Loading 9mm Projectiles in 38spl cases.

[arakboss]

Any tips or tricks to loading 9mm projectiles (all kinds) in 38spl cases?


This guy had decent success.

View: https://youtu.be/RulwrMBQ8nw?feature=shared

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[RVTECH]

Been doing it forever - in both .38 and .357..

Just ensure proper seating depth and lightly crimp - preferably taper or with a Lee factory crimp die.

Oh, they are more accurate in light to moderate loads than high velocity.

 

[nammac]

Interesting concept using 9 mm projectiles in a .38 Special or .357 Magnum. I can see how that would work, but would require working up each load combination, carefully watching for signs of over pressure.

 

[arakboss]

Interesting concept using 9 mm projectiles in a .38 Special or .357 Magnum. I can see how that would work, but would require working up each load combination, carefully watching for signs of over pressure.

My guess would be pressures for a given 38spl load may be slightly reduced since you would be sending a looser bullet down the barrel.

I would be concerned with looser cast bullets and the greater potential for leading, if gases are able to get past the base of looser bullets. That should be a non-issue with coated cast bullets?

 

[arakboss]

I bought some heavy plated berrys bullets many years ago that I was going to try and run in 357 sig loads. They are listed as .356 diameter. I have since acquired better fmj/hp bullets to use for 357 sig and was thinking about trying to use the berrys thick plate bullets in 38spl loads. They are rated for a maximum of 1250fps velocity so they may work in some 357mag loads as well.

124 Grain 9mm | 9mm Bullets For Reloading | Best 9mm Bullets

These 124 Grain 9mm reloading bullets are hollow base bullets that can be bought in bulk. Berry's bulk 9mm bullets are high quality, accurate, and consistent.

www.berrysmfg.com

357 diameter bullets always sell out fast and cost more at American Reloading. If 9mm bullets will work, it could save a person some money.

Current 9mm selection:

American Reloading

American Reloading

americanreloading.com

Current 357 selection:

American Reloading

American Reloading

americanreloading.com

 

[Capn Jack]

I use a cast 145gr HP in both my .38Spl. and my 9mm just different powder loads and different powders.

 

[nammac]

I bought some heavy plated berrys bullets many years ago that I was going to try and run in 357 sig loads. They are listed as .356 diameter. I have since acquired better fmj/hp bullets to use for 357 sig and was thinking about trying to use the berrys thick plate bullets in 38spl loads. They are rated for a maximum of 1250fps velocity so they may work in some 357mag loads as well.

124 Grain 9mm | 9mm Bullets For Reloading | Best 9mm Bullets

These 124 Grain 9mm reloading bullets are hollow base bullets that can be bought in bulk. Berry's bulk 9mm bullets are high quality, accurate, and consistent.

www.berrysmfg.com

357 diameter bullets always sell out fast and cost more at American Reloading. If 9mm bullets will work, it could save a person some money.

Current 9mm selection:

American Reloading

American Reloading

americanreloading.com

Current 357 selection:

American Reloading

American Reloading

americanreloading.com

Those work well in .38 Super as well.

 

[arakboss]

Some reloaders might have concerns about a lack of neck tension when using a .355 bullet in a 38spl or 357 mag case. Crimping may provide enough holding power to prevent set back of bullets but I had this idea to improve crimping. First, seat your .355 bullet in the 38spl case and crimp them with the seater die crimp. Then run the assembled round partially through a Lee 9mm factory crimp die. This should tighten up the neck tension on whatever portion of the case you run up into the 9mm FCD. Then take the round and run it through a Lee 38spl/357 mag FCD. That will assure that the rest of the case is sized well. It would add an extra step but should eliminate any concerns about weak neck tension with the smaller bullet.


I am going to try this technique this coming week and see how it works.

Edit: I am not confident that this idea will work after reviewing case dimensions but it's free to try. A 380acp FCD would probably work better. If I have one of those, I will try it instead.


Here is good demo of Lee FCD results.

View: https://youtu.be/6J0FiV9FWXU?feature=shared

 

[red442joe]

Over-crimping/multi-crimping often leads to case spring-back, and swaged loose bullets.

Joe

 

[arakboss]

Over-crimping/multi-crimping often leads to case spring-back, and swaged loose bullets.

Joe

Definitely something to lookout for.

 

[oremike]

Yes they will work and you shouldn't need to double crimp but honestly I make and shoot way more 9mm as compared to 38 Special that I'd just use them there.

 

[RVTECH]

am not confident that this idea will work

Insomuch as not working I don't believe it's necessary.

Like I said before ensure proper seating depth and crimp with a Lee factory crimp die. It's what I use when loading .357 because it's what I have.

When I load .38s I use a 9mm seating die with the stem removed and just taper crimp them moderately. Never had a bullet set back issue.

 

[Carguy]

I didn't watch the videos, so this may have already been brought up, but I would suggest swapping out a .355 expander for the .357 expander, to help with the bullet crimp.

 

[arakboss]

I loaded up two rounds with Extreme 124 plated HP .355 diameter. I just used the crimp function of the Lee seating die. And these two seem solid. I used a charge of 4.3 grains of titegroup. I will load up a handful more like this and see if I get any bullet set back when I fire them. If not then I will try some stiffer charges. If this works out I will save my 357 bullets for 357mag loads. I have a lot of plated 9mm bullets.

 

[RVTECH]

I loaded up two rounds with Extreme 124 plated HP .355 diameter. I just used the crimp function of the Lee seating die.

Maybe just the pic angle but it looks like the crimp is a little heavy and it appears there is a heavy 'crimp ring' on the bullets.

You should have little to no 'resistance' when you are crimping plated bullets - they are still pretty soft.

 

[arakboss]

Maybe just the pic angle but it looks like the crimp is a little heavy and it appears there is a heavy 'crimp ring' on the bullets.

You should have little to no 'resistance' when you are crimping plated bullets - they are still pretty soft.

I think I did over do it on the crimp. I will back it off a touch when I do the rest. I just wanted to make they didn't go anywhere. They seated super easy so there is not much neck tension there. They are a soft bullet.

 

[dangerranger60]

I cast the same bullet 124 gr bullet for 38 and 9mm. The only difference is the final sizing.
I have used FMJ bullets that are standard Cup and Core sized .355 in a 38 without any loss of accuracy. But an under sized soft to medium lead cast bullet is an invitation for barrel lead fouling.
I have used some Powder coated bullets but not enough under sized to know they won't foul the barrel.
Those FMJ bullets that I have used got the same crimp as any others. The bullets held tight just like any other bullets. DR

 

[red442joe]

Everybody oughts to have a kinetic bullet puller!
I generally like two-good-whacks of crimp!
I pulled down some Winchester white box to get an idea how stuck the bullets should be.

Joe

 

[red442joe]

There comes a point when you have to switch from lead to wax boolits.
Maybe a balsa wood step in between?

Joe