9MM Largo loading

[HisSoldier]

So many different story's on this. I have 1000 Starline Largo cases on order, but for dies, I have the RCBS 20515 9MM dies which some folks say can be used, some say get 9X23, but some RCBS 20515 boxes say they will load 9X19, 9X21 and 9X23(??)

So is there a special sizing die for 9X23, and is that better for 9MM Largo than .38 Auto? I would like to buy a sizing die only as from what I gather that's the rub, literally. The 9MM Luger dies have a steeper taper and using them may overstress the 9MM Largo brass, right? I've seen marked reductions in 9X19 brass during sizing, so sizing Largo brass should show even more working of the brass. Anyone have any wisdom for me on this?
I also saw where custom dies are made for 9MM Largo, mucho denari.

[hodaka]

Well, I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that I have been loading the Largo for years using standard Lee 9mm Luger dies and Unique powder.

I doubt overworking brass will be as much as a problem as finding them in the grass. What are you feeding these cartridges into?

[HisSoldier]

I bought a Star model AS. It looks to be unfired. 1968.

[HisSoldier]

Better photo;

[hodaka]

Very nice. Looks a lot better than my 400.

[HisSoldier]

Many years ago I had a 400, I distinctly remember shooting 9MM Parabellum in it, a no no now days, probably then too.

[HeroHog]

I used my standard 9x19 Lee dies to load for Largo for years! Not even a hint of any problems! When I got my 9mm Magnum AutoMag, I used the same dies for it and it is 9x29!!! The 9x19 dies will simply not do a full length resize as it will come up 4mm short but I promise, you won't notice a difference in operation of your loads if you changed to true 9x23 dies. Save yer money and just use the dies ya have.

[HisSoldier]

I'll try the 9X19 die. What do you put inside?

[HeroHog]

What do you put inside?

??? What do you mean? What load possibly? I get my loading data from here: http://www.9mmlargo.com/index.htm

[HisSoldier]

I have 4 of the powders mentioned. The only bullets I have are 125 grn cast.

The powder weights they are recommending are higher than for a 9 X 19, but the pressures of the latter are considerably higher, is that because case volume is lower?
Many maximum loads shown for a 90 grain bullet whizzed out at 1500 FPS! Hot dog, but I'm looking for 1150 FPS with 125 grain lead.
I have AA5, AA7, Bullseye, and WW231 to play with, the AA7 is very easy to get accurate throws with, I imagine the Bullseye is the worst for accurate powder weights with a progressive press. I downloaded the manual and it said the gun is chambered for 38 auto (As rare as the Largo I expect) or 9MM Largo.

It's weird seeing a manufacturer listing two different cartridges.

[HeroHog]

The Largo round IS hotter than 9x19 and I too used Bullseye on mine. A great round and guns. I miss all the ones I used to have...

[rc]

You can load 9mm largo with 9mm luger dies but they have an hourglass shape that doesn't seem to hurt. You can use 38 super dies in some guns but others need the bases sized more than the 38 super will do. My destoryer carbine doesn't mind 38 super by my friends Austra jams with loads assembled with 38 super dies. I saw a more recent RCBS 9mm set that said 9mm luger and 9X23. You should look for that set. The 9mm largo can be loaded with 9mm luger data for blowback guns and I have used book 38 super loads in my locked breech carbine. Caution would cause you to reduce loads however by 10%. rc

[HisSoldier]

I took 8 tenths of a grain out of a couple of Remington Peters 38 Super rounds and they worked fine. That RP load is a bit light to start with. I have a Lee 38 Super die set coming for loading the Starline brass with.

[ClarkEMyers]

As it happens I have multiple dies for 9x23, 9x23 Nowlin chamber

(not sure the dies are any different,maybe RCBS marked their 9x23 for Nowlin to sell directly? - 9x23 reamers were never standardized and exist in sizes to clean up existing chambers especially .38 Auto and so a little bigger and for barrel blanks and so a little tighter and so it goes),

9x21, .356 TSW as well as 9x19. Today I'm not sure why - mostly because after the first set of carbide 9x23 - pricey because the later sets were on sale or new old stock or I was foolish.

As noted some variation of neck sizing with 9x19 dies works for most everybody most all the time.

Data is readily available, and of course acceptable loads vary wildly from carbines to old Astra blowbacks.

.38 Auto may work for some people some of the time but a look at nominal dimensions will show the Largo and 9x23 are externally very much the same with a tapered case and the .38 Auto with a straight case and so quite different toward the case head. Neck sizing or partial sizing solves a lot of problems for non-critical or low pressure applications - low pressure because the case is not necessarily fully fireformed to the chamber and so needs less sizing for reuse. Because the imports in 9mm Largo were marked 9mm/38 lots of myths or stories were told about being designed to shoot either 9x19 or .38 Auto the dealers had in stock

[HeroHog]

I reload and shoot 9mm Magnum which is 9x29. I use 9x19 dies and it works great! Like I said earlier, I loaded Largo using 9x19 Luger dies for years with no problems whatsoever. Don't sweat the dies. If you just HAVE to have a "proper" die set, get some 9x23 Winchester dies and rock on.