Loading 9mm with 357 bullets.

[madsweeney]

the opposite question

I have a pile of 160 grain JRN bullets that I got when I used to have a 38 super. They run between .3555 and .356 something. Just wondering whether they'd shoot with any accuracy in my 357?

 

[Model5]

I have a pile of 160 grain JRN bullets that I got when I used to have a 38 super. They run between .3555 and .356 something. Just wondering whether they'd shoot with any accuracy in my 357?

I guess that would depend on the barrel of your 357. I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to load some and see. That’s what I like about loading for a revolver. You remove a lot of variables when you don’t have to worry about feeding and cycling.

 

[glenwolde]

Just be careful with light loads and jacketed bullets as you work your way up. Especially tight ones that have been squeezed through a sizing die.

At low velocities jackets can separate from cores, with the core exiting the bore but leaving behind a piece of the jacket behind. The resulting bore obstruction will ruin your day if it goes undetected.

Not saying it is likely, but I'd be watching for it on any load that doesn't have enough power to cycle.

I know lots of shooters that use lead bullets in their Glock. If they aren't leading it's not a problem. The alloy just needs to match the load.

 

[glenwolde]

I have a pile of 160 grain JRN bullets that I got when I used to have a 38 super. They run between .3555 and .356 something. Just wondering whether they'd shoot with any accuracy in my 357?

They might shoot with an acceptable degree of accuracy, but you won't win any matches. This is not unlike me shooting 9mm Ball out of my convertible Blackhawk. It delivers usable accuracy. I'd try it. But I'll try anything.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I also tried the 9mm plated/copper bullets in my 686 6" revolver
to see if they would work, since my 9mm did not like this batch of bullets.

I tried three powders and slow and med. fast loads but they would not win any trophy's, if I had to shoot past 50 yards.
Not quite as good as the "38" bullets that had a tighter fit in the barrel.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Bought a bunch of the RAINIER plated 130gr .356 bullets designed for 38 Super way back when... As in "When they were ON SALE & closing out all the Rainier bullets!" I was hoping they might work for 357 SIG, but no dice. Too long.

However, when I loaded some up in 38 Special cases they shot just fine, then someone on this forum suggested 9mm and they work even better. Used the Hodgdons data for what must be the very similar .356 bullet from Berrys.

Sometimes things just work out...?

Cheers!

 

[gwpercle]

By careful die adjustment and a little playing around with seating depths I have loaded .357 sized revolver bullets in 9 mm Luger .
The lighter weights jacketed hollow points worked just fine but the plunk test must be passed .
I even got some 150 grain cast lead SWC's , sized .357" to work .
Gary

 

[Ron IL]

I use .358 sized bullets in my 38 and my 92 Beretta. I thought it might be handy if they both used the same bullet. I used 147 grain TEK coated SWC. They shot fine in the 38 but not great out of the 9. I think too many lube grooves in the bullet and not enough surface area. I didn't have any with no lube groove to try and didn't spend any time trying to make it work better. It even leaded the barrel a little I think because of the lube grooves. Normally the .358 147 gr 9 mm bullets make the barrel look like it was polished after a shooting session. So I didn't put any more effort into it. I think with some more effort I could have found a common bullet for both and made it easier to stock bullets.