Coated bullets and lead residue in the barrel question

[Earl Keese]

 I would think FMJ would be too hard to push a .358 through a 9mm barrel. Wouldn't that increase pressure substantially?
 FWIW, I sighted in one of my pre-b's yesterday with a Vortex Venom shooting Gallant .357 135rn w/3.5gr of SP(1.11oal). 1.5" group @ 25yds rested. I used the same load in my Scorpion for a Steel Challenge match a couple weeks ago. I think I've finally found a bullet/load to use in both pistols and rifle.


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[painter]

I agree with Earl. Typically FMJ bullets should be no larger than the bore, or pressure will indeed rise.

[Wobbly]

Where did this adventure end up ?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[toteone]

I only shoot PD124 JHPs.  I never paid much attention to diameter till i read this array of posts.  I realize you won't get leading from FMJs but is there any issues I should be aware of since the PD 124 JHP is only .355 in diameter? 
I shoot them in competition mainly in my P01 and intermittently in my P10C.  Since the PD 124 JHPs were so highly recommended, I never gave much thought to diameter and its possible negative effects.
I have loaded and shot over 4000 rounds since joining this forum as a complete newbie with zero failures...I check every round with case gauge and remove any that don't fit.  This is less than 1% usually.  Actually caught myself loading 2 .380 cases this way.   Guess my preliminary case check missed them but got em using case gauge.

[Earl Keese]

I only shoot PD124 JHPs.  I never paid much attention to diameter till i read this array of posts.  I realize you won't get leading from FMJs but is there any issues I should be aware of since the PD 124 JHP is only .355 in diameter? 
I shoot them in competition mainly in my P01 and intermittently in my P10C.  Since the PD 124 JHPs were so highly recommended, I never gave much thought to diameter and its possible negative effects.
I have loaded and shot over 4000 rounds since joining this forum as a complete newbie with zero failures...I check every round with case gauge and remove any that don't fit.  This is less than 1% usually.  Actually caught myself loading 2 .380 cases this way.   Guess my preliminary case check missed them but got em using case gauge.

i cannot stand those reloaders who have many recurring issues with their ammo while shooting in competition....slows things down to a crawl.  I try not to be that guy.

.355 is correct for jacketed.

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[Dan_69GTX]

Good question - I've been adding info as I find out so.....here is a summary of the process.

This is all for the CZ SP-01 Target 2 pistol

- Acme 124gr RN .356 leaded the end of the barrel - With various powders and charges.
- Acme 124gr RN .357 leaded the end of the barrel - maybe a little less, but was hard to tell.  With various powders and charges.
- Slugged barrel - hard to tell, but it appears to be .356.
- Used Sport pistol powder -  a lot less leading, but still there - with .357 bullets.
- Blue Bullets 125gr RN .358 - no leading with sport pistol powder - total of 250 shot.  Ordered more to do extensive testing and to see about accuracy.


For Scorpion Carbine

- Had a little leading with the .356 Acme bullets with 231 powder. (didn't do much other powder testing).
- NO leading with .357 bullets with any powder.
- Didn't and won't try the .358 blue bullets.

[Dan_69GTX]

Also - I updated my previous post..

It is .356 PD FMJ bullets - NOT .358!!!   MY BAD!!!!!   For reference - don't trust my memory - that is why I have a log book!!!

[SoCal]

that is why I have a log book!!!

YES everyone should have a log.

[Dan_69GTX]

More info on this subject -

Due to life events, I didn't get back to this testing till now.

So, loading Blue Hitek coated 125gr .358 bullets solved the leading problem.  Used Sport Pistol powder.  So, as many suggested, I needed a larger diameter bullet. 

Very accurate, however, in my CZ I have to load these too short for my liking.  So, I'll be checking around for other .358 dia bullets to test.

[Wobbly]

These 124gr for 38 cal might do OK for you. They are 0.358" and HiTek coated.

http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=234&category=5&secondary=9

[FALer]

So, loading Blue Hitek coated 125gr .358 bullets solved the leading problem.  Used Sport Pistol powder.  So, as many suggested, I needed a larger diameter bullet. 

Very accurate, however, in my CZ I have to load these too short for my liking.  So, I'll be checking around for other .358 dia bullets to test.

What OAL are you loading them to? and are you doing anything special to expand (expand, not flare/bell) the case in order to seat those .358's?

Nate

[Dan_69GTX]

Wobbly, thanks for the link.

Looking at the price for 3000 with shipping, I'm less than 1 cent difference from when Precision Delta has their JHP on sale 7.66c vs 8.4c so I'll probably stop this exercise and wait till PD has them on sale again.

I was hoping I could save more $ with coated, but not for my pistol.  Now for the Scorpion and other pistols (non competition), the Acme is working great -  just did a bulk order for them.  The post office at work isn't gonna be happy with me - again. 

However, this exercise did introduce me to sport pistol powder - I love how it meters and how clean it is.  AND I've had a lot of fun doing the testing.  I find these experiments to be quite enjoyable.  Seems you do to - regarding your recent powder testing post.

Next up - same everything and just change primers - like you did.
 

[Wobbly]

After all that I'm not sure the hardness is right for your purposes. After writing that I saw it said "cowboy" which means slow loads duplicating black powder. MBC coating is good, but I'm not sure it can make up for the velocity difference.

[FALer]

Nate,  Same answer as in the other thread - nothing to expand - just bell/flare it and load.

What you have to be careful of is how deep you seat - just like normal 147 grain bullets.  If the brass gets thicker sooner, you have an issue where the brass becomes too wide to properly chamber since it will "buldge" too much.

Thanks man, Apologies I didn't realize I'd asked that already.

[lewmed]

 I've been loading hi-tec coated bullets for my vintage S&W 44 spl and 44 mag sized .04305" for years with no problems. Then I bought a new S&W M69 that has tight chambers and bore .0429 the .04305" bullets leave a mess in the bore and forcing cone. So now I order my bullets sized .0431" and use Lee push through sizers to get the correct size for the gun I'm loading for problem solved.