One of the biggest hits by the "FCD bashers" is the fact that while the die does "size" the bullet the brass will spring back some while the lead will not. So while the FCD will post size the bullets you could lose some case tension. If you try it be sure to check for bullet set back after chambering. If that does not prove to be an issue you might have found a use for those pesky .38 bullets.

 

Understood. I have been "playing" with these for a few days after I loaded them and was keen to observe any evidence of what you brought up. If the brass is "springing-back", it is not evident by a loose bullet, or out of tolerance measurement. I am running .379-.380 at the case mouth, which is SAMMI spec....on the drawing I have anyway.

This sounds a bit strange, but neither gun is in my hands at the moment. The Springer is on it's way back from the factory after a little warranty tweaking and the revolver is in the mail to me as well. I am just doing some pre-fitting and shooting thinking.

I would MOST like to hear from someone in-the-know concerning that note on the spec-page.....,3555-.0030. I don't know if that means +- or JUST minus. If it means plus/minus....I should be good-to-go?

I will attach a copy of that spec-sheet if I can convert it to a jpg format. The forum does not seem to like the pdf format.

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EDIT: I have the spec attached now and have circled the note I have the question about.

 

You should be fine with those oversize bullets. In fact, Schuemann (Schuemann barrels) recommends a jacketed bullet of .001 to .002 inches larger, and lead bullets .002 to .003 inches larger than the groove diameter for the best accuracy. Your .358 bullets fit the .003 criteria. In fact, if you slug your barrel you might discover that it measures larger than the .355 that is specified by the SAAMI specs. See the link below for more information.

http://38super.net/Pages/355 vs 356.html

 

Very good reading and I am now much more comfortable than I was an hour ago. They will be a bit short on OAL, but well within the minimal tolerance of 1". The 1911 in question has a fully ramped barrel and I suppose we will see if I have any feeding issues with a round of +-1.03 OAL. Of course....the OAL will not be of much concern in the revolver. This Lee mold tosses petty accurately around .357. I will occasionally run across one a bit larger, but that's likely the cause of the "mold holder"....which would be me.

I am glad I had cast all these slugs some time ago and they were primarily used for my 38-special revolvers. I really need to work-up a good load for the 1911. We all know how hard it is to find reloading supplies in the current panic.

Thanks folks. I am only a "casual" reloader and need to avoid any unknown pitfalls beforehand.

 

.358" 9mm loads

The major concern is to find out if your reloads will chamber properly by doing the "plunk test." Some chambers may be tighter than others, and it may not work with a .358" sized bullet. I would not make a lot of 9mmo amm with the bigger bullets until you find out if they will chamber properly.

The reason why there is a wide range of tolerance on the 9mm is because there was no standard barrel/bore size in many European pistols for many years. Some Lugers and Walthers need to use a .358" lead bullet to prevent the rounds from keyholing on target.

Modern American made 9mm pistols all seem to use use an inside bore diameter of the barrel at .355". The same bore size is often used for .38super barrels as well.

If push comes to shove, you could certainly buy a resizer and a .356" die, then resize your .358" lead bullets.

 

We cover this question regularly. Generally speaking, there is little or no trouble.


To see if the FCD is screwing up your ammo, just shoot some for accuracy.





By the way, you should understand that .3550-.0030 means 0.3520 to 0.3550.
The minus sign is minus only, not plus and minus.


0.3550 +/- .0030 is both plus and minus. The minus sign only is just minus.

 

Thanks Nick....that is one of the questions I needed answered.

Rich.....I built 10 only and the thought of grabbing a sizer die has not escaped my thinking as well.

I know that in most cases, lead slugs can be a bit over-sized, but a sizer as insurance is relatively cheap for as many of these slugs I have.