non-plated in 9mm?

603Country · November 23, 2014, 02:32 PM

Well, some time back I ran out of plated bullets and almost out of jacketed bullets and just flat could not find anything that I preferred. Only thing I could find was some 9mm 115 gr plain lead bullets made by an outfit out of Breckenridge, TX. It's time to do some 9mm reloading again and I have not yet used those lead unplated bullets. The pistol in question is a Beretta PX4, and when I was loading plated bullets I had to load them pretty much at the jacketed bullet levels for the pistol to function correctly. I guess it's a little stiff still. There were no problems with the plated bullets, but now I'm down to the unplated stuff. I shoot plain lead (wadcutters and Keith) all day long in my 38 and 357, but do any of you have any history (good or bad) with lead RN 115 grainers in your 9mm.

Should I just use them for fishing weights and buy some more plated, which I guess is available now? I'm not exactly out of ammo just yet, so it's no big deal to wait for a delivery. I just have these bullets and hate to have wasted my money if I don't use them.

Thanks for the help.

Sevens · November 23, 2014, 03:50 PM

I was using cast lead in 9mm for a good bit, I wanna say I probably ran around 5,000 of them, most of those went thru my Tanfoglio Elite Match. They ran seriously well, no failures of any manner and accuracy was terrific. I did get away from them for a few reasons...

They gave me a bit of leading. Not horribly, but since I can't shoot lead indoors, I had to be mindful of keeping the bore clear, especially when moving back to plated. Also, I made some LARGE buys of plated, so it was easier for me to stick with them.

But yes, I did very well with cast lead in 9mm, but I was running some high quality bullets from Dardas. Terrific slugs and service to match.

T. O'Heir · November 23, 2014, 05:49 PM

Loaded 121 grain cast bullets with 3.5 of Bullseye for my Inglis BHP for eons. No change of return spring, but that might fix your Berretta.
There's buckets of 115 grain RN cast data on Hodgdon's site.

Ozzieman · November 23, 2014, 06:08 PM

I shoot Penn 9mm out of everything from my Glock 34 (wolf barrel) to my Beretta storm carbine. I get very little leading and W231 remains my favorite and most accurate powder with his 120 GR truncated cone. The only problem I had was with my MP5 clone and it needed the larger bullet size than the standard of .356 but since it was a toy I really didn’t care.
Most companies cast bullets can be loaded to 1000 FPS without much leading. Swaged is another matter.
The only plated bullets I have ever used were for the 45 ACP so that I could shoot indoors at one of the ranges I go to. My Goldcup can hold very good groups and the plated bullets never worked. Always had flyers.

https://www.pennbullets.com/9mm/9mm-caliber.html

TimSr · November 23, 2014, 06:24 PM

My Smith 439 likes being fed 125gr LRN or 120gr SWC. I like the SWC for shooting paper just to be able to see the holes. No issues other than I have money left over to waste on other stuff.

603Country · November 23, 2014, 07:18 PM

Thanks guys. And I have 231 powder. I'll have a go tomorrow.

mmb713 · November 24, 2014, 01:20 AM

I would use up the lead bullets since you already have them and then buy plated bullets in the future. You don't say where you are looking for plated bullets locally but you can buy them factory direct. I get all of mine from Xtreme. Great bullets at great prices shipped right to your door.

http://www.xtremebullets.com/

bedbugbilly · November 25, 2014, 08:45 PM

All I shoot out of my 9mm is cast lead. I use the Lee 356-120gr TC style. (The 120 is close to what you are using). They drop from my mold at .358 and I load them "as cast". For lead, it's normal to load .002" over bore size if you can. All depends on your pistol, what the bore slugs at and getting the bullet seated where it should be so the round passes the "plunk test". I tumble lube mine with Alox/Paste wax and have no leading problems at all. They shoot well out of my Ruger SR9.

November 23, 2014, 02:32 PM	#1
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	non-plated in 9mm? Well, some time back I ran out of plated bullets and almost out of jacketed bullets and just flat could not find anything that I preferred. Only thing I could find was some 9mm 115 gr plain lead bullets made by an outfit out of Breckenridge, TX. It's time to do some 9mm reloading again and I have not yet used those lead unplated bullets. The pistol in question is a Beretta PX4, and when I was loading plated bullets I had to load them pretty much at the jacketed bullet levels for the pistol to function correctly. I guess it's a little stiff still. There were no problems with the plated bullets, but now I'm down to the unplated stuff. I shoot plain lead (wadcutters and Keith) all day long in my 38 and 357, but do any of you have any history (good or bad) with lead RN 115 grainers in your 9mm. Should I just use them for fishing weights and buy some more plated, which I guess is available now? I'm not exactly out of ammo just yet, so it's no big deal to wait for a delivery. I just have these bullets and hate to have wasted my money if I don't use them. Thanks for the help.

November 23, 2014, 03:50 PM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I was using cast lead in 9mm for a good bit, I wanna say I probably ran around 5,000 of them, most of those went thru my Tanfoglio Elite Match. They ran seriously well, no failures of any manner and accuracy was terrific. I did get away from them for a few reasons... They gave me a bit of leading. Not horribly, but since I can't shoot lead indoors, I had to be mindful of keeping the bore clear, especially when moving back to plated. Also, I made some LARGE buys of plated, so it was easier for me to stick with them. But yes, I did very well with cast lead in 9mm, but I was running some high quality bullets from Dardas. Terrific slugs and service to match. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 23, 2014, 05:49 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Loaded 121 grain cast bullets with 3.5 of Bullseye for my Inglis BHP for eons. No change of return spring, but that might fix your Berretta. There's buckets of 115 grain RN cast data on Hodgdon's site. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 23, 2014, 06:08 PM	#4
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I shoot Penn 9mm out of everything from my Glock 34 (wolf barrel) to my Beretta storm carbine. I get very little leading and W231 remains my favorite and most accurate powder with his 120 GR truncated cone. The only problem I had was with my MP5 clone and it needed the larger bullet size than the standard of .356 but since it was a toy I really didn’t care. Most companies cast bullets can be loaded to 1000 FPS without much leading. Swaged is another matter. The only plated bullets I have ever used were for the 45 ACP so that I could shoot indoors at one of the ranges I go to. My Goldcup can hold very good groups and the plated bullets never worked. Always had flyers. https://www.pennbullets.com/9mm/9mm-caliber.html __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

November 25, 2014, 08:45 PM	#8
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	All I shoot out of my 9mm is cast lead. I use the Lee 356-120gr TC style. (The 120 is close to what you are using). They drop from my mold at .358 and I load them "as cast". For lead, it's normal to load .002" over bore size if you can. All depends on your pistol, what the bore slugs at and getting the bullet seated where it should be so the round passes the "plunk test". I tumble lube mine with Alox/Paste wax and have no leading problems at all. They shoot well out of my Ruger SR9. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

November 23, 2014, 06:24 PM	#5
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	My Smith 439 likes being fed 125gr LRN or 120gr SWC. I like the SWC for shooting paper just to be able to see the holes. No issues other than I have money left over to waste on other stuff.

November 23, 2014, 07:18 PM	#6
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Thanks guys. And I have 231 powder. I'll have a go tomorrow.

November 24, 2014, 01:20 AM	#7
mmb713 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 421	I would use up the lead bullets since you already have them and then buy plated bullets in the future. You don't say where you are looking for plated bullets locally but you can buy them factory direct. I get all of mine from Xtreme. Great bullets at great prices shipped right to your door. http://www.xtremebullets.com/