Armory Sponsor
Posted: 3/5/2010 9:10:58 AM EDT
|
I don't load for either caliber any more but a buddy asked whether or not I thought there's be any problem with loading them this way. He said the 9mm bullets measure only 1/1000th of an inch different than the .38 bullets in width and the weight is only 1gr different. He's only planning on using them for light plinkers in his Ruger .357 but I really was stumped and didn't know what to tell him.
So, here I am!  Is this a yay or a nay?
|
|
Quoted:
I don't load for either caliber any more but a buddy asked whether or not I thought there's be any problem with loading them this way. He said the 9mm bullets measure only 1/1000th of an inch different than the .38 bullets in width and the weight is only 1gr different. He's only planning on using them for light plinkers in his Ruger .357 but I really was stumped and didn't know what to tell him. So, here I am! Is this a yay or a nay?Techincally, the difference is two thousandths, as 9mm is .355 (lead is usually .356, however, and there are a few 9mm bullets that are .356. 38 Super bullets also tend towards .356) and 38 bullets are .357. The only possible issue is case neck tension. The smaller 9mm bullets are liable to back out of the 38 case under recoil, and since 9mm bullets don't have a crimping cannelure, he can't use a heavy roll crimp to hold them. But it might not be an issue, he'll have to load a few rounds and check them for case neck tension. Applying a taper crimp with a 9mm seater die might help here, but I don't know for a fact if a 38 case will fit in a 9mm seater die. I'd think it would, but I've never tried it. With that issue dealt with, it should be safe. Some 357 and 38 revolvers have 9mm conversion cylinders available, which would just let him load 9mm in 9mm cases, if he has the money to do that. Accuracy will probably not be very good with the undersize 9mm bullets, however. Best accuracy will probably be achieved with relatively soft lead cast bullets or hollow base bullets. |
|
Im getting back into pistol rounds after 15 years. Just got in 1k of 124 gr. 355 dia .Most will be for my 38 super, but some will be saved for my brothers 9mm. These rounds are rainer fmj but have many swc left over from years ago, plus 15 year old primers and powder.
When I put the mic on them they all came out at 355 dia. 1k at $80 from midway, bullets look good. |
Armory Sponsor