WTK .354 ,.355 , .356 size for 9mm ?

[umwminer]

have not poured a 9mm boolit in 35 yrs and the only sizing die I have is .354.
9mm was just getting popular back then and there wasnt much avail for load data.
If there is a good all round "average" recommended size ? I'm casting 124gr rn outta a lee sixbanger to be launched out of several different barrels .
Thanks Fellas...Bob

[NuJudge]

What size will be determined by your barrel(s). If I use .356" bullets, I get incredible Leading in most of my 9mm pistols. Those barrels I've measured seem to all be in the .357" to .358" range, which would explain the Leading.

I like to have my bullets be .001" or .002" over groove diameter, but the cartridge with a big enough bullet to fit the grooves will not always chamber, and if that's the case you're stuck with jacketed bullets.

The bullets I'm loading in 9mms now are mostly .38 Special bullets, round nose or flattened round nose, .357" and .359".

[BruceB]

Yep, I agree with NuJudge.

Use the largest-size bullet that still allows the cartridge to chamber freely. Our three 9x19 pistols run happily with .358" bullets, and that's what I use these days. One of the guns will accept .359", but in the interests of keeping the ammo usable in all three guns, I size 'em all at .358".

No leading or other problems, just good performance. Sizing at .354" is almost a guarantee of leading and other difficulties.

[Echo]

+1 for the above. Jibes with my experience.

[Houndog]

I use a .357 sizing die for my 9mm loads. All my barrels mike .356 or a few tenths less.

[bobthenailer]

i have 2 38 supers and 2 9mms all barrels slug .355 but shoot ther best with .357 dia bullets
38 super barrels , nowlin and kart
9mm barrels , factory springfield & khra

[JIMinPHX]

I've seen 9mm barrels vary more than almost any other caliber. I've cast .360" diameter boolits for a worn out old mil surp 9mm & I've had to cast .356" for a tight commercial chamber. I'd say that .356-.357" is most common, but you really need to slug your barrel to check the groove diameter & know for sure.

[Jack Stanley]

I saw a Beretta ninety-two gobble up bullets sized .359" but the same ammo in a new Smith M&P tied it up but good .

Jack