.358 lead projectiles in 9mm case

T

tranders

New member
I have a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 357/9mm. Could I load .358 lead bullets in 9mm cases to improve accuracy when using the 9mm cylinder?
I understand these would be for the revolver only.

Thanks for the help!
 
You sure can. Crimp in seperate step with sizing ring removed if using Lee. Flare the a bit more than usual, it'll fit just fine with "some" of the base getting swaged down, but since 9mm tapers out, most of your bullet will stay at least 357, and even some 358 if you find the thinnest case walled brand. I do lots of 357, and see no reason 3$8 won't be fine.
 
Load up a dummy, without using a Lee FCD, and see if it fits the cylinder. The limitation/problem would be a larger bullet expanding the case enough to where it won't chamber...
 
I think that a lot of people who have shot them in 9mm semis would be disappointed to learn that they cannot.
 
I have shot 158 gr .358" LSWC bullet more in 380, 9mm, and 9x23...
More than i have in 38 special and 357 mag.
But I make sure the cartridge fits in the chamber.
 
My pet load for 9mm is a 158 gr. .358 diameter stoked with 3.0 grains of win 231. It shoots to the poa of my sights well enough and I use it for local action pistol matches. I shoot them out of a fnx 9, they don't jam and they only lead up the barrel a bit, I got the bullets for free 2000 of them so I take the extra hassle of clean up to have 9mm rounds that effectively cost me 6 cents a piece. I had to play with the crimp and oal length but I got them to work well in the end.
 
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