Ordering Cast bullets

[bgw45]

Since I don't cast I'm going to order some  LSWC for my new 75B. What size should I order? .356, .357 or .358  ??  Tried the search feature came up with 0 response.

[MifflinKid]

It depends on the groove size of your barrel. Conventional advice would be to use lead, coated lead and plated bullets that are .001" larger than barrel groove size. And use jacketed bullets that match groove size. Sadly for we reloaders, barrel grooves are rarely, if ever,
exactly spot on.

My two CZ's have groove sizes closer to .356" than to .355" so I use lead, coated lead and plated bullets that are .357". In them I use jacketed bullets that are .356".

I have another 9mm handgun that has a groove size more than .356", I use .357" lead, coated lead, plated AND jacketed bullets in that one.

Slug your barrel and measure with a micrometer. Round your measurement to the nearest .001" and then order lead, coated or plated bullets .001" larger. For example, if your barrel groove size is .3554" (rounds to .355") you would order .356" lead, coated or plated bullets. But if it measured .3557" (rounds to .356") you would order .357" lead, coated or plated bullets.

Re-edit on my part:  When it comes to lead, coated lead and plated lead bullets, you can even use bullets that are .002" larger than barrel groove size. However, this does increase pressure so you need dial back the amount of powder you use. Also, the extra width can cause chambering problems if your gun has a tight chamber.

[Wobbly]

That's a very good response.

 

[bgw45]

Thanks for the information and help. Now I need to go to youtube and find the correct way to slug a barrel.

[Wobbly]

Oil your barrel and then push  a 38 Spcl lead bullet down it.

[tdogg]

I've also found that if you melt down a wheel weight into a fired case then use a kinetic hammer pull it out (bullet puller) once cooled you can use that to slug the barrel.  It will be slightly oversized and somewhat resemble the shape of a bullet once pulled out of the case.  A micrometer is required to get the proper measurement.

No need to waste proper bullets for barrel slugging operations!  I got a large pile of wheel weights for free just asking my local tire store.  I use them to balance my motorcycle tires on my homemade balancer.

Cheers,
Toby

[Wobbly]

Sometimes you can find a soft lead fishing weight the correct diameter, too.

[bgw45]

Thanks, guys!

[vwpieces]

for 9mm I use 36 Cal black powder round balls to slug barrels. They are .375 diameter
I also use the same ball for 30 cal rifle slugging. But I squish them through a 356 Lee push through bullet sizing die first to get them a lil' smaller. BP round balls are cheap & soft lead. 100 is a lifetime supply for me.
Oak dowel rod from the home center & a brass hammer. I use a wood hammer as I get close to the muzzle crown.

Generally I use a digital/dial caliper for my reloading measuring but I get the Micrometer out for the slugs. Sometimes it's easier to measure with it on the tops of the grooves.

[jameslovesjammie]

There is a saying with cast bullets..."Fit is King."  Your bullet MUST fit your barrel.  A bullet fits your barrel if it is AT LEAST .001" larger than the groove diameter of the barrel.  Remember that when you slug the barrel, you will be given the measurement of the narrowest part of the barrel.  A wider diameter bullet will get swaged (think squeezed) down by the barrel to the proper diameter, but a bullet that is too small doesn't always bump up in diameter.  (I'm talking commercial cast bullets of +15 BHN.  Softer bullets are another matter.)

You want the bullet to fit the barrel for a number of reasons.  Leading is one issue.  A larger bullet is less likely to deposit lead than a bullet too small of diameter.  A big bullet bites the lands, while a too-small bullet can skid across them.  Another issue is gas seal.  A larger diameter bullet will seal the burning powder gasses better, making for a more efficient powder burn.  This is two fold, resulting in less gas cutting on the base of the bullet (read more leading/less accuracy) and slight increase in pressure.

FWIW I shoot .358" diameter bullets in all the 9mm's in my family.  CZ's, Para, Rugers.  YMMV.

[nicky]

 I have 2 questions about slugging a barrel.

     1. With a pistol barrel which end do you start from?

     2. Do you run the slug all the way through the barrel or just an inch or so?

[ReloaderFred]

If the barrel is removable, then start your slug from the breech end (chamber), and run the slug all the way through the barrel.  It's not that uncommon to find a barrel with tight spots in it, and those are what you're measuring.  Other barrels will be the same diameter their whole length, which is a good thing.

Clean the barrel and then apply a light coat of oil to the bore.  Then apply a light coat of oil to the lead slug and drive it through the barrel with a brass rod.  Don't use a steel rod, and don't use a screwdriver!

Hope this helps.

Fred

[noylj]

Commercial lead bullets are almost always way too hard, and they need to be even larger since they are NOT going to obturate the bore.
I have only used 10-13 BHN when I cast bullets and try to order bullets of the same hardness.
So, I find that for a 0.355" groove, I use 0.356-0.357" bullets of 10-13 BHN. When I tried the current HARD alloy, I had to go up to 0.357-0.358". In fact, for one batch, I had to lightly tumble lube the bullets in LLA to eliminate leading.
So, as my own personal findings, and not to be taken as etched in stone:
1) Always slug the barrel. I tend to slug twice. Once from breech to about 1" in. Then, another slug so I can feel if the slug tightens or loosens as it is pushed through (indicating that the groove diameter varies down the barrel). This has been very important with rifles, as lead bullets don't do well if the groove diameter varies down the bore.
2) Jacketed bullets should be groove diameter. So, if my .223 Remington has a 0.225" groove diameter, I will try 0.225" bullets (SAAMI spec for .223 Rem bullets for the industry for use in all guns is 0.2215-0.2245", but you need to fit YOUR gun, and groove diameter specification is 0.224-0.226"). My Browning Hi-Power has a groove diameter of 0.359" (and they told me it was within specification), so I use 0.357" jacketed bullets and wish I had larger.
3) Lead bullets of 6-13 BHN generally do OK if 0.001" over groove diameter, but a bit larger is often better. In 9x19, I find that being 0.002" over groove diameter works best.
4) Lead bullets of 15-22 BHN sometimes lead if only 0.001" over groove diameter and I always order them 0.002" over groove diameter (i.e., I order .38 lead bullets or special order the "right" diameter).
5) Coated lead, or tumble-lubed in LLA, will generally do fine at 0.001" over groove diameter.

So, for 9x19, I often use .38 jacketed and lead bullets. I start at starting load and have never had a pressure issue. Back when I started loading (early '70s), 9x19 was not popular and about the only bullets available were 0.356" 130gn FMJ-RN for .38 Super and a plethora of .38 bullets and every reloader used .38 bullets for 9x19 without issue?and they ALL started at the starting load and worked up.

[area51]

Get some coated bullets from bayou or Missouri bullets. They only run a few dollars more than the lead ones. I normally get the 124 grainier


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bgw45]

A late thanks to all.