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9mm cast bullet loads?
asphalt cowboy
Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
Dad recently gave me Bub's Llama 9mm and I'm thinking to load 115gr cast for practice and plinking.
My only prior experience with cast was shooting GCHC years ago in a NM RBH 45 Colt so a little input on the two manufacturers I've looked at would be appreciated.
The ones in question are Missouri and ACME. They both list their 115gr RN as 16 BNH. I'm not looking to add the cost of gas checking, would I see any appreciable difference between one maker over the other?
My only prior experience with cast was shooting GCHC years ago in a NM RBH 45 Colt so a little input on the two manufacturers I've looked at would be appreciated.
The ones in question are Missouri and ACME. They both list their 115gr RN as 16 BNH. I'm not looking to add the cost of gas checking, would I see any appreciable difference between one maker over the other?
Comments
bpost, I hadn't heard or thought of a diameter issue. I always understood a bullet of proper hardness would self obturate. All of the ones I've looked at online show diameter of .356".
I'll pour a slug to see whether I may have a problem.
laylandad, thanks that's another to add to the list.
bpost, I hadn't heard or thought of a diameter issue. I always understood a bullet of proper hardness would self obturate. All of the ones I've looked at online show diameter of .356".
I'll pour a slug to see whether I may have a problem.
My 9mm likes .357 a lot. Accuracy is on par with ball at that diameter. When shooting .356 it sprayed like a shotgun and leaded badly even with straight linotype. Experience is the best teacher!
For lead bullets, fit is 99.99% of the game. Slug the barrel and determine what the groove diameter is. Be sure bullets are at least 0.001" larger than groove diameter. Many commercial casters can size to meet your needs.
I have ordered as-cast bullets and tumble lubed them myself in several cases. Frequently, I get a price break--never saw any need for sizing and sizing never improved the accuracy of my cast bullets.
9x19 barrels can range from 0.355 to 0.362". I have guns that range from 0.355 to 0.359".
There is no reason to even consider a gas check for a measly little 9x91. That is needed somewhere north of 1700fps.
ALL commercial bullets are harder than needed. The most you need for 9x19 is 12BHN.
I find that 0.356-0.357" jacketed and 0.356-0.358" lead bullets are perfect for nearly all 9x19s. Mastercastbullets.com and Missouri Bullets sell a "soft" alloy (still in the 15-16BHN range)--and Penn supplies a soft alloy in some of their bullets. Never heard of ACME.