loading 125 gr FN lead .358 dia

[trextrex1029]

Okay

I got the Cowboy #2 from Missouri Bullett.

I made a couple of dummies but they are shorter than any 9mm round I have or have reloaded.

I forget who told me the .356 was too small for an 92FS barrel, but it seems that the length of the .358 is too short.

Will the .358 go down the barrel without leading?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For the most part 9mm jacketed bullets should be sized to .355" and 9mm lead bullets should be .356". It's a bad idea to use .358" .38 Special bullets because they have the wrong profile. Stick with bullets which are designed for the caliber you're loading for. Also, leading can be caused by many different reasons, one of which is sizing but it's not the only reason.

 

[trextrex1029]

so use the .356 lead I have for 9mm?

 

[trextrex1029]

What kind of sizing might you suggest?

 

[trextrex1029]

The .358 fits into the barrel but I have to seat it lower. I was told that the .356 would allow gas to come over the top and melt the bullet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why would you not use the correct bullet for your 9mm? A .356" lead bullet is correct for most 9mm barrels. Who told you that was the wrong bullet?

BTW, you can use the "edit" button at the bottom right of the post if you want to add something to your post instead of making 3 posts in only 4 minutes.. lol

 

[trextrex1029]

I found this post at we the armed

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say "back off" the load if leading occurs. Leading can occur if the bullet alloy is too hard, too soft, if the bullets are undersized, or if the load is pushing the bullet too fast (similar to "too soft" alloy). The right combination of all of the above can fix a leading problem, or cause it. Leading is generally due to gas-cutting, that is, chamber gas gets around the bullet from behind it and cuts lead off the base of the bullet, depositing it in the rifling. A bullet 0.001" or even 0.002" oversize can help prevent this, which initially might seem counter-intuitive, using a larger diameter bullet to NOT get leading. Likewise, a too-hard bullet alloy may not deform under pressure from behind and seal up the bore.

Thank you for editing tip. ; )

 

[ReloaderFred]

Some 9x19 barrels can measure as large as .359", and some as small as .354" in diameter. It would be best if you could slug the barrel and find out the actual diameter of your barrel. This is done by cleaning the barrel, and then applying a coat of oil to it. Take a soft lead slug that is slightly larger than the bore of the barrel and use a brass rod to gently drive it through the barrel. Then you measure across the high points of the slug and that will tell you the diameter of your barrel, and let you know what size cast bullets will work best.

I have several bullets that I cast that I use in both .38 Special and 9x19, and sometimes in the .38 Super. You never know until you try.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ArchAngelCD]

But, but, but, the OP is just assuming the .356" bullets are the wrong size because someone told him those bullets are wrong for a Beretta 92FS, not because he's having a problem with leading or inaccuracy. Why worry about bullet size and change everything around to use a different bullet than usual before you even know if there's a problem?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Which is why I suggested slugging the barrel.

What the OP needs to do is what we did before there was an internet, load up a few and give them a try, rather than depend on anonymous strangers (like us) for advice...........

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[jolly roger]

Most 92 barrels run about .357. I use MBC 140 grain Cowboy 14 .358s seated just to the bottom edge of the crimp groove then kissed with a taper crimp. Starting load of Power Pistol for a 147 grain 9mm load. Makes my 92FS shoot like a match gun in comparison to 356 bullets which sucked. Go figure...No problems at all as long as you stay starting in powder charge.