-Cav-Solid-Brass
At least get on the list while you are looking for something you can get your hands right now.

[sixgunner452]

I vote this Lee 6 banger mold for production mold, readily available. Functions fine with 3.5-4.0 grs Reddot. Has a bigger meplat than the Lee RN. I couldn't get my 9mm to function with the Lee 358/105. Randy.

[gwpercle]

Lee 356-120-TC or if you would like to step up to a NOE mould the
NOE 358-124-TC GC . I like the gas check so I can use a softish alloy and plus 1000 fps velocity.
I size/lube at .357 and use in 9mm Luger and 38 Super.
I size/lube at .358 and use in 38 Special , 38 Special +P and 357 Magnum.
The .358 cast size allows you to do this .
The 124 gr. Truncated Cone design was what the 9mm Luger was originally loaded with... deemed to be too effective a killer so the ammo was changed to 115 RN ... Wars are funny things ... too effective ?
Gary

[alfloyd]

If you use this one
https://leeprecision.com/6-cavity-356-125-2r.html
and you powder coat them you will need to seat them deeper or they will jam into the riffling of the barrel.
Ask me how I know.:)
I use the this one and have no problems.
https://leeprecision.com/6cav-tl356-124-2r.html
The nose is smaller and still fits the barrel after powder coating.

Lafaun

[oley55]

Question? What’s the difference from lee 1r vs lee 2r you mentioned? Also no feeding issues in autos? I’m liking the tc flat nosed. Not sure why but I have a glock that is very accurate with them

^^^???? what does the 1r/2r refer to in the molds shape/design?

[Ironmike340]

Wondering the same

[onelight]

^^^???? what does the 1r/2r refer to in the molds shape/design?

The 1R or 2R measurement tells you the shape of the radius of the ogive if you compare a 380 ball cartridge to a typical 9mm ball cartridge you can get and idea of the difference a 380 being close to 1R and the 9mm closer to 2R
My crude explanation will make more sense if you look at The Lee mold catalog you can see an example of each .

https://leeprecision.com/bullet-casting/hand-gun-bullet-molds/

[NY_Treeguy]

I have used the lee 124 2r and have no problems in handguns or 2 different PCC’s. Tumble lube with alox thinned out.

[sigep1764]

1r vs 2r. Grab an egg from the fridge. There is one end that is round, fat and shorter (1R). Then there is the other end, longer narrower, and somewhat pointier (2R). The 2R tends to work with todays barrels better from what I understand.

[onelight]

1r vs 2r. Grab an egg from the fridge. There is one end that is round, fat and shorter (1R). Then there is the other end, longer narrower, and somewhat pointier (2R). The 2R tends to work with todays barrels better from what I understand.
That's a great example :)

[oldhenry]

My 3 9mm molds are pictured.

Left to Right: MP-359-115, Lee 356-125 R2, MP-359-130.

All three function 100% in my SR1911. The also function 100% in different brands of 4 family members.

With my alloy actual weight after sized & lubed: MP-359-115=121, Lee 356-125 R2=130, MP-359-130=136

All shoot better than I do: but, hands down the MP-359-130 is my favorite. Mine is an 8 cav. & the same mold is now listed on the GB section. I like it so much that I'll sign up for another just to salt away.

Arsenal lists a 358-130RN which they say is a clone of the Lee 125R2, They also list the 359-130RF that looks like the MP-359-130. I had their 358-125TC which was a good mold (I sold it because I never used it: preferring the MP-359-130). You can get a 4 or 5 cav. from them for less that the ebay Lees.

Like others have stated: with 3 shooters a 4 or 5 cav. mold would be preferred.

[Ironmike340]

Arsenal has 359 130. Would that be to big a diameter if lowered coating? I could size before coat but I size down to .356 and plus powder coat adds couple thousands?

[Ironmike340]

They do state I can ask for different diameter ?

[CoolHandMoss]

I've been testing several 9mm molds lately. Most molds you'll find for 9mm boolits can cast good accurate projectiles. I say get whatever you can find. More cavities is better, don't bother testing the waters with a two cavity. If you have the option always opt for a bigger mold so you can size down, but bigger boolits shoot better in my experience. If a 9mm mold casts smaller than .358 I lap it out.

[Burnt Fingers]

This question is being asked on a weekly basis.

It's not the best time to be buying molds as almost everything is sold out.

MP has this mold in stock.

https://www.mp-molds.com/product/23789/

You'll thank me later.

[mdi]

Question? What’s the difference from lee 1r vs lee 2r you mentioned? Also no feeding issues in autos? I’m liking the tc flat nosed. Not sure why but I have a glock that is very accurate with them

The 1R round nose profile/ogive is shorter and blunt. Being blunt the ogive extends farther out and for good plunking and the 1R needs to be seated quite a bit deeper in the case for many (most?) guns. The deep seating often is worrisome due to much reduced case capacity in 9mm. I don't have any 1R Lee molds, but I have seen the problem, many times here on castboolits...

Normally I purchase a particular bullet before I buy a mold and I bought a few hundred cast bullets that look very close to Lee's 356-120-TC and so far they feed 100% in 3 of my 9mm pistols (haven't tried any in my Tokerev, just because)...

[Ironmike340]

I am gonna be powder coating. My concern is if I go with a .359 I’m gonna resize to .356 powder coat and have to resize again? It doesn’t bother me but is that a lot of sizing on a bullet?

[Ironmike340]

That mp comes in .356 or .359 what would you all do

[AndyC]

PC'ing will add about 2-thou to the bullet - personally I'd get the .356

[Conditor22]

IF you are going to coat the boolit get the .356

[Ironmike340]

Ok thank you that’s what I was thinking

[CoolHandMoss]

This is my Fav mold for 9mm
while it says it's a SWC, the shape is more like a TC with a tiny edge. I size them to .357
and it's in stock ;)
https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/355-9mm/358-128-swc-aw2/358-128-swc-aw2-5-cavity-pb/

With the stupid prices of Lee molds, these days, the NOE is probably cheaper.

How deep are you seating these? I am working one up now it seems to need to be set all the way to the recess where the truncation (sorry for the bad terminology) begins in order to plunk. Does that sound too deep?

[oley55]

IF you are going to coat the boolit get the .356

trying to get my head around this, I think the mp mold being referred to: https://www.mp-molds.com/product/23789/, is a no lube groove boolit, presumably for PCing or hitec. With that is mind I would expect the 359 to handle PCing, or am I off in the weeds again or confused on which mold we are talking about?

[Gamsek]

That mp comes in .356 or .359 what would you all do

Most od my 9mm MP bullets are 359” and one is .357”. I cast, PC and size to .357”. I don’t notice any significant difference in sizing, .359” is more universal because you can use them in .38/357 loads too.

My MP 357-135 which is a NLG FP version of famous MP 359-125 penta HP is a https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/eb92eaecdaff2b8332d01b21623c9dd3.jpg
outstanding one. After seeing what it can do, I bought another 6cav brass just to have a spare. (8cav aluminium is primarily one)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/f4c6ed8190269171a6ec2c2e3e39e99c.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/aa4a5979285f724e283a318eaa2fa299.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/c83d57abc6146b47dea0d03670074954.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/af6669ca7911c79512bcef9ccc6f5966.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/256a73d595d75054030f64708c2181e8.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210311/79dba0647ded37b967caf887bf0bdd05.jpg

[Ironmike340]

Well I’m still gonna get another mold. Called my gunsmith and he had a slightly used lee .356 125 2r 6 cavity with handles for 50 cash. After looking on eBay and around I couldn’t pass that up. Over a hundred on ebay

[AndyC]

Snag it, dude - it's a great deal for a good design (I sold mine on the bay used for over $100 - without handles - after I got in my MP mold).

[Ironmike340]

Yeah I snagged it and the nylon 66 he took in on trade lol