I have not had a good result in my case with Lee's 120 TC. It gave me 355 boolits, and I could never get them to work better on my glock.
Much better result with RCBS 124CN, now I have to try MP 135 RNFP, which many say is very good.
I have not had a good result in my case with Lee's 120 TC. It gave me 355 boolits, and I could never get them to work better on my glock.
Much better result with RCBS 124CN, now I have to try MP 135 RNFP, which many say is very good.
I will give another vote to start with the LEE 120 TC 6cavity. Something I don't think was questioned but indirectly mentioned, what is your plan after cast? Are you going to PC, lube and how? I cut my teeth on the 120 TC and powder and haven't had an issue. I will end up with a second mold only b.c. I want something with a different design. I hate the looks of the TC but it works all too well from casting to loading to target.
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I like Mihec's version of the Hensley Gibbs HG275. Basically a 9mm version of the pooular HG68 for the 45 acp. Their 8 cavity aluminum mold really rains the bullets.
Unfortunately, it appears that the flat base version is sold out, but they make a bevel base version.
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/9mm...c-hg275-clone/
If I had been that lucky, I would not have made so many changes to my pistol.
That's one of the two molds that have left my reload room.
I have not bought a Lee mold since.
Hello Friends:
As the OP i failed to say that I will be using the shake and bake method to PC the bullets.
I will size if necessary using a Lee push through.
Sorry for lack of info.
Thanks for all the replies. Still trying to decide on mold/molds.
Suggestions greatly appreciated.
Will update once i pull the trigger.
I have also use the Lee 358-125-RF and it shoots fine in everything 9mm I have, except the 9mm AR, hence the reference to RN boolits. I will tell you, the 125 RF is the bee's knees for the .357 SIG, same profile as factory 125 FMJ. Now that might make for a great AR 15 build!
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I started out with the Lee TL 356-124 2R and it worked great. I still shoot a lot of them. Then I tried the Lee 358-105-SWC (H&G 68 clone) and I know this is a crazy reason, but I love the 'paper punch' holes that it makes in the target, so I have been making them and shooting them pretty much exclusively. I also cast the same style for my 45ACP. Great fun!
The most accurate 9mm bullet I've found has been cast using the obsolete Lyman #358212 .38 Special mould - 147-150 gain round nose, ww alloy. Size to .357". .358", or .359", whatever functions reliably and shoots most accurately in your gun.
I agree with the truncated cone guys. A lot of 9mm have a 90 degree, chamber to leade which will scrape lead. In my testing a .357 TC worked in more guns than it didn't. Sometimes a .358 worked if the chamber would take it. Next best boolit was the round nose. Both in the 120/125 weight class. I have never powder coated so can't speak to that.
Tony
9mm can be a bit of problem child but the most universal 9mm bullet I've found is the 120 grain TC style. That profile seems to work with most platforms.
9mm barrels are all over the place in terms of groove diameter, so measuring the bore is often a key step when making decisions on bullet diameter. A 9mm barrel should be .355" but they rarely conform to that standard; .356"-.357" is common.
I bought one of the MP HG275 bevel base molds. I've owned more than a dozen MP molds over the years. Unfortunately, my Dan Wesson 1911's don't like this bullet. Keyholes at 10 yards. Sure makes a nice bullet, though.
The Accurate 35-130A has been accurate in my 1911's.
Well for my 2 cents worth I just started casting with the NOE HTC356-135-RF-AH2 4 Cavity RG4 PB. Nice Hollow Point and my Beretta 92 just loves them sized to .355. I like the fact that I can do Hollow Points, Cup Points and Flat Nose with the same mould. I am not sure a beginner should start here though because the mould/pins have to be very clean to get good boolits. They also are great in my wife's EAA Witness. They are designed for Hi-Tek coating but I shake and bake them and have been very impressed.
I run the Lyman 147 gr RNFP. It shoots well out of almost all 7 of my 9mm's. Im thinking of adding a 124 gr option.
Depending on firearm, you need one to drop at least .357 boolits.
It is a rare 9mm that has a .355 barrel.
Shiloh
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Any government that does not trust its citizens with firearms is either a tyranny, or planning to become one. Joseph P. Martino
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BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |