Lee 358-158 RF in 9MM...possible???

I

IllinoisCoyoteHunter

New member
OK fellas...here are the results. I used a COL of 1.08" for all 3 my loads (10 rds each...5 to test cycling reliabilty and 5 for accuracy). This seated the bullet just barely touching the lands. A little concerned, I started with a mild load of 2.3 grains HP-38 (same as Win 231 in case you don't know). This load did not cycle the pistol at all. Stovepipe city! Primers looked just fine...no other excessive pressure signs. My next load was 2.5 grains. A little better here, but not quite enough oomph to cycle it yet. No pressure signs here either. Finally, 2.7 grains cycled the gun reliably with still no pressure signs. I would not be afraid to even bump it up another .2-.3 grains. Were they accurate? Well I shot this 5 shot group after I shot the initial 5 to test functionality. I shot this group at 10 yards, without my glasses...LOL! Probably couldn't do much better with my glasses! Leading was non-existant. One pass with the bore brush left the bore shiny and clean. In case you can't read the writing on the target:

11/1/09
9mm
Boolit: Lee 358-158 RF
Sized to .358" ( my Sig slugs at .3565")
Lars Carnauba Red lube
HP-38/Win 231 at 2.7 grains
COL: 1.080"
Distance: 10yds
5 shots
Sig Sauer P228

9mmLee358-158RF021.jpg


9mmLee358-158RF022.jpg


WARNING: This is not published load data. Experiment at your own risks. All firearms are different. Individual results may vary.

Good Luck!
 
KUDOS!!

I like folks that aren't afraid to think outside the box, and all that.

That is a really nice group, and I imagine that it packs a lot more "smack" power than the typical 9mm bullet.

Now all you need to do is shoot a thousand or so of them to establish the "reliability" factor.:D
 
They were reliable. No FTF or FTE.

If you like that you would have liked my experiment shooting 75 grain wadcutters. That's right, the Sig reliably fed and fired 75 grain wadcutters. Not semiwadcutters....wadcutters... :D

Accuracy on my initial loads was unimpressive and I have since sold that boolit mold...I may revisit and tweak that experiment one of these days....
 
I've recently started casting this mold with an alloy of 3% tin and 5% antimony. I get a cast weight of 162-gr. Did you weigh your boolits?
 
Good Bullet !!!!

I generally weigh enuff to get an idea of what load to put under the intended projectile but most are within 2-3% others (liter) will have visible flaws & be pot fodder on the next session !!

Good job ICH !!!!;)

Will this thread make it to it`s second birthday ?????:D:p
 
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