Please Help ... Reloading 9mm Beretta M9 & Lead Bullets

riverwalker76 · June 1, 2010, 01:32 PM

Does anyone here load lead bullets in their Beretta M9? The reason I ask is because I don't know whether to order a .355 dia. or .356 dia. lead bullet for my barrel.

It's a standard Beretta Barrel, and I heard from a 'lead shooter' that if the diameter is too small it can lead to leading. So ... it needs to be just right.

Thanks in advance.

K96771 · June 1, 2010, 09:46 PM

I find that my 92fs likes .356. Someone will say to slug your barrel, but when in doubt, I think .356 is the best way to go. I use Missouri Bullet Company 125 grain LRN with 3.5 grains of Bullseye. It's very accurate and easy to clean up. I own no stock in the company, but they ship quick and the price is right.
www.missouribullet.com

Crosshair · June 1, 2010, 10:19 PM

With lead bullets, too big is better than too small. (Within reason.) My 9mm bullets get sized to .357 and I have no leading or pressure problems in my P-89 or any of my 9mm carbines.

epr105 · June 1, 2010, 11:02 PM

356 for lead 9mm 358 for lead .38 special or 357 mag loads.
Go with the hard cast 356 for the 9mm 125 gr always works best for me using titegroup. 355 For jacketed projectiles in 9mm.
Ed

PCJim · June 1, 2010, 11:16 PM

To determine what will shoot best in your particular barrel, you should slug it. 9mm barrels do have some variance, and a bullet that is too narrow for your barrel will definitely cause leading. That being said, most 9mm lead bullets are sized .356. I have come across some at .3555 that have really left some lead behind in the barrel.

Leading can be caused by several factors - too narrow a bullet for the barrel, the hardness of the bullet as it relates to the pressure being developed (powder type and charge), improper bullet lube, etc. Lead is easy enough to remove from a barrel - take several strands from a copper Chore Boy scrub pad, wrap them around an old bronze brush and run it back and forth, completely thru the barrel, until removed.

WESHOOT2 · June 2, 2010, 09:33 AM

.356" (and I have on my shelves lead bullets intended for the .355" bores ranging from .354" up to .357").

June 1, 2010, 01:32 PM	#1
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	Please Help ... Reloading 9mm Beretta M9 & Lead Bullets Does anyone here load lead bullets in their Beretta M9? The reason I ask is because I don't know whether to order a .355 dia. or .356 dia. lead bullet for my barrel. It's a standard Beretta Barrel, and I heard from a 'lead shooter' that if the diameter is too small it can lead to leading. So ... it needs to be just right. Thanks in advance. __________________ *Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto* - “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.”

June 1, 2010, 09:46 PM	#2
K96771 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2006 Location: NJ Pinelands Posts: 120	I find that my 92fs likes .356. Someone will say to slug your barrel, but when in doubt, I think .356 is the best way to go. I use Missouri Bullet Company 125 grain LRN with 3.5 grains of Bullseye. It's very accurate and easy to clean up. I own no stock in the company, but they ship quick and the price is right. www.missouribullet.com __________________ Tom

June 1, 2010, 10:19 PM	#3
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	With lead bullets, too big is better than too small. (Within reason.) My 9mm bullets get sized to .357 and I have no leading or pressure problems in my P-89 or any of my 9mm carbines. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

June 1, 2010, 11:02 PM	#4
epr105 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Sullivan County, New York Posts: 241	356 for lead 9mm 358 for lead .38 special or 357 mag loads. Go with the hard cast 356 for the 9mm 125 gr always works best for me using titegroup. 355 For jacketed projectiles in 9mm. Ed __________________ Two to the chest and one to the head

June 2, 2010, 09:33 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	quick and easy .356" (and I have on my shelves lead bullets intended for the .355" bores ranging from .354" up to .357"). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 1, 2010, 11:16 PM	#5
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	To determine what will shoot best in your particular barrel, you should slug it. 9mm barrels do have some variance, and a bullet that is too narrow for your barrel will definitely cause leading. That being said, most 9mm lead bullets are sized .356. I have come across some at .3555 that have really left some lead behind in the barrel. Leading can be caused by several factors - too narrow a bullet for the barrel, the hardness of the bullet as it relates to the pressure being developed (powder type and charge), improper bullet lube, etc. Lead is easy enough to remove from a barrel - take several strands from a copper Chore Boy scrub pad, wrap them around an old bronze brush and run it back and forth, completely thru the barrel, until removed.