Need help with 9mm

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simon_rook

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I have a chance to pick up some factory second jacketed HP. Seconds because these are .354" Would they be safe in 9mm luger loads for a Sig 229 or SP2022? Probably another dumb question but I'm new and figure I'll get a better answer than asking the guy whos trying to sell them to me :confused:
 
They will be fine, and you won't know about accuracy until you try them. I expect they will shoot just fine.

I slugged my 229 and it's actually over size, 0.357"
Plenty of 9MM barrels are over .355, yet shoot very well with .355 bullets.
 
Mr Rook -

You might start by pushing a LEAD 357 bullet down your barrel and measuring the slug that pops out. The closer to .355" you are, then the happier you'll be with your new bullets.
 
I can't speak to what your results would be with a Sig. Here's mine with an XD. I bought a bulk package of Rainier factory seconds and have had mixed results. The accuracy is great, that attached image is more accurate than several groups I shot that day with .355 ammo. Note the charge though. I don't know if it's Rainier, the bullet diameter or both, but while staying with that OAL, and going up in .2gr increments that was the lowest charge that would reliably cycle. I've loaded a few hundred of them so far and seen no indications that they are unsafe.

Rfwobby - Thanks for the idea. I'd been wanting to slug my 9mms, but hadn't thought of that.
 

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Since I normally shoot 0.357" and 0.358" bullets in various 9x19s, I just wonder what danger you expect from a bullet that is 0.001" smaller than nominal? Particularly if you barrel is in the normal range for 9x19 of 0.355-0.362"?
There are two dangers, which apply no matter what the specific bullet diameter is. The first would be NOT starting with the relevant starting load and working up. The second danger would be if your expander increased the case ID (where the bullet will be seated) to 0.354" or larger such that the bullets would NOT be held tight by friction with the case and you suffered bullet set-back when a round is chambered. This is something critical to check with all cartridges, but particularly 9x19 and .40S&W loads.
 
The crimp die has nothing to do with bullet set back. Neck tension holds the bullet.

noylj is right, make sure you have adequate neck tension with those bullets.
 
The under size .356" shoots just fine in my over size .357 barrel. I mainly shoot Berry's plated and theirs seam to run 0.3565" so there is not much difference. I have shot the Hornady XTP and have not noticed any decrease in accuracy.

Here's a little tip I picked up on the www a while back on slugging a barrel. First you need to get some pure lead. Some of the new fishing weights are alloy so do the finger nail test to see if there soft. I then use a spend/fired case (unsized) and melt the lead into it, may need to warm the brass to get a ripple free cast. Use a Kenetic bullet puller to remove the slug. Due to how brass is made it will have a taper end on the base end. This makes it easy to start and since it's a fired case just a few thousandths over size so your not have a lot of forming to do. Use a file or sander to clean the ends up. Now remove your barrel and run a oil soaked patch through it to lube it up. Starting from the chamber end drop the slug, taper end down and tap it through using a wood dowel or brass rod protecting the crown. Once it's starts I found I can finish knocking it through by holding the barrel in my free hand while tapping on it. I used a dead blow soft head hammer for this. Once it comes out all you need to do is measure it.
 
Surplus? That just means you don't shoot enough ;)

Gimme a call when you get back and we'll meet up at the marksman
 
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