Lead bullet diameter

Roland Thunder · August 17, 2012, 01:46 PM

I have been successfully reloading 9mm lead bullets that have a diameter of .356. They work well in my gun(s). The other day I had a chance to buy some 9mm's at a gun show that were .355 diameter. I have always heard that using undersized lead bullets can cause lead fouling and that, with lead, you should use .001mm larger than your barrel. Should I avoid .355 bullets since .356 seem to work. What is the likely effect of using .355 over .356

Sevens · August 17, 2012, 01:55 PM

There are plenty of theories and many folks with experience that could offer their findings... but about the only thing that -REALLY- matters is what will happen when YOU try them.

Could be that those .356" you've been using work well for you for a reason OTHER than their diameter and the .355" that you try next work even better.

Could be that a different brand, lot, style, or alloy of .356" bullets work like HELL when you try those.

My recommendation is two-fold.
1) Buy some of those .355" slugs and give 'em a twirl.
2) Either the new ones, or the ones you used before-- if you find a bullet and a load that runs to your satisfaction with regards to accuracy, leading, function, performance and price -- buy them by the metric ton.

I use these in 9mm:
http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5...ategory_Code=9

They run very well for me in .356" size. I run them in 5 different 9mm handguns and I see some small traces of lead after 250 or so rounds in some of the pistols and less in others, but not enough to bother me in any of them. They feed 100% of the time, their accuracy is terrific and I have complete confidence in these bullets and the skill that Matt puts in to producing them.

When I purchase, I buy no less than 3,000 at a time.

FrankenMauser · August 17, 2012, 05:32 PM

Without knowing the specifics of your firearm(s), there's no way of knowing whether the .355s will cause a problem. Even then, the load itself can sometimes make up for poor diameter selection.

Shoot them. See what happens.

Like Sevens, I suggest buying large quantities of whatever bullet you do find to work well. My last order of 9mm projectiles was what I consider to be an absolute minimum: 4,000 bullets. (2,000 piece price breaks on shipping for 9mm bullets, so I order in multiples of 2k.)

chris in va · August 17, 2012, 07:04 PM

Try a few and find out. My CZ was keyholing badly with 356's and finally saw accuracy a 358.

dunerjeff · August 17, 2012, 07:37 PM

The only 9mm barrel I've found that worked good with .356 bullets was a Storm Lake match type(it even could work with .357).All others need .357 or .358 for best accuracy,no leading,good/proper fit. I would presume those .355 bullets are made for a .380 round.
I cast my own so I can try more options with sizes and weights.

August 17, 2012, 01:46 PM	#1
Roland Thunder Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Gwinnett County Georgia Posts: 1,136	Lead bullet diameter I have been successfully reloading 9mm lead bullets that have a diameter of .356. They work well in my gun(s). The other day I had a chance to buy some 9mm's at a gun show that were .355 diameter. I have always heard that using undersized lead bullets can cause lead fouling and that, with lead, you should use .001mm larger than your barrel. Should I avoid .355 bullets since .356 seem to work. What is the likely effect of using .355 over .356 __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

August 17, 2012, 01:55 PM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	There are plenty of theories and many folks with experience that could offer their findings... but about the only thing that -REALLY- matters is what will happen when YOU try them. Could be that those .356" you've been using work well for you for a reason OTHER than their diameter and the .355" that you try next work even better. Could be that a different brand, lot, style, or alloy of .356" bullets work like HELL when you try those. My recommendation is two-fold. 1) Buy some of those .355" slugs and give 'em a twirl. 2) Either the new ones, or the ones you used before-- if you find a bullet and a load that runs to your satisfaction with regards to accuracy, leading, function, performance and price -- buy them by the metric ton. I use these in 9mm: http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5...ategory_Code=9 They run very well for me in .356" size. I run them in 5 different 9mm handguns and I see some small traces of lead after 250 or so rounds in some of the pistols and less in others, but not enough to bother me in any of them. They feed 100% of the time, their accuracy is terrific and I have complete confidence in these bullets and the skill that Matt puts in to producing them. When I purchase, I buy no less than 3,000 at a time. __________________ *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.

August 17, 2012, 05:32 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,421	Without knowing the specifics of your firearm(s), there's no way of knowing whether the .355s will cause a problem. Even then, the load itself can sometimes make up for poor diameter selection. Shoot them. See what happens. Like Sevens, I suggest buying large quantities of whatever bullet you do find to work well. My last order of 9mm projectiles was what I consider to be an absolute minimum: 4,000 bullets. (2,000 piece price breaks on shipping for 9mm bullets, so I order in multiples of 2k.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 17, 2012, 07:37 PM	#5
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	The only 9mm barrel I've found that worked good with .356 bullets was a Storm Lake match type(it even could work with .357).All others need .357 or .358 for best accuracy,no leading,good/proper fit. I would presume those .355 bullets are made for a .380 round. I cast my own so I can try more options with sizes and weights. __________________ sent via telegram

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August 17, 2012, 07:04 PM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Try a few and find out. My CZ was keyholing badly with 356's and finally saw accuracy a 358.