9mm bullet seated in a .38 case?

a-bolt · March 22, 2001, 04:39 AM

9mm bullet seated in a .38 case?
My sierra manual mentioned a cowboy action configuration which uses a 124gr 9mm (auto) LRN bullet seated in a .38 spcl case. Is that crazy or can the be done? I did not think you could mix auto bullets and revolver ones since they have slight differences.

What gives?

johnnybravo · March 22, 2001, 05:12 AM

Some commercial brands of cast 9mm bullets are sized .357. These would work in the 38 spl casing.

FWIW, I cast my own bullets. I use the same bullet, sized .357 for both the 9mm and 38/357.

If you use an auto bullet in a revolver case, it won't have a crimp groove. You would then crimp it at the very front of the top driving band.

dick w. holliday · March 22, 2001, 09:31 AM

i also cast my own and the only bullet i shoot in my 9mm/38super/38spec/357mag is a lee 125 gr tumble lubed bullet which is unsized. i shoot thiese bullets in 3gun/action pistol/cowboy. you'll notice i didn't mention any bullseye shooting- i guess if i did i'd spend more time on these bullets-but for what i call "Hose and go shooting" these rounds are the ticket for me....Good shooting...Dick

tooltime · March 22, 2001, 02:15 PM

For all of you Colt owners. Slug your bores. Especially in Detective Specials, Official Police, Police Positive Specials. You will find bores ranging from .354 - .356. A 160 grain .38 Super bullet sized to .355 works great and is more accurate than .357 dia bullets. Give it a try you will be suprised. Tooltime

March 22, 2001, 04:39 AM	#1
a-bolt Member Join Date: July 11, 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 61	9mm bullet seated in a .38 case? My sierra manual mentioned a cowboy action configuration which uses a 124gr 9mm (auto) LRN bullet seated in a .38 spcl case. Is that crazy or can the be done? I did not think you could mix auto bullets and revolver ones since they have slight differences. What gives? __________________ Qui tacit consentire. Who is silent is understood to give consent. i.e. Don't sit by while people slowly take your rights. Stand up and get involved! Check out my website: www.geocities.com/abolt3006/

March 22, 2001, 05:12 AM	#2
johnnybravo Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Posts: 100	Some commercial brands of cast 9mm bullets are sized .357. These would work in the 38 spl casing. FWIW, I cast my own bullets. I use the same bullet, sized .357 for both the 9mm and 38/357. If you use an auto bullet in a revolver case, it won't have a crimp groove. You would then crimp it at the very front of the top driving band. __________________ johnnyb A slow hit beats a fast miss.

March 22, 2001, 02:15 PM	#4
tooltime Member Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 17	9mm bullets in .38's For all of you Colt owners. Slug your bores. Especially in Detective Specials, Official Police, Police Positive Specials. You will find bores ranging from .354 - .356. A 160 grain .38 Super bullet sized to .355 works great and is more accurate than .357 dia bullets. Give it a try you will be suprised. Tooltime

March 22, 2001, 09:31 AM	#3
dick w. holliday Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 589	i also cast my own and the only bullet i shoot in my 9mm/38super/38spec/357mag is a lee 125 gr tumble lubed bullet which is unsized. i shoot thiese bullets in 3gun/action pistol/cowboy. you'll notice i didn't mention any bullseye shooting- i guess if i did i'd spend more time on these bullets-but for what i call "Hose and go shooting" these rounds are the ticket for me....Good shooting...Dick