.355 or .356

[rvenneman]

Should I use a .355 or .356 Lee bullet resizer for my cast .380 and 9mm?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I would the .356. That is the diameter of most cast bullets for the 380/9mm. You can also slug and measure the bore to determine the diameter.

 

[AFK]

Yep, slug the bore(s) of your pistol(s) then add .001-.002 on average to that dimension. When it comes to cast bullets, a bullet that doesn't lead one barrel may lead up another.

 

[mdi]

You won't know for sure until you know the groove diameter of the barrel. Easiest way is to slug the barrel; https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/Slugging-Handgun-Barrels/ I have found 9mm barrels to run from .356" to .358" so my bullets are sized .358" to .359"+ to properly fit the barrels. Check the loaded rounds with the "Plunk test" to insure good feeding/chambering with larger cast bullets...

 

[TRX]

Try them both. If one of them is more accurate, use that one.

 

[Walkalong]

.356 is the better bet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, the .356" sizer is your best bet.

 

[Cannibul]

Use the .356 and hope it's actually .356

I size all my 9mm cast bullets to .357 using the NOE sizing die.

 

[mdi]

FWIW, if you don't have facts, ie.; measurements, it's all a WAG. Not just fitting bullets, but any situation where something doesn't fit...

 

[GooseGestapo]

Neither.
I used .356 for several decades. Mixed results. Finally slugged various 9's I have. Most want .357", one shoots like a $1,000 gun with .358" (Taurus PT99!).
Wish I'd questioned conventional wisdom many years ago!!!

 

[rvenneman]

How can I safely slug the barrel?

 

[mdi]

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...69i57j6j0l2.7248j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[1KPerDay]

I ask MBC to size my SmallBall to .358" for my .357" bore SIG and Beretta. Both shoot fine with .356" plated or standard FMJ but they like .358" lead pills.