Resizing Ranier Plated 38 Boolits for 9mm

[TheClasonater]

Hi all! I have inherited about a thousand Rainer 125 grain boolits meant for 38 special. I don't own a 38. Could I theoretically pick up a Lee boolit sizing die and size these down to .356? Anyone tried that? I inherited more but those are 158 lswc. So a 38 might move up to the short list of next purchases anyway hahaha.

 

[bullseye308]

I wouldn’t think so with them being plated.

 

[fxvr5]

You don't necessarily need to size them down. If a loaded round fits in your chamber, you're good to go.

 

[MEHavey]

Shoot them as-is/0.357"
(That's where I size all my cast for 9mm anyway)

 

[Soonerpesek]

You don't necessarily need to size them down. If a loaded round fits in your chamber, you're good to go.

Shoot them as-is/0.357"
(That's where I size all my cast for 9mm anyway)

Both true……….but where has the enabling gone in this group…..!!!
OP, you’d best purchase a 38/357 and be safe…….!!!!

 

[LV Gun]

Do what I did slug your bore I have a S&W 929 PC 8 shot revolver in 9mm I could not hit the broad side of a barn with it so I slugged the barrel and measured the cylinder throats with pin gauges both measured .357 . I switched to .357 bullets and now it is very accurate.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have a S&W 929 PC 8 shot revolver ...the barrel and measured the cylinder throats with pin gauges both measured .357

That's how they are spec'd from the factory.

I just bough a few thousand .357" RMR 147gr MW bullets to feed mine

 

[LV Gun]

That's how they are spec'd from the factory.

I just bough a few thousand .357" RMR 147gr MW bullets to feed mine

I have a S&W 627PC 8 shot revolver in 38 super that one is .355 but I understand the barrels for them were made by Lothar/ Walther not in house at S&W or Thompson Center like the 929’s were. In the 929 I have been using Blue Bullets .357 125gr RN those have worked very well. I will have to take a look at RMR .

 

[illinoisburt]

If you were concerned with the bullets being oversized, run the loaded rounds though a Lee factory crimp die. Usually we all grumble about the carbide ring squishing down an intentionally oversized lead bullet. That might actually be a good thing for your plates ones.

 

[TheClasonater]

Thanks for the replies fellers! I'll load up a few to test as is.

If you were concerned with the bullets being oversized, run the loaded rounds though a Lee factory crimp die. Usually we all grumble about the carbide ring squishing down an intentionally oversized lead bullet. That might actually be a good thing for your plates ones.

I was loading up a large batch of 45acp after I posted the thread and this thought hit me while I was crimping. Gonna test this one out too.

 

[Walkalong]

I've run plated ".38 Caliber" 125 Gr bullets in 9MM before, chrono couldn't tell the difference in them and "9MM" 124/5s.

 

[dh1633pm]

I use them interchangeably with no issues.

 

[TheClasonater]

I've run plated ".38 Caliber" 125 Gr bullets in 9MM before, chrono couldn't tell the difference in them and "9MM" 124/5s.

I think this is whats gonna end up happening. I think I've read through too many threads discussing pressure over the years haha.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Both true……….but where has the enabling gone in this group…..!!!
OP, you’d best purchase a 38/357 and be safe…….!!!!

This ^^^^^

We live in a plastixfantastix 9mmWick world. Old fashioned .38Spl revolvers are cheap. They’re just so Reed & Malloy. Kinda like short hair and showering daily.

.38Spl brass is cheap. Revolver brass lasts pretty much forever and you don’t have to chase it.

Lee dies, 2.5-3.0gr of any fast-ish pistol powder and the same standard small pistol primers used for 9mm. What’s not to like?

 

[N555]

Sounds like an excuse to buy a 357mag to me.

 

[mdi]

Interference fit between .356" and .357" bullets is .0005". Meaning only .0005" more metal is engaging the barrel...

 

[TheClasonater]

This ^^^^^

We live in a plastixfantastix 9mmWick world. Old fashioned .38Spl revolvers are cheap. They’re just so Reed & Malloy. Kinda like short hair and showering daily.

My only polymer wonder is a p365. Everything else is wood and steel, and will continue to be that way...

Interference fit between .356" and .357" bullets is .0005". Meaning only .0005" more metal is engaging the barrel...

Ya, I think the "I'm overthinking this" bug got me.