Noob to 9mm reloading... "bulges" where the bullet seats?

[LiveLife]

I measured a dozen of these MBC pills and they were .358 or .359.

Are you sure? Unless you requested larger sized bullets, they should be .356" ...

 

[1KPerDay]

I didn't, and they are. Unless my calipers are off. But it looks like they'll work at least in my Sig...

 

[1SOW]

http://www.missouribullet.com/ContactUs.php

I would. Had a similar problem with Precision Delta 124 fmj. They sent me 500 more that were still way out of reasonable spec. Maybe you can get some free ones for your Sig.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks... I emailed them and told them the situation, and asked what they thought. I guess I could always load these .358 pills in .38 specials, right?

 

[Deavis]

MBC sent me some 38spl bullets that were sized to 9mm, had a shipping label for return and replacements very shortly. Exactly the opposite of your issue it seems. Did you call Brad about it, he is very helpful.

Now I'm thinking I might have been smart to get the factory crimp die after all

You found the real problem, no need to cover it up with a band-aid. Glad it wasn't your actual setup.

 

[1KPerDay]

Well Brad got back to me quick, apologized for the mixup, and is sending me replacements. Can't argue with that kind of customer service.

BTW out of curiosity I opened the other box of '.356 9mm 125 grain smallball' and measured a dozen of those; all measured .358 or .3585.

I wondered if my calipers might be reading "high" so measured a few ".308" norma bullets and pulled surplus .308 FMJ and all measured .308 or .3075, and my ".452" .45 ACPs measured .4515, and some Speer ".38 caliber lead round nose" measured .358 so I guess my calipers are working okay.


I had every confidence that MBC would provide excellent customer service based on their reputation (which is why I ordered from them in the first place).

 

[1KPerDay]

So, out of curiosity:

1. Do you think these loaded rounds would be SAFE to fire through my SIG (or the beretta)? As noted, they hand cycle fine. What if anything would be the disadvantage to shooting .358 or .359 pills through a 9mm? Leading? Excess pressure?

2. Assuming the answer to #1 is no (not safe), would a factory crimp die size these down properly? I assume so... I realize it's not ideal but I'm just weighing my options. I'll pull these if I have to but I'd rather not. I only loaded about 65 or so, luckily.

3. Do you think .358 125 LRN bullets would work well in .38 specials? The bullets are not as tall as the 158s I have around of course. I know of several people who load specially sized .357 "9mm" 125 grain plated pills for their .38 specials for steel shooting and stuff.

 

[LiveLife]

Have you slugged your barrel to determine the groove diameter?

That will give us more information as if the barrel is oversized, shooting .357"-.359" diameter lead bullet would be less of an issue as I would simply do another workup from slightly below start charge.

If the barrel was not oversized (.355"), then it would be another issue.

 

[Walkalong]

I shot some 125 Gr .358 plated .38 Spl bullets through a 9MM not long ago to see how they would shoot if I was in a pinch and had no 9MM bullets. They shot just fine.

Powerbond 125 Gr HP (.358), 4.9 Grs SR-4756, 1.050 O.A.L.(+/- .002), WSP primer. 1050 Avg FPS from a 5" 1911 in low 90's weather.

Use this load at your own risk.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks. No, bds, I have not slugged the barrel.

Could I use a standard Speer bevel base .38 wadcutter to do that or would I need some pure soft lead? I assume the 18 brinell MBC pills are not ideal for that.

 

[LiveLife]

Softer lead shot would be easier, but you can hammer the .358" bullet so it is .360" and tap it into the barrel and tap out to measure the groove diameter.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'll measure a few of the lead balls I have lying around and see if I can find one close.

Would the .358 not be large enough in diameter to do a proper slug test?

 

[LiveLife]

I guess as most 9mm barrels are .355"-.357" with some as large as .358"-.359".

Try the .358" bullet and if the groove diameter is .355"-.357", you are good. If it comes out at .358", then you'll need to use a larger slug.

 

[1KPerDay]

Cool; thanks again as always.

 

[greyling22]

I don't see that anyone actually answered your question about the bulges at the top. It's because the 9mm is a tapered case like the 30 carbine, and as far as I can tell, dies don't actually size it at a taper, but more of a straight wall. Don't sweat it. I actually stopped sizing the whole case. I just go a tad more than halfway now. Easier to size, and (this is important, be sure to test YOUR gun) they still fit in the chamber fine.

 

[TAM2277]

I had the same bulging issue when I first started reloading 9mm. The Lee FCD should take care of the bulging coming from the base of the bullet. Hope that helps.

 

[918v]

The Lee 9mm FCD does not remove those kinds of bulges.

 

[LiveLife]

When seating the bullets there's a noticeable bulge where the bottom of the bullet sits.

Just think of that bullet and case the same way you would a woman in a tight dress.

9mm really shows the bulge ... They look like a coke bottle but they will shoot great.

Coke-bottle shapes are generally pleasing to shooters.

Case neck gets resized smaller than the diameter of the bullet and the "bulge" indicates you have good neck tension. Since 9mm is tapered case (base is larger than case neck), the finished rounds look like a "woman in a tight dress" or "coke bottle" especially for larger diameter lead bullets.

 

[TAM2277]

If using an EGW U -die to resize, then the FCD will not take the bulge out.
If using a hornady sizer die, then the FCD will work. This is based on my experience.
I haven't used rcbs or lee dies so I can't comment on those. I currently use PD bullets.