Slugged my barrel what bullet size?

[T-Bones]

I slugged my 9mm barrel. And it mikes at .3555". Would .356" bullets be big enough to get a good seal? Would .356" bullets be big enough to get a good bite in the grooves? Or would I need to use .3565" or possibly .357" bullets? I am wanting to use 125 grain rn , and shooting around 1001 fps.

 

[Blue68f100]

I would go with the .357" if it were me. You want a min of 0.001" over the bore. Don't think you will find one at 0.3565"

 

[grubbylabs]

.357

 

[BCRider]

We talking cast lead or jacketed? Also I'm going to assume here that it's the groove diameter you mic'ed. I think you'll find that for jacketed that the .356 is pretty normal. For cast lead .001 to .002 over the groove diameter is what I've seen suggested.

 

[sexybeast]

Jacketed or plated I would use .356. Bullets for 38 super are available. .355 bullets might work. Thats a little smaller than my M&P 9 barrel and .355's work ok. I use .357 with lead 147's. I don't think my 125's even go 1100fps.
2nd, asking 1100fps out of a 9mm with a 147 is asking a lot. I've never tried it so I am not saying it can't be done, just saying that it sounds hard to do. It can be done with 357sig and 38 super.

 

[Nordeste]

IMHO, .356" will do. Particularly if you use hollow base lead or copper plated bullets.

I agree with sexybeast. You asking 1100 fps with a 147 grain bullet and that's asking for too much.

 

[T-Bones]

Mastercast in IL has some in .3565". But I don't know if their still in business. Best price I've seen, under $70 for 1,000. Next in line is dardas. They sell 9mm bullets in .357". I have some bullets from Dardas for .357 revolver Work good. I got the fps wrong. Data said 1,001 fps not 1,100 fps. If I will get that I don't know.

 

[billybob44]

Jacketed or plated I would use .356. Bullets for 38 super are available. .355 bullets might work. Thats a little smaller than my M&P 9 barrel and .355's work ok. I use .357 with lead 147's. I don't think my 125's even go 1100fps.
2nd, asking 1100fps out of a 9mm with a 147 is asking a lot. I've never tried it so I am not saying it can't be done, just saying that it sounds hard to do. It can be done with 357sig and 38 super.

+1 on hard to do..
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
^^^You are going to need to go WELL over Max charge to get 1100fps. out of a 147gr. Lead Boolit...Bill.

 

[billybob44]

For what it's worth..

I cast a 125gr. LRN out of a Lee 'Six Gang" mold, heat up 'Jakes Red' lube, and size to .357".

I load these to around 1050fps. with Unique, HS-6, or PowerPistol. They shoot well in my CZ's and Glocks (Lone Wolf barrel), and do not lead much.

Sounds like the OP is trying to make Power Factor with the wrong load, or caliber???.....Bill.

 

[T-Bones]

well i have been having good results with 4.7 grains unique and 5.0 unique respectively. Using Missouri bullets. am getting some hs-6 and accurate no.5 to try also. still have not choronographed yet. i'm slow. but no signs of leading.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I would use .357 but to be honest i size all my 9mm to .358

 

[LiveLife]

9mm barrel ... mikes at .3555" ... 147 grain Missouri rnfp, and shooting around 1100 fps ... 4.7/5.0 unique

My KKM/Lone Wolf 9mm barrels slug at .355"-.356" and used MBC 18 BHN 9mm bullets sized .356" and .357" with good results and no leading, even at lower powder charges. I do not think you need larger sized bullets than .357" since .356" sized MBC bullets at 18 BHN is working out for you without leading, especially at over max charges you are using.

Sounds like the OP is trying to make Power Factor with the wrong load, or caliber???

+1. And the reason for wanting to push the 147 gr lead bullet to 1100 fps?

While there's no current Alliant load data for 147 gr lead bullet and Unique, Alliant lists 4.3 gr max charge for 147 gr GDHP at 954 fps using 1.130" OAL and 2004 Alliant load data lists 3.9 gr max charge for 147 gr XTP at 912 fps using 1.140" OAL - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=182147&d=1364769070

Lyman #49 used .355" groove diameter 4" test barrel and lists 3.8 gr of Unique for max charge for 147 gr lead bullet at 956 fps using 1.058" OAL.

I could see 147 gr lead bullet pushed to 1000 fps but not 1100 fps with larger groove diameter barrel. Perhaps you have a longer barrel?

getting some hs-6 and accurate no.5 to try also. still have not choronographed yet.

Lymans #49 shows 968 fps with HS-6 and 1033 fps with Power Pistol and 1061 fps with No. 7, which is the highest velocity listed with smaller .355" groove diameter test barrel, so with your .3555" groove diameter barrel, HS-6/No. 5 may not get you 1000 fps but Power Pistol/No. 7 may.

[Update] Just read post # 7 indicating OP got the fps wrong and should be 1001 fps and not 1100 fps - OP might want to edit the initial post.