Both Acme and MBC have SWC style bullets for 9mm. They are in 150 grain and 125 grain weights respectively. I’d like to try the. To see how they work but I only have experience loading SWC in revolver cartridges. Does one load to the groove and apply a taper crimp?
Loading 9mm with SWC Style Bullets
- Thread starter DMW1116
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GeoDudeFlorida
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Load them so they pass the plunk test in your barrels chambers. If that’s in the crimping groove, then groovy. If you have to seat deeper then that’s fine too.
Adjust your powder charge accordingly.
LiveLife
Member
I have loaded MBC/Dardas SWC and CN.
Like loading .45ACP 200 SWC, I leave about a "thumbnail" thickness of shoulder above the case mouth to essentially duplicate "stepped" RN profile with non-contact surfaces removed (But since SWC is same weight as RN, bullet base gets extended). And I apply taper crimp with .022" added (Thickness of case walls) to the diameter of bullet (So for .356" sized bullet, .356" + .011" + .011" = .378" taper crimp).
And since elongated bullet base will bulge the case neck more, if finished rounds won't fully chamber, try using thinner case wall brass like Blazer/FC/Speer - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nd-bullet-setback.830072/page-3#post-10713822
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CQB45ACP
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Beautiful and informative. I don't know how you have time to shoot (you do, correct?) with all your testing and photography.I have loaded MBC/Dardas SWC and CN.
Like loading .45ACP 200 SWC, I leave about a "thumbnail" thickness of shoulder above the case mouth to essentially duplicate "stepped" RN profile with non-contact surfaces removed (But since SWC is same weight as RN, bullet base gets extended). And I apply taper crimp with .022" added (Thickness of case walls) to the diameter of bullet (So for .356" sized bullet, .356" + .011" + .011" = .378" taper crimp).
And since elongated bullet base will bulge the case neck more, if finished rounds won't fully chamber, try using thinner case wall brass like Blazer/FC/Speer - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nd-bullet-setback.830072/page-3#post-10713822
CQB45ACP
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Does a standard 9mm seating stem work on a 9mm SWC?
Jim Watson
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I just got done loading some Brazos 150 gr SWCs, they look like the same mould number as Acme.
I got nervous about seating them deep enough to gauge, so there is a lot of shoulder showing and they only plunk in my Springfield. Powder charge is still less than for 147 gr RN for the same velocity.
If I wanted more of the type, I would get the 124.
My Hornady Microjust seating die plug is not a good fit and "remodels" the nose.
I got nervous about seating them deep enough to gauge, so there is a lot of shoulder showing and they only plunk in my Springfield. Powder charge is still less than for 147 gr RN for the same velocity.
If I wanted more of the type, I would get the 124.
My Hornady Microjust seating die plug is not a good fit and "remodels" the nose.
CQB45ACP
Member
Your "remodel" comment is why I asked about a standard stem. In 45acp, I got "remodeling" and inconsistent seating with a standard Redding stem. So, several years ago, I "remodeled" it by removing material until the only thing contacted was the bullet's shoulder. Works like a charm but ironically haven't loaded an SWC in over one year.
Well I’m glad to see no one reminded me I started a thread like this about a year ago.
Anyway, most of my shooting is target shooting, even with my 9mm. The SWC bullets from my 357 leave nice round holes that are easy to measure so I thought the same from my 9mm would be nice too.
Anyway, most of my shooting is target shooting, even with my 9mm. The SWC bullets from my 357 leave nice round holes that are easy to measure so I thought the same from my 9mm would be nice too.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Which answers the first question - yes, it will work. The answer to question that wasn’t asked is, But it’s not the best choice.
Flat stems are the next best option for bullets with a flat nose; or a modified stem, like you made.
Jim Watson
Member
I thought so, too. I wanted to alternate SWC and RN so I could tell the two hits from a double tap apart. But it did not work, the pucker is about the same.
I just use a flat plug when I seat SWCs if thats what your asking. Then again, I use a flat plug for every bullet. A round nose HiTek coated bullet will get a slight flat spot on the point, but Ive never had that happen with a jacketed bullet. Doesnt seem to matter at the target.
Maybe velocity is an issue. I use flat point 147 grain bullets in my 9mm now and 158 grain swc in my 357. They make distinctly different holes, but also have pretty different velocity.
Jim Watson
Member
In fresh cardboard I can press out the pucker from the back and see a small round hole from the nose flat of the SWC, not its shoulder. A friend said he painted rifle bullet noses to distinguish loads, but Magic Marker leaves only a very faint trace from a pistol bullet.
Me too
CQB45ACP
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Yes it is. Thanks.
GeoDudeFlorida
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The only true SWC that has given me that clean scoring hole is the 115gr Saeco 925. Great bullet but fussy to seat.
The target material seems important. I’m using paper. Cardboard is less clear and doesn’t show as much detail. Also, I use Sharpie markers then use rubbing alcohol to make the color run so I can see it. It works on paper. I’ve never tried it in cardboard.
Large round holes are SWC from 357. Small round holes with tears around them are 9mm flat point at 900 fps. The ragged tear hole at 6 o’clock is a 9mm 115 grain FMJ. The small ones are 22 lr holes.
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GeoDudeFlorida
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Yup. And hollow points.
LiveLife
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I am retired and shot over million pistol/rifle rounds past 30 years (Not counting 22LR which runs into several hundred thousand rounds) spending over $170,000 just on reloading components and equipment (Up to 20 presses).
And I took photography and yearbook photography in High School and directly oversaw yearbook production in college taking all portrait photos (Using no glare foundation/make up for subjects and all manual Nikon FM) from 100 feet bulk 35mm film into reusable rolls inside makeshift "dark room" in the closet. In recent decades, met a friend at a dog park who is a professional photographer for custom car magazines finicky about art of lighting.
Before moving to retirement property, I used 2 CFL gooseneck lamps clamped over my portable reloading table with curved copy paper background to mostly eliminate shadows with supplemental high intensity LED flashlight for detail using Olympus SP-600UZ on macro zoom that my mom ended up taking because it had image stabilized zoom for her shaky hands. Currently, I am using 2 LED gooseneck lights bounced off white painted ceiling for no shadow with Husky bench as primary background (In recent decades, I have switched to smartphones with auto focus macro and currently using 4 camera Samsung A12 with super macro zoom).
High intensity LED flashlight used as supplemental lighting to show zoomed in detail of primer anvils and moisture barrier cups
Macro with auto zoom on LG Premier smartphone to show details of W231/HP-38 and Sport Pistol granules and size difference/consistency for metering (I could have used supplemental lighting but it was quicky picture taking and I was just interested in showing granular characteristics of flattened ball powder vs cut extruded stick powder)
Since my retirement on 7/4/2019, I have better focused on projects I have been wanting to do for years (Like over 40,000 round 22LR comparison accuracy testing of now 47 brands/weights/lots at 50/100 yards) along with conducting myth busting of shooting/reloading related topics - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...es]=1&c[nodes][0]=15&c[users]=LiveLife&o=date
While much of my retirement time is focused on wife of 29 years "honey do" projects (And believe me, she earned them) along with 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 mini pigs, 2 guinea pigs and countless chickens, my primary "hobby" (Saltwater fishing and 3 boat restoration is on hold due to back issues) is still shooting and reloading while beta/product testing for Lee Precision as I do another reloading room setup with unlimited budget - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nimalist-set-up-with-unlimited-budget.912629/
Thankfully, I have several BLM shooting spots out to 300 yards near me with 50/100 yard area closest to me about 35 minutes away and now gearing up to do portable range/field reloading setup for 0.1 gr incremental accuracy node testing with .223 55/62/69/75 gr bullets along with 22LR 47 brands/weights/lots comparison testing (I have various pistol/PCC load testing on hold with Just Right carbine with 9mm/40S&W/45ACP conversions).
This is my version of "Living Life Now" with priority given to wife of 29 years (Whatever she says, goes
).Sorry for the thread jack.
Back to OP.
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slickracer
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Those Dardas 125 SWCs were superior- notice the flat base compared to the others. His bullets are still the nicest cast bullets I've seen.I have loaded MBC/Dardas SWC and CN.
Like loading .45ACP 200 SWC, I leave about a "thumbnail" thickness of shoulder above the case mouth to essentially duplicate "stepped" RN profile with non-contact surfaces removed (But since SWC is same weight as RN, bullet base gets extended). And I apply taper crimp with .022" added (Thickness of case walls) to the diameter of bullet (So for .356" sized bullet, .356" + .011" + .011" = .378" taper crimp).
And since elongated bullet base will bulge the case neck more, if finished rounds won't fully chamber, try using thinner case wall brass like Blazer/FC/Speer - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nd-bullet-setback.830072/page-3#post-10713822
LiveLife
Member
Yes, I bought those Dardas SWC because they were "flat based" for greater accuracy when most commercially available cast bullets are "bevel based".
LV Gun
Member
I have used the MBC SWC and a Rim Rock RN that looks like the Dardas one with great results. I am going to have to try the Dardas SWC I like flat base bullets I just do what you do , SWC are great in 9mm and they feed fine for me .I have loaded MBC/Dardas SWC and CN.
Like loading .45ACP 200 SWC, I leave about a "thumbnail" thickness of shoulder above the case mouth to essentially duplicate "stepped" RN profile with non-contact surfaces removed (But since SWC is same weight as RN, bullet base gets extended). And I apply taper crimp with .022" added (Thickness of case walls) to the diameter of bullet (So for .356" sized bullet, .356" + .011" + .011" = .378" taper crimp).
And since elongated bullet base will bulge the case neck more, if finished rounds won't fully chamber, try using thinner case wall brass like Blazer/FC/Speer - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nd-bullet-setback.830072/page-3#post-10713822
I'm out of 9mm projectiles for loading right now. I'll have to buy some soon. The Gallant bullets I was using before don't seem available any longer. I've stopped at Sportsman's Warehouse several times looking for them and their selection keeps dwindling. I've had good luck with MBC bullets in 30-30 and 357 Magnum. Some nice hole cutting target 9mm bullets would be nice. My S&W's seem to prefer heavier bullets, so the 150 vs 125 grain weight will be a decision I need to make between the Acme and MBC projectiles respectively. At this point it may depend on which other bullets I run out of first. I shoot two different bullets from Acme and MBC in my 30-30 and shoot the 158 grain MBC SWC in my 357 Magnum. It will probably be Acme, as I have more MBC bullets in the other calibers than anything else.
AJC1
Member
So I prefer the Lee sw mold for your conundrum. Any bullet with a step will cut the clean hole but the round nose of the sw feeds waaaaay better.
