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Old April 11, 2013, 09:17 PM   #1
TheRaskalKing
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Heaviest Bullet weight for 9mm?

Hey all, I'm mostly new to reloading, and like everybody else I'm trying to hunt down 9mm bullets. A local guy has some .356 150 grain bullets available, (I think he said they were meant for 38 super) but this seems super heavy for 9mm. Could they be safely used? I'm at work and don't have either of my reloading manuals nearby, please advise! Thanks!
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Old April 11, 2013, 09:30 PM   #2
serf 'rett
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Most common 9mm - 115 grain, 124 grain and 147 grain. As I understand it, 38 Super is a slightly different animal.
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Old April 11, 2013, 09:45 PM   #3
Adamantium
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38 super shoots the same diameter bullets that 9mm shoots, namely .355 and .356. Most 38 supers are also semi-autos (though a few are revolver) and so they have good nose profiles for feeding as well.

If I were reloading the 150gr bullets I'd use 147gr cast lead (if they are lead, which I am assuming they are) load data for them.

But to answer the question in the title, I've seen 9mm loaded up to 158gr bullets.
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Old April 11, 2013, 09:48 PM   #4
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Are they cast lead bullets? If they are sized .356" they're probably fine except for the small differences associated with loading cast lead bullets like ensuring that their .001" above the barrels groove diameter, are of sufficient hardness where Brinell 15 is hard enough, then making sure you use an appropriate OACL. Jacketed bullets at 150 grs. are not very common so you might also want to know if they're actually plated rather than jacketed bullets.
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Old April 11, 2013, 10:41 PM   #5
Sure Shot Mc Gee
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I'm looking at a published loading using a 158 gr cast. Mold used is a Lyman 358311. So it is possible to shoot a heavier cast in a 9mm. All of the powders used are quick burn pistol and Unique> (4 total) Very small powder charges used. From 3 to 4.6 grs Max depending on powder brand used. Speeds are ranging from 850 to just barely over 1000 fps.

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Old April 12, 2013, 10:11 AM   #6
g.willikers
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Since the 147 grain bullets are quite often slightly heavier, (and lighter) than advertised, it's hard to imagine that a 150 would be a problem.
The shape and length of the bullet, and loaded depth in the case, is more important than the weight, particularly in this example.
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Old April 12, 2013, 11:46 AM   #7
F. Guffey
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I called local reloaders to ask if they had any interest in 147 grain 9mm jacketed ‘sub-sonic’ bullets, no interest, I purchased 100, someone else choose to take home the the rest, thousandths of them.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/67730

1 day later one of the local reloaders called and ask about the 147 grain 9mm bullets, all gone.

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Old April 14, 2013, 11:24 PM   #8
WESHOOT2
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use 147g data

The heaviest I have on my shelf are 151g (two different plated bullets); there are a number of suppliers offering a 160g "9mm" bullet.

I still have a big box of R-P 147g FMJs...
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Old April 14, 2013, 11:40 PM   #9
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Fiocchi produces 158 gr 9mm ammo.
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Old April 15, 2013, 12:19 AM   #10
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I believe IMI used to make and sell a jacketed bullet load with a 158 gr. bullet. They're out there, but as I said before, there not that common. Cast and plated are a different matter where you can find all sorts of different weights. For my use, the 147 gr. JHP is the most practical heavyweight.
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