9mm in a 38

scottw10 · February 23, 2008, 10:01 PM

Has anyone used 9mm bullets in a 38 or 357? If so how did it do for accuracy?

somerled · February 24, 2008, 12:10 AM

No, I haven't. The 9mm bullets are undersize (.355) and usually don't have a cannelure. If they do, it isn't in the right place for crimping. Since they are undersize they are really going to be a loose fit in .38 Special or .357 cases unless one uses an undersize expanding plug. In a revolver it is imperative the bullets are held securely by the case neck and a good crimp so the bullets don't jump forward and keep the cylinder from rotating. It also helps to keep pressure uniform and makes it more likely groups will be tight.

Accuracy--it might or might not be there with undersize bullets. Most likely it won't be there. It would sure be easier to find a accurate load with .357 inch bullets.

caz223 · February 24, 2008, 12:24 AM

Ruger made (And may still make.) a line of convertaible revolver blackhawks which include a spare cylinder that allows it to accept another caliber and this was an offering from them. .38/.357 and 9mm.
I can't speak for the accuracy, as I havent owned one, but it would be easy enough to google if one knew where to start looking...

Creature · February 24, 2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Has anyone used 9mm bullets in a 38 or 357? If so how did it do for accuracy?

Huh?

TexasSeaRay · February 24, 2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Ruger made (And may still make.) a line of convertaible revolver blackhawks which include a spare cylinder that allows it to accept another caliber and this was an offering from them. .38/.357 and 9mm.
I can't speak for the accuracy, as I havent owned one, but it would be easy enough to google if one knew where to start looking...

Own one, and it shoots well.

It was kind of odd to load 9mm rounds in a single-six cylinder the first time. . .

Jeff

Creature · February 24, 2008, 01:36 AM

Are we even sure this is what the OP is asking?

scsov509 · February 24, 2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Are we even sure this is what the OP is asking?

I believe the question is about using .355 bullets in loading .38 or .357 cartridges. Do a search and you'll find that some have done it with good results while others have had fairly poor results.

Creature · February 24, 2008, 01:41 AM

Ahh, got it. I didnt know that this was even done.

scottw10 · February 24, 2008, 02:21 AM

Ruger still makes a SA revolver that comes with both cylinders. I am ready to order one and was wanting info on the 9mm in the barrel as it is .001 smaller in DIA. I have lots of 9mm bullets and will reload it in 38 or 357 cases as well as regular 9mm cases. If it works it will be more convenient to use the 38 and 357 brass.

caz223 · February 24, 2008, 05:49 AM

I just googled 9mm convertible and accuracy, and got a few hits, mostly from THR and TFL.
It's an interesting study in leade, bore diameter, and point of aim.
I don't know if anyone has slugged their barrel to find out if it is any smaller, or not. It would be interesting to drive a .355 or .356 lead slug down the barrel and see how deep the rifling is....
I know some pythons in the 60s had tighter barrels, (And shot better because of it.) and I would assume manufacturing tolerances would make some of these guns great, and some poor.
I hope you get a good one. If you do, don't sell it.
I think most of the bad things I hear about them are people who don't actually own one, and are theorizing......
From a utility standpoint, it's a good idea.
I'm sure that somewhere there's a .357 blackhawk that has barrel that slugs out to .358 or .359 and still shoots fine with .357 bullets.
The chamber throats would also be a part of the equation.

billiam915 · February 25, 2008, 03:38 AM

I just bought a Ruger blackhawk 9mm/.357 convertible and it is my favorite handgun by far. as far as loading .355(9mm) bullets into a case designed for .357-.358, i do now know.

Darren007 · February 25, 2008, 04:17 AM

I have a Ruger Blackhawk .357 convertible and have shot it with 9mm rounds. Accuracy wasnt any better or worse then shooting .357 or .38. Just my 2 cents...

SL1 · February 25, 2008, 09:22 AM

Scottw10,

I have shot 90 grain .355" bullets though my Ruger Security Six, using 357 magnum cases. I used a carbide sizing die and an expander plug for the 9mm instead of the .357 magnum. (You need a .353" or less plug diameter to get enough grip on the bullet.) I used a fairly stout taper crimp on the bullets.

I was surprised at the accuracy I got. Groups were well under 2" at 25 yards using iron sights, once I worked the powder charge up to the point that it was expanding the bullets to fit the cylinder throats. I think it helped that I was using light, rather soft bullets. Heavier bullets would have more recoil and would make it harder to crimp enough to stop the bullets from creeping forward. Harder bullets would have required more pressure to make them slug-up to fit the throats, and thus more velocity and more recoil.

The bullets I was using were the old cup-and-core type. Although the newer copper plated types are soft, their cladding may not like the tight crimp or the velocity. So, I would at least not start my experiments with those if I was going to do this again.

It's a cheap thing to try, so have fun and let us know what results you get.

SL1

WESHOOT2 · February 27, 2008, 08:44 AM

I have '9mm' bullets that mike at .357"; I have '357' bullets that mike at .354".

I have used many of those 9mm .357" bullets, with no cannelure, in my 357 Redhawk IPSC Major loads.
Weight = 151g; configuration = TCJ-RN.
(Powder = Universal Clays).

I try stuff.
I try to stay safe doing it.
Might try Alliant Power Pistol under those 9mm bullets you'd like to shoot through your convertible; maybe AA5; maybe HS6.

Crimp alone will NOT secure a bullet; case neck tension secures the bullet.

armoredman · February 27, 2008, 09:57 AM

Sort of - I cast my own, in a Lee Tumble Lube 124gr .356 mould, which drops them oversize at .360. So, I use two Lee sizing kits, and size them at .358 for my Smith 10-8 .38 Special, and .356 for my CZ PO1 9mm. Works quite well in both platforms.

Jbar4Ranch · February 27, 2008, 10:23 AM

I used to use an unsized, tumble lubed Lyman cast 147 grain RFN BB 9mm bullet in .38 spl for CAS, but when my daughter started the sport a couple years ago, they would sometimes collapse into the case in her M92, so I switched to a conventional 158 grain RN. I never had a problem with them in my .38 cal CAS guns. (Vaqueros and a pair of 1866's)

kart racer · February 27, 2008, 06:42 PM

If you get a blackhawk convertible use 38 super bullets in 9mm brass.I've loaded a bunch for my buddy and the accuracy between the 355 and 356 bullets were unreal.I used power pistol 5.5-5.7,star or zero 124 gr jacketed bullets.

tplumeri · February 27, 2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Ruger made (And may still make.) a line of convertaible revolver blackhawks

I have a SS blackhawk convertible. not offered from the factory in SS. Custom job from forum member Redstick (great guy!)
Great gun! cheap to fire (mm is what attracted me to it.

February 23, 2008, 10:01 PM	#1
scottw10 Member Join Date: March 5, 2007 Location: tulsa, ok Posts: 17	9mm in a 38 Has anyone used 9mm bullets in a 38 or 357? If so how did it do for accuracy?

February 24, 2008, 12:24 AM	#3
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	Ruger made (And may still make.) a line of convertaible revolver blackhawks which include a spare cylinder that allows it to accept another caliber and this was an offering from them. .38/.357 and 9mm. I can't speak for the accuracy, as I havent owned one, but it would be easy enough to google if one knew where to start looking... __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

February 24, 2008, 05:49 AM	#10
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	I just googled 9mm convertible and accuracy, and got a few hits, mostly from THR and TFL. It's an interesting study in leade, bore diameter, and point of aim. I don't know if anyone has slugged their barrel to find out if it is any smaller, or not. It would be interesting to drive a .355 or .356 lead slug down the barrel and see how deep the rifling is.... I know some pythons in the 60s had tighter barrels, (And shot better because of it.) and I would assume manufacturing tolerances would make some of these guns great, and some poor. I hope you get a good one. If you do, don't sell it. I think most of the bad things I hear about them are people who don't actually own one, and are theorizing...... From a utility standpoint, it's a good idea. I'm sure that somewhere there's a .357 blackhawk that has barrel that slugs out to .358 or .359 and still shoots fine with .357 bullets. The chamber throats would also be a part of the equation. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

February 25, 2008, 03:38 AM	#11
billiam915 Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2005 Posts: 10	RUGER BLACKHAWK- 9mm/357 I just bought a Ruger blackhawk 9mm/.357 convertible and it is my favorite handgun by far. as far as loading .355(9mm) bullets into a case designed for .357-.358, i do now know.

February 27, 2008, 08:44 AM	#14
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	size matters I have '9mm' bullets that mike at .357"; I have '357' bullets that mike at .354". I have used many of those 9mm .357" bullets, with no cannelure, in my 357 Redhawk IPSC Major loads. Weight = 151g; configuration = TCJ-RN. (Powder = Universal Clays). I try stuff. I try to stay safe doing it. Might try Alliant Power Pistol under those 9mm bullets you'd like to shoot through your convertible; maybe AA5; maybe HS6. Crimp alone will NOT secure a bullet; case neck tension secures the bullet. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

February 24, 2008, 12:10 AM	#2
somerled Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: eastern Kansas Posts: 603	No, I haven't. The 9mm bullets are undersize (.355) and usually don't have a cannelure. If they do, it isn't in the right place for crimping. Since they are undersize they are really going to be a loose fit in .38 Special or .357 cases unless one uses an undersize expanding plug. In a revolver it is imperative the bullets are held securely by the case neck and a good crimp so the bullets don't jump forward and keep the cylinder from rotating. It also helps to keep pressure uniform and makes it more likely groups will be tight. Accuracy--it might or might not be there with undersize bullets. Most likely it won't be there. It would sure be easier to find a accurate load with .357 inch bullets.

February 24, 2008, 01:36 AM	#6
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	Are we even sure this is what the OP is asking?

February 24, 2008, 01:41 AM	#8
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	Ahh, got it. I didnt know that this was even done.

February 24, 2008, 02:21 AM	#9
scottw10 Member Join Date: March 5, 2007 Location: tulsa, ok Posts: 17	Ruger still makes a SA revolver that comes with both cylinders. I am ready to order one and was wanting info on the 9mm in the barrel as it is .001 smaller in DIA. I have lots of 9mm bullets and will reload it in 38 or 357 cases as well as regular 9mm cases. If it works it will be more convenient to use the 38 and 357 brass.

February 25, 2008, 04:17 AM	#12
Darren007 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,053	I have a Ruger Blackhawk .357 convertible and have shot it with 9mm rounds. Accuracy wasnt any better or worse then shooting .357 or .38. Just my 2 cents...

February 25, 2008, 09:22 AM	#13
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	Scottw10, I have shot 90 grain .355" bullets though my Ruger Security Six, using 357 magnum cases. I used a carbide sizing die and an expander plug for the 9mm instead of the .357 magnum. (You need a .353" or less plug diameter to get enough grip on the bullet.) I used a fairly stout taper crimp on the bullets. I was surprised at the accuracy I got. Groups were well under 2" at 25 yards using iron sights, once I worked the powder charge up to the point that it was expanding the bullets to fit the cylinder throats. I think it helped that I was using light, rather soft bullets. Heavier bullets would have more recoil and would make it harder to crimp enough to stop the bullets from creeping forward. Harder bullets would have required more pressure to make them slug-up to fit the throats, and thus more velocity and more recoil. The bullets I was using were the old cup-and-core type. Although the newer copper plated types are soft, their cladding may not like the tight crimp or the velocity. So, I would at least not start my experiments with those if I was going to do this again. It's a cheap thing to try, so have fun and let us know what results you get. SL1

February 27, 2008, 09:57 AM	#15
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	Sort of - I cast my own, in a Lee Tumble Lube 124gr .356 mould, which drops them oversize at .360. So, I use two Lee sizing kits, and size them at .358 for my Smith 10-8 .38 Special, and .356 for my CZ PO1 9mm. Works quite well in both platforms.

February 27, 2008, 10:23 AM	#16
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	I used to use an unsized, tumble lubed Lyman cast 147 grain RFN BB 9mm bullet in .38 spl for CAS, but when my daughter started the sport a couple years ago, they would sometimes collapse into the case in her M92, so I switched to a conventional 158 grain RN. I never had a problem with them in my .38 cal CAS guns. (Vaqueros and a pair of 1866's) __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

February 27, 2008, 06:42 PM	#17
kart racer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 175	If you get a blackhawk convertible use 38 super bullets in 9mm brass.I've loaded a bunch for my buddy and the accuracy between the 355 and 356 bullets were unreal.I used power pistol 5.5-5.7,star or zero 124 gr jacketed bullets.