Bullet Size

[Martin]

Hello All.

I have been reloading 9mm for a few years now and not doing too bad.

I am toying with the idea of loading the moly coated bullets instead of copper coated, as it looks like it would work out cheaper for practice at the range, so this is a 2 part question,

1, Does anyone here user moly coated lead and how does it fair?

2, My XD shoots 9mm and has a diamiter of .356 and my 38 special has a .357 diamiter, the question is, what would be the effect if I load .356 in both 9 and the 38.

Thank you all for your reply's in advance.

Martin

[Guest Crunchman]

The effect would be that your accuracy in the .38 would go to crap. .001 inch doesn't sound like much but it's enough to cause less contact with the lands and grooves.

As for the moly, I've tried moly coat bullets in rifles. For the small increase in FPS, it wasn't worth it for me.

[Martin]

Crunchman, thank you for the reply, what would your thoughts be on doing it the other way around, using .357 bullets in my 9mm, or do you think the .001 size increase would be too dangerous and damage the XD barrel?

[glockster157]

What you need to do is slug both of your barrels. the specs on a 9mm barrel would be .355 and 38/357 is .357. As a rule you would want to size your bullets .001 over your groove diameter, hence .356 for a 9mm and .358 for a 38/357. If your barrel is different you need to size them appropriately.

As to shooting moly coated bullets, I have and I don't think they are cost effective. I would rather shoot copper coated for the money. And I have shot .357 lead bullets in a 9mm but not .358 but as a rule, I stick to the proper sizing for each caliber or gun.

[Martin]

Glockster, Crunchman

Thank you both for your input, thoughts and advise, I am an amature shooter ( of only 5 years ) and been reloading the same recepie ( it works ) for a few years and I was just wondering.

I understand more now.

Again thank you for imparting the knowledge.

Regards

Martin

Crunchman