9mm Success! 135gr MBC .357"

[Ozarkrick]

I own two 9mm handguns: an IMI baby eagle (all steel, excellent shooter) and a CZ75 (European police turn-in, condition excellent-J&G deal). I reloaded both 115 and 124 FMJ & Plated bullets and found the accuracy from all my loads was acceptable, but not great (six shot groups = 3 to 3.5" at 25 yds from the bench with sandbags). I tried Bullseye, Power Pistol, Unique, HS-6, even Reddot looking for the magic 2" load. I tried with and without the Lee factory crimp die, still no change. Then I read that greater accuracy could be achieved (in some cases) by using bullets sized slightly larger. It worked for my 30 caliber cast bullets in my 03', why not for 9MM? So I ordered 500 Missouri Bullet Company (MBC) 135 grain .357" LRN hard cast bullets (made for the 38 super) and I used 147gr loading data to be on the safe side. Using 3.5 grs and 3.9grs of Unique, WSP, mixed brass, LFC die, OAL: 1.30" I made my first batch of 50 each. Results WOW! 2 to 2-1/2" groups with very light recoil and no leading. After more refinement, I have standardized the load= 9MM: Mixed brass, Wolf SP primer, 3.9 grains Unique, Lee FC die, MBC 135gr sized .357", AOL 1.125" Oh, and the cost per 1K is $30 less than plated or jacketed. I just got 6K more .

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You have just proven what many of us have learned over the years. Bullet fit is the most important factor in accuracy. Many play with different powders, different charge weights, seating depth, turning the necks on the brass and so on and so on. This is why when someone comes here complaining of poor accuracy one of the first posts you will see will tell them to slug the barrel.

You found the problem and now you can load very accurate ammo for 2 very nice pistols and shoot on the cheap compared to jacketed bullets and especially factory ammo. Well done!

 

[Potatohead]

This may be one of those obvious things and it's flying right over my head but why don't they make any jacketed bullets bigger than .355 for 9mm? Or do they and i've just never seen them? PH

 

[Jesse Heywood]

This may be one of those obvious things and it's flying right over my head but why don't they make any jacketed bullets bigger than .355 for 9mm? Or do they and i've just never seen them? PH

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...uper-356-diameter-130-grain-full-metal-jacket

 

[Thompsoncustom]

The down side to running over sided jacketed bullets it you get some pretty heavy copper fouling.

Ozarkrick: does your bullets still measure .357 after you use the factory crimp die? Alot of FCD push the bullet down around .356 so much sure you pull a loaded round and check you could be losing out on a little more accuracy. Not saying you would gain anything but as long as the bullet will still chamber there's no such thing as to big of a cast bullet.

 

[918v]

There is no downside when your bore is oversized.

 

[Anmut]

Nice loads! btw I own a IWI Baby Eagle too and it has a polygonal rifled barrel - you may want to make sure you're not sending lead bullets down your IWI if it has the same type of rifling.