MBC Smallball?

[Shinbone]

I am having trouble cycling MBC smallball through my Taurus PT92AFS. They don't seem to chamber all the way so it causes the PT92 to lockup. The COAL is 1.125". I think that the reloads are just a bit too large in diameter. I noticed some size differences. The outside diameter of the reloads is .377. Factory ammo is .375. Plus, the chamber drop test is ok with factory, but the reloads won't chamber quite as far. I think that is the problem. Should I seat the MBC bullets a bit deeper? If I can't get them to chamber properly, I'm going to have a lot of bullet pulling to do.
I didn't think to bring factory loads so I need to do that next time I head to the range.
I'm just curious to know if anyone has experienced a similar problem.
Thanks.
PS. I just noticed that at the MBC website, they recommend seating to 1.08". I assume that is COAL? If so, there is my problem.

 

[ljnowell]

It seems everyone on here that I have ever see load them has stated they have to be loaded short because of the bullet ogive.

Have you done the sharpie marker test to see where it's hitting?

 

[Shinbone]

No, haven't done that. I think if I can seat to 1.08, that will solve the issue.

 

[moxie]

I shoot a lot of MBC Smallball 124RNL. OAL is ~1.114"and OD at the case mouth is .378".

The factory ammo with .375OD is probably jacketed. Cast lead bullets typically run .001-.002 fatter than jacketed. Your .377" is perfect.

Are you actually shooting them or just function checking and plunk testing? It's not unusual when plunk testing cast reloads for the round to be rather sluggish when dropping into the chamber. And when function checking you have to be sure to slingshot the slide smartly. If you follow it in it might fail to go into battery. So try shooting.

You might try reseating to ~1.115" and see if that helps. Or the recommended 1.08". I just now noticed that on the website. I've been using the 1.114-5 for years with good results.

 

[Shinbone]

Yes, the factory ammo is jacketed. I'm actually shooting them, but lots of failure to go into battery and the slide jams up. Takes a lot of work to get the slide open with an unfired round partially in the chamber. Rather an unsafe condition.

 

[LiveLife]

MBC SmallBall has shorter/rounder nose profile that requires it to be loaded shorter than typical RN/stepped RN or the longer bullet base will hit the start of rifling (see comparison picture below) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9881654#post9881654

My 9mm barrels will fully chamber up to 1.100" but due to mixed range brass resized length variations, I use 1.080" OAL/COL.

Comparison picture below shows MBC SmallBall loaded to 1.080"

Walkalong has an excellent thread to determine max/working OAL/COL - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

 

[z7]

I have yo load small ball to 1.04" to chamber in both of my 9mm barrels, I had to ask on here as well to ensure o wasn't going to blow myself up. Mine shoot really well with 5.0g of BE-86 mixed brass

 

[Rule3]

A common issue with that bullet. They should re name it to Fat Ball

It shoots fine, just need to load it shorter and compensate with your powder charge. I load it very short in my CZ.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Shinbone - Follow Walkalong's thread and do the plunk test. If that works, then check for magazine fit and feeding. In my Kahr 1.056 passed the plunk test, but the cartridge mouth stuck in the magazine and failed to feed. I am not willing to modify magazines. which cost the same as a box of the bullets. The bullet is loaded only for my P38.

 

[Lj1941]

I also had to load them a lot shorter than other LRN bullets. Once they passed the plunk test I was good to go in my M&P9 full size.They also function and shoot fine in my newly acquired Taurus PT111 Gen2. They are a good shooting bullet in both 9s with 3.8 grains of Red Dot.

 

[rbernie]

It seems everyone on here that I have ever see load them has stated they have to be loaded short because of the bullet ogive.

Pretty much so.

 

[Shinbone]

Thank you all so much. A wealth of information here.

 

[Kaldor]

A common issue with that bullet. They should re name it to Fat Ball

It shoots fine, just need to load it shorter and compensate with your powder charge. I load it very short in my CZ.

Hit the nail on the head. I loaded 200 of these a little long and had similar issues to the OP on my M&P's. Shortened the OAL to 1.09 and had no issues with both Titegroup and PowerPistol.