Question about some bullets

[gamestalker]

I was in my LGS a couple days ago and saw some Speer 125 gr. Gold Dots for .357 mag.. Today I decided to load some up, but when I opened the box I immediately discovered they were for.357 sig.. I was in a hurry and managed to make the mistake, however the LGS won't allow me to exchange them because:

A. I don't have the receipt

B. I have already cut the Speer label that seals the box

So I'm now stuck trying to find a use for them, maybe 9mm?. They are Speer part # 4360 and specification on the label states they are .355", however, I measured them and they measure .356". I then measured an actual 9mm Gold Dot, and it is .355", so were talking .001" variance. Then the type of load I would be using is a fairly full pressure Longshot load, about mid table. I've never even considered using a component not intended for the corresponding cartridge before, but thought I might see what some of the more experienced of us might think. I'm thinking not, at least with the powder I'm considering.

GS

 

[Twmaster]

You should be able to use them in 9MM even if .355"

 

[plmitch]

Use them or trade them on here.

 

[gamestalker]

Actually Twmaster, the issue I'm considering is that the .357 Sig Gold Dotss are measuring.356", 9mm jacketed bullets measure .355". So using a full pressure load with Longshot, which is going to be running an estimated 32,000 - 33,000 psi with a .355" jacketed bullet, not .356", so won't pressures go up? .001" larger seems like it would create significantly higher pressures in a jacketed load, that's also utilizing a full pressure slow burning powder, such as Longshot.

Then again maybe I can try to argue with the LGS about the fact that the bullets in the box are not the correct specified diameter of .355" as stated on the box. That issue in it's self seems unusual and unacceptable for a self defense bullet rated as highly as the Gold Dot to be out of spec so drastically.

GS

 

[41 Mag]

Gold Dots are damn good bullets IMO. The issue of them being .356 when your other bullets measure .355 is a moot point in this particular case.

The GD's are a lead bullet which has been coated with a copper jacket, where the other is a copper gilding materiel swadged around a lead core. The latter is a bit harder to deform and is a bit more brittle as well after work hardening during the swadging.

Think of the GD in terms of a superior plated cast bullet. Speer has the process down pat and have been doing it for years. The 357 Sig runs at some pretty high pressures as well so the worst you might see is if your working up to your favorite load with them having to stop a grain or so below where you normally do.

Those GD's will swadge down to fit your barrel pretty easily and if I were you I would simply give some a ride and see how they do. You might be surprised to find they actually might shoot better than the other billets you have been using. Just follow the #1 rule in loading and start low and work up looking for pressure. As for the difference your talking .0005 per side in reality, which I doubt with the softer bullet is going to make a hill of beans.

As a side note, I ran quite a few boxes of 180gr GD's designed for the 41 AE through my 41 magnum with loads ranging from target to full magnum, and had no issues with them what so ever. I know it might be apples to oranges, but they all shot extremely well even at pressures they weren't actually designed to be run at.

 

[Kurastduuks]

I would definitely load and shoot. Out of curiosity have you slugged the bore on the 9mm you plan on shooting them through?
Or you could get really inventive and go ahead and load them in a 357 and try to bump the pressure high enough to seal the bore...ive done this with super light undersized cast but never a jacketed or plated bullet. That may be much harder to do.

 

[steve4102]

So using a full pressure load with Longshot, which is going to be running an estimated 32,000 - 33,000 psi with a .355" jacketed bullet, not .356", so won't pressures go up?

Then the type of load I would be using is a fairly full pressure Longshot load, about mid table.

I get the impression here that you wish to load these bullets with an existing powder charge without working the load up. I apologize if I am misreading your intentions.

You are an experience loader, you know what the correct procedure is here.
Anytime you change a component you should drop the charge down and work back up.

 

[witchhunter]

GS, are you loading 9mm or .357? I too am confused.

 

[buck460XVR]

On their website, Speer claims that the 125gr for .357 Sig is the same diameter as the 124 for 9mm. This tells me that being 1/1000th oversize is within their manufacturing tolerances. Since the 125 is intended for .357 velocities, it may have a harder lead core and/or thicker copper plating than the bullets intended for 9mm. Similar to GDs intended for hunting as compared to GDs intended for SD outta a .357 mag. How many times have we seen folks asking about getting .452 .45 caliber bullets by mistake for their .45ACPs instead of the standard .451s? Working a load or making a trade/sale for one box of 100 bullets seems more bother than it's worth. Me, I'd load 'em down and shoot 'em. Accuracy should be good enough for a plinkin' load.

Most places I buy components from have a strict policy about no returns, for obviously good reasons. The local Gander Mountain has a alert that comes up and the check out tells you this when the components are scanned. There is also a statement printed on the receipt about it. Gamaliel Shooting Supply sent me the wrong bullets once, their mistake, and still make a big stink about taking them back. GDs are a expensive mistake, bet you won't make it again, eh?

 

[ReloaderFred]

It's been covered several times, but if you haven't slugged the barrel on your 9mm, you may find it varies from .355" to .358" in diameter, since I've found 9mm barrels within that range.

I've loaded the Gold Dot bullets (that bullet to be exact) in 9x19, 357 Sig and .38 Super, all without any problems whatsoever.

You might just be over thinking this, somewhat. I also know of no supplier who will take back bullets, primers, powder or brass. There are too many unscrupulous people in the world. After all, some people in our sport go into gun stores and steal live ammunition from the middle of a box and then put it back on the shelf........

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

Years ago I bought some .355 9MM and .356 .38 Super 125 Gr Zeros to try. After finding that the .356 shot very well in either caliber, I quit buying the .355 and started shooting the .356 in both 9MM and .38 Super.

 

[gamestalker]

Ok, sorry for the confusion. I bought a box of Speer 125 gr. .357 sig Gold Dots. My intentions were to have bought 125 gr. Gold Dot .357 mag. bullets, but I grabbed the wrong box.

Now my question. These .357 sig 125 gr. Gold dots measure .356", but the box is labeled .355". I won't run them through my .357 mag. they lack a canelure and my H110 / 296 loads present a problem in this respect, so I'm wondering id I can use them for 9mm with standard Longshot loads.

Or, because they are a full .001" larger than the .355" printed on the label, should I attempt to make the LGS let me trade them for something I use. Being the type of reloader I am, I'll probably chalk it up to a mistake and just give those bullets to someone that wants them.

Thanks ReloaderFred, buck469XVR and everyone else. Your advice was very helpful, and yes, I probably am over thinking this some. I think I'l try a few at start charge and see how they do from one of my 9mm's.



And no, I don't work foolishly at the bench with new components, which explains why I didn't inquire about the charge.

GS

 

[Walkalong]

Confusion?

Yes, you can shoot them in 9MM. The extra .001 is no big deal. .357 is just .40 necked to 9MM. 9MM bores are often over .355, and even if yours is .355, a .356 bullet will work just fine.

Go for it.

 

[gamestalker]

Thanks again all!

GS