armoredman
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rsrockett1, that second one down looks a lot like mine. Set up exactly the same way, but I'm using up a bunch of pink powdercoat. 
My cast pc'ed bullets shot like crap, need help!
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AR-Bossman
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Ok somewhat of an update. Got my order in that had my .358 Lee sizer. So I sized some PC'd 125-2R bullets to .358 and proceeded to test fit in my .38spl M die opened up 9mm cases. These cases fit my case gauge pre-bullet just fine.
I then installed the .358 sized bullet into the case and... it wouldn't fit the gauge. Hmmm... did some marker ink testing to find the offending area and it turns out a ridge forms about .250" up from the bottom of the case. Won't fit in my gun chamber either. So I run it through the FCD just to see if it can fix it... nope.
So I try a couple more.. all form this ridge. So that ends this experiment with this bullet. I may try a .358 120-TC bullet or the 105-SWC. They may not be as invasive as the 125-2R.
If you have any ideas have at it.
I then installed the .358 sized bullet into the case and... it wouldn't fit the gauge. Hmmm... did some marker ink testing to find the offending area and it turns out a ridge forms about .250" up from the bottom of the case. Won't fit in my gun chamber either. So I run it through the FCD just to see if it can fix it... nope.
So I try a couple more.. all form this ridge. So that ends this experiment with this bullet. I may try a .358 120-TC bullet or the 105-SWC. They may not be as invasive as the 125-2R.
If you have any ideas have at it.
OK, I skimmed thru thread and read where you are (were) seating to an 1.098 OAL and that could be too short for that bullet and the bullet base may be into a deeper/thicker case wall thickness.
1.150"-1.160" would be better.
Also, I didn't see where you said what brass you use, all one brand or mixed range brass.
Know that different brands of brass vary in case wall thickness, some even have stepped side walls
Here's a pic of some Speer "range brass" I picked up recently:
Blazer:
If you are seating bullets below the steps shown, you will see a pronounced bulge from it.
Just one more reason to wet tumble to get the inside of cases squeaky clean for inspection
Some brass has a reputation of having thinner walls, without taper, and are better for deep seating of oversized bullets.
I try and load 0.357"/0.358" diameter bullets into R-P cases for 9mm.
You/we will get this sorted out, it's a common problem, it could be a tight chamber gun though.
Lot's of shooters order aftermarket barrels and find out the chambers to be too tight/short throated to plunk their current loads.
Many send them back, with a dummy round, and have it re-reamed bigger, I have a Storm Lake 9mm like that, but I live with it, never sent it back...yet.
jmo
Edit: just went thru this with a new gun, I have all the sizers Lee sells in the 0.355-0.358 range.
New gun no problem with 0.358" bullets and culled brass, one older gun not so much, the Storm Lake barrel
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earplug
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My LEE and SAECO cast 9MM bullets work best sized to .358. Do not use the LEE FC die. When I have used this die and I had poor results.
Try shooting some unsized before spending money on a new sizer die. This will give you a good test if this is a cure. You will need a sizer most likely to produce bullets that don't cause loading issues.
Try shooting some unsized before spending money on a new sizer die. This will give you a good test if this is a cure. You will need a sizer most likely to produce bullets that don't cause loading issues.
armoredman
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I am, of course the lone duck who has had good luck sizing the .356 AND loading to 1.095. But that's apparently just me. I also ditched the 125 grain single lube groove bullets, fat ogive just wouldn't work well with any of my CZ pistols
Most people use the 38s&w lee expander for the 9mm, not a 38spl m-die. Last I knew (1 own a 38spl m-die) the 38spl m-die had too long of a body/expand too deep in the case to get the "flare" needed to seat the bullet.
Myself I made a custom expander for the 9mm's.
No problem loading .358" bullets in the 9mm's. A mihec 125gr hp fn (green) & a old lyman (1st molds sold in 1900) 35870 hb fn (red)
.
FWIW:
I shot countless 1000's of those lee 2r bullets, sold the 6-cavity mold to brother & he's still using it to this day. Bullets cast/sized to .357"
The only difference between the Lyman 9mm M die and the .38 Spl M die is the length of the die body. The guts are the same.
AR-Bossman
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I don't think that is true. http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/Cast_Bullet/Lyman_M-Dies/Lyman_M-Die_Plugs.html
38AP .353 .357 .354 .356 P/N 7129050 (used for 9mm)
38P .356 .360 .357 .359
That's exactly where I'm at. My pistol is a CZ and I had failure to feeds on my first outing with the 2R bullet.
I'm not sure if people are just stuffing a .358 in their cases and hoping all goes well, but I do know I can get a .358 in a 9mm case but when I pull the bullet to inspect it is mangled and far worse shape than a .356 pulled bullet. I'm still gonna explore this .358 stuff with shorter bullets.
It's been mentioned before but you seem not to understand it
The "M" die expander pictured in that link is way too long for 9mm, could be a generic pic though, and would expand the web of a 9mm case, creating a bulge.
Unless your "M" die expander is way shorter, I would no use it.
Put the "M" die expander next to the Lee expander to compare the lengths too verify the depth of expansion.
Line up the "M" exp to a 9mm case and see if it is entering the case web/thicker portion of the case..
Just get THIS insert for your Lee ptx die as suggested many times before:
https://leeprecision.com/pm-expan-plg-38-s-w.html
The expanding dia. is bigger than the 9mm expander BUT not longer, it's what many others use to solve the exact same common problem you are having.
Have you checked the case wall thickness or look for steps as suggested?
Whew, done here as it seems you are ignoring helpful posts.
Maybe this negative post will get a responce, or me added to the OP's ignore list
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Both my .38 SPL and 9mm M dies came with the same plug in them. A plain old 38. They are Loctited in now so I really can't remove them and measure them.
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Just an idea, but take a fired case and seat a sized bullet into the case. You may have to add a little flare to get the bullet started straight. You want to be able to chamber the empty case so don't add too much flare. Seat the bullet to around 1.110 and check to see if it will chamber as you gradually seat it deeper. Once it chambers that is your maximum length, but you will need some tolerance especially with powder coat. So continue to seat it deeper until the ridge you describe starts to form in the case. This is your max length. Set your working length in the middle of these measurements. If the ridge forms before you can chamber a round then the brass/bullet combo will not work for your gun. A case gauge is good to have to randomly check loaded FMJ rounds, but your often operating outside the "normal" spec with cast bullets. You are loading ammo for your gun so use you barrel as your gauge. The round doesn't have to fit every gun just yours. A loaded round should drop in and freely fall from the chamber. No need to go to the range to test, just have your barrel close by on the bench.
Not sure what you mean by the bullet being more mangled. If you mean scraping on the sides don't forget sometimes you have to chamfer the inside of the case mouth.
The 2r profile has to be seated deeper due to the profile. Add this to the CZ chamber you can expect to have problems.The CZ pistols are known to have a tight chamber (short throat). I'd suggest trying Remington brass since in my experience it is the thinnest. If you cant get a working length with this combo then it's time to start to look at different profile molds.
It sounds like the loaded round is getting caught on the ridged that is formed on the case. 9mm is a tapered case and the brass gets thicker the closer you get to the web. So in theory a bullet sized .358, which isn't seated as deep, will chamber.
Finally another option if you really like the gun and plan to keep it. Find a gunsmith that can ream the throat of the chamber. That way you will never have to worry about it chambering cast bullets.
Not sure what you mean by the bullet being more mangled. If you mean scraping on the sides don't forget sometimes you have to chamfer the inside of the case mouth.
The 2r profile has to be seated deeper due to the profile. Add this to the CZ chamber you can expect to have problems.The CZ pistols are known to have a tight chamber (short throat). I'd suggest trying Remington brass since in my experience it is the thinnest. If you cant get a working length with this combo then it's time to start to look at different profile molds.
It sounds like the loaded round is getting caught on the ridged that is formed on the case. 9mm is a tapered case and the brass gets thicker the closer you get to the web. So in theory a bullet sized .358, which isn't seated as deep, will chamber.
Finally another option if you really like the gun and plan to keep it. Find a gunsmith that can ream the throat of the chamber. That way you will never have to worry about it chambering cast bullets.
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