cowboy action bullets in Walther p-1

[Vstrom]

Hello: I have a Walther P-1 that’s leads badly, when I slugged the barrel the slug measured .357, now I know why it leads, I size all of my reloads to .356! The question I have is, I have a lot of cowboy action shooting cast bullets that are rn fp that weigh 130 gr. and are sized to .358 I would like to use 3.5 gr. of Bullseye with this bullet. Does any one see a problem with this? I love this gun and do not want any surprises!!
Thanks!!

[MtGun44]

The main issue will be feeding. I haven't verified the load data, but it sounds reasonable,
please make sure that Alliant is OK with that load. If it is OK with a 125gr Jacketed, it should
be OK with the slightly heavier Pb boolit, too.

You have discovered the most common reason that 9mms are very often unhappy with
boolits. Many lead AND tumble the boolit. I think you'll do fine with .358 - only one other
potential issue - will it chamber? Load a test round (no primer or powder) and see if it will
full fit in the chamber before you load up a bunch.

Best of luck.

Bill

[Vstrom]

Thanks Mtgun44! I will do so tonight and hope to send a few down the pipe this weekend. I was 99% sure it would work but wanted another opinion!!

[leadeye]

I have had good luck with the Lee 125 RF in both my Beretta M9 and Browning HP. Sized .358, no chambering issues.

[EMC45]

Be mindful of feeding (like has been said) and also that cowboy bullet may be soft, so ease into it with your loading data.

[NuJudge]

I've used the Lee 358-125-RF in both the Beretta 92FS and a post-War Walther P-38 (both have big groove diameters), with spectacular results. Both pistols have been shot a lot. I water drop bullets made from Wheelweights with a bit of Tin added, and then run through a Star luber that produces .359" bullets. The first round or two through the Walther was slow to go up the feed ramp, after that no problem. Before you do this with big bullets, make sure a cartridge chambers freely when assembled with such a big bullet.

The pistols shot better with lighter loads. I am using a bit less than 4 grains of WW231, with Winchester brass and primers.

[jonk]

How's this for outside the box?

I shoot a 158gr semi wadcutter over 2.5 gr of bullseye in my P1 with very nice results. .359". Chambers and feeds fine, just enough powder to operate the action.

[lwknight]

And see the boolit go hit the target if the sun is right. What is your velocity jonk?

[jonk]

I couldn't say, I never chronographed it. I'd have to guess well under 800 fps, probably in the 600 something range.

[kawalekm]

Hi Vstrom
Here's a load that I made that shoots in my P1
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/kawalekm/9mm_150grainSWC.jpg
It's Lyman's 358477 SWC sized to .356" (lubed weight ~ 151 grains). Yes, it actually feeds just fine in my Walther!

One potential problem is the case mouth diameter. My Walther has a somewhat tight chamber and I MUST taper crimp or the slide will not lock into battery. If you are going to use .357" or larger bullets, your case mouth diameter will be even greater than mine. Check that your reloads can drop into the chamber with a slight metalic "click" when it hits headspace. If it can not just drop in (and drop back out), I think you'll have the same lock-up problem.
Good luck,
Michael

[Vstrom]

I finally got out to the range Sunday, with my .358 sized cowboy action shooting load for my P-38. I was a little apprehensive to say the least, but when the first bullet went off and no signs of over pressure were found, I followed with 9 more rounds. I got a 2 1\5 inch group a little high and to the left. Needless to say I was more than happy with the old girl! That was the best group I have gotten with it! I tried 2 loads,10 rounds each, 3.9 gr. Zip and 5.1 gr. Power pistol, oal. Was 1.110, taper crimp with Hornady dies. The Power pistol was the best grouping I had but the Zip was pretty close, I want to load a couple more powders Silhouette and 231 come to mind. Oh yeah, I had very little leading of the barrel which was the whole reason for the .358 dia. Bullet In the first place!:p

[dubber123]

Kinda funny I should spot this.. I had my P-1 at the range yesterday with some .359" sized boolits to give it a try. I used BRP's 360640, a 150 gr RF design. The .359" boolits should be a good match for the generous .3575" barrel my gun got. Accuracy was the best yet, but I think I need to try a harder boolit, and a little less velocity. Glad to hear yours worked out for you.

[Vstrom]

Yup me too!:mrgreen: