What brand of dies and bullets do most of you 9mm pistol shooter's use and like? New to pistol reloading so any suggestions or comments are more than welcome!
Thanks....
Gene
Thanks....
Gene
9mm Dies and Bullets
- Thread starter gene10pntr
- Start date
I shoot the Missouri cast bullets in both 9 mm and 45. Great value especially if you buy them at powder valley. I use lee dies, just because they came with a used press I bought. They get the job done considering it's not match grade ammo.
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
I also use various bullets in the 9mm and I also use rcbs,they do a good job and my gun doesnt jamb with my reloads and thats what counts.When I use my dillon for bigger pistol cases ,I use the dillon dies for the caliber.
wapiti25 said:
Something you should check into...always use store bought rounds for self defense!! There have been many cases where reloads lost out in our courts because some smart-a$$ed layer proved that by you making them it shows intent to use them. Seems absolutely stupid, but it's a fact. I have been and NRA instructor for over 24 years, and in and around law enforcement jobs even longer, and that's the prevailing thoughts. Hornady Critical Defense is a good choice.
I used the Redding carbide dies with taper crimp.
as to bullets, if the bbl is std rifling, (not Glock or HK) I shoot 115 cast bullets from RCBS molds sized .356 for plinking, and just plain practice, keeping my jacketed bullets for serious use.
I find the cast bullets shoot as well as the jackets up to 15 yd which I consider a 9mm useful for unless you have some other purpose.
I cast my own as it is cheaper, also there is a lot of hype about "hard cast" commercial bullets, that is not necessary, they do that so they don't get damaged in shipping -no one likes to buy bullets and have them come dented by the rough handling in shipment. also hard cast will in some cases lead worse that normal lead bullets,
Take any factory lead bullet ammo most any caliber - pull it and you fill find it is not "hard cast" I use a SAECO hardness tester.
Bob
as to bullets, if the bbl is std rifling, (not Glock or HK) I shoot 115 cast bullets from RCBS molds sized .356 for plinking, and just plain practice, keeping my jacketed bullets for serious use.
I find the cast bullets shoot as well as the jackets up to 15 yd which I consider a 9mm useful for unless you have some other purpose.
I cast my own as it is cheaper, also there is a lot of hype about "hard cast" commercial bullets, that is not necessary, they do that so they don't get damaged in shipping -no one likes to buy bullets and have them come dented by the rough handling in shipment. also hard cast will in some cases lead worse that normal lead bullets,
Take any factory lead bullet ammo most any caliber - pull it and you fill find it is not "hard cast" I use a SAECO hardness tester.
Bob
stool
lee rcbs and dillon...the lee are great as is the price.
hard to find a bad 9mm bullet....stay away from sweged ..too soft, plated /swedged are great.
115's are typically the cheapest..less material
i use 140 gr hp 38 cal bullet at about 1000 fps for self defense.
use a powder that gives 60% or more case fill and never worry about a double charge.
hard to find a bad 9mm bullet....stay away from sweged ..too soft, plated /swedged are great.
115's are typically the cheapest..less material
i use 140 gr hp 38 cal bullet at about 1000 fps for self defense.
use a powder that gives 60% or more case fill and never worry about a double charge.
bigedp51
The Lee dies with the factory crimp die are hard to beat and Speer Gold Dot bullets are a good choice and expand well, for practice plated bullets work well.
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/885350/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-9mm-luger?cm_vc=ProductFinding
The 9mm uses a taper crimp which is a very light crimp compared to a roll crimp used on revolvers. The taper crimp should only be .001 to .002 smaller than than the normal diameter of the case with the bullet seated. Case diameter controls bullet tension or the grip on the bullet. The taper crimp has more to do with removing the case mouth flare and streamlining the the case and bullet for chambering.
Below exaggerated examples of the type crimps, and the 9mm headspaces on the case mouth. The taper crimp streamlines the case mouth to aid chambering with a "very" light crimp and. The Lee factory crimp die applies the correct amount of crimp and has a carbide ring to insure the case is the correct diameter for chamber after crimping.
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/885350/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-9mm-luger?cm_vc=ProductFinding
The 9mm uses a taper crimp which is a very light crimp compared to a roll crimp used on revolvers. The taper crimp should only be .001 to .002 smaller than than the normal diameter of the case with the bullet seated. Case diameter controls bullet tension or the grip on the bullet. The taper crimp has more to do with removing the case mouth flare and streamlining the the case and bullet for chambering.
Below exaggerated examples of the type crimps, and the 9mm headspaces on the case mouth. The taper crimp streamlines the case mouth to aid chambering with a "very" light crimp and. The Lee factory crimp die applies the correct amount of crimp and has a carbide ring to insure the case is the correct diameter for chamber after crimping.
Gunz n Ammo
Shall Not Be Infringed!!!
Lee Deluxe Carbide Dies 8)
Affordable, it works just the same if not better than other dies out there and very good warranty! I broke off the decapping rod several times. I broke 5 so far because I reload and decap thousands of brass and some of those brass were crimped and or I was going too fast that the brass was not seated properly that I smashed the case. I told them what happened they sent me new ones. I bought some extra decapping rod which is really cheap, just in case but I can always use the ones on the other pistol dies while I wait for the replacement to arrive.
Affordable, it works just the same if not better than other dies out there and very good warranty! I broke off the decapping rod several times. I broke 5 so far because I reload and decap thousands of brass and some of those brass were crimped and or I was going too fast that the brass was not seated properly that I smashed the case. I told them what happened they sent me new ones. I bought some extra decapping rod which is really cheap, just in case but I can always use the ones on the other pistol dies while I wait for the replacement to arrive.
stool
IMHO...DO NOT USE LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIES ON LEAD OR PLATED BULLETS.(plated bullets are typically soft swaged lead)
THE DIE WILL COMPLETELY RESIZE THE BULLET INSIDE THE CASE TO SMALLER THAN DESIRED FOR LEAD AND PLATED.
a lead bullet typically needs to be a bit larger than a jacketed bullet. the lee die just swages the bullet down to jacketed size or close to it. just use a std taper crimp die with a very minor crimp....0005-.001 below seated dia at the neck.
big cast bullet shooter...but again just my OPINION.
THE DIE WILL COMPLETELY RESIZE THE BULLET INSIDE THE CASE TO SMALLER THAN DESIRED FOR LEAD AND PLATED.
a lead bullet typically needs to be a bit larger than a jacketed bullet. the lee die just swages the bullet down to jacketed size or close to it. just use a std taper crimp die with a very minor crimp....0005-.001 below seated dia at the neck.
big cast bullet shooter...but again just my OPINION.
bigedp51 said:The Lee dies with the factory crimp die are hard to beat and Speer Gold Dot bullets are a good choice and expand well, for practice plated bullets work well.
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/885350/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-9mm-luger?cm_vc=ProductFinding
The 9mm uses a taper crimp which is a very light crimp compared to a roll crimp used on revolvers. The taper crimp should only be .001 to .002 smaller than than the normal diameter of the case with the bullet seated. Case diameter controls bullet tension or the grip on the bullet. The taper crimp has more to do with removing the case mouth flare and streamlining the the case and bullet for chambering.
Below exaggerated examples of the type crimps, and the 9mm headspaces on the case mouth. The taper crimp streamlines the case mouth to aid chambering with a "very" light crimp and. The Lee factory crimp die applies the correct amount of crimp and has a carbide ring to insure the case is the correct diameter for chamber after crimping.
bigedp51
stool said:
It looks like my Lee factory crimp die and the 50 Rainier 165 plated bullets out of my Glock 40 below don't agree with your statement. A taper crimp die should be called the "I got rid of the case mouth flare and barely squeezed the case mouth die". A taper crimp dies main purpose is to bring the case mouth just .001 to .002 smaller than the "normal" outside diameter of the case to aid chambering. (streamlining the case mouth)
I also use the Lee factory crimp die on my light practise cast and plated loads in my .357 and .44 magnum. You do NOT need a monster crimp on any pistol rounds unless you are using slower burning powders.
The powder in my .44 magnum practice loads below is 100% burnt in the first 2.4 inches of barrel length and uses a taper crimp.
You might want to learn how to use the Lee factory crimp die before you criticize how you misused the die and "OVER" crimped your bullets. :
it is my understanding that the purpose of the taper crimp die is to leave the leading edge of the mouth of the case facing forward as in automatics the cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case.
A roll crimp prevents this from happening and thus leads to possible problems in headspace for autos.
it is a given that roll crimps are desirable in heavy revolver loads, such as 357m, 38p+, 41m 44m 45lc etc.
some crimp is always suggested in revolvers on cast bullets particularly to prevent the bullet on recoil from working forward and stoping the rotation of the cylinder.
I have been casting and shooting cast for 67 years and have shot too many thousands of handgun rounds to consider a non taper crimp for auto and not crimping for revolvers lead or jacked even if slightly on jacketed.
from die manufacturers and S & W "the taper crimp die removes the flare from the case mouth and crimps case mouth around the bullet while maintaining a sharp edge for proper head-space. Improves etc.
Bob
A roll crimp prevents this from happening and thus leads to possible problems in headspace for autos.
it is a given that roll crimps are desirable in heavy revolver loads, such as 357m, 38p+, 41m 44m 45lc etc.
some crimp is always suggested in revolvers on cast bullets particularly to prevent the bullet on recoil from working forward and stoping the rotation of the cylinder.
I have been casting and shooting cast for 67 years and have shot too many thousands of handgun rounds to consider a non taper crimp for auto and not crimping for revolvers lead or jacked even if slightly on jacketed.
from die manufacturers and S & W "the taper crimp die removes the flare from the case mouth and crimps case mouth around the bullet while maintaining a sharp edge for proper head-space. Improves etc.
Bob
stool
so can you prove the 8's and 9's were you and not the damaged ammo ??
i would not be proud of that target.....nor use it to support "accurate" ammo.
like i said it is MY OPINION...
GO LOOK AT WHAT THE LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE DOES...
IT NOT ONLY CRIMPS..BUT FULL LENGTH RESIZES PISTOL LOADED AMMO....NO GUESS OR OPINION. it in fact resizes the the bullet..if it is soft enough like swaged soft lead.
the authorities on this are on the castboolits foums, you know the site you are banned from.
its ok to have your own opinion...
i would not be proud of that target.....nor use it to support "accurate" ammo.
like i said it is MY OPINION...
GO LOOK AT WHAT THE LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE DOES...
IT NOT ONLY CRIMPS..BUT FULL LENGTH RESIZES PISTOL LOADED AMMO....NO GUESS OR OPINION. it in fact resizes the the bullet..if it is soft enough like swaged soft lead.
the authorities on this are on the castboolits foums, you know the site you are banned from.
its ok to have your own opinion...
bigedp51 said:stool said:
It looks like my Lee factory crimp die and the 50 Rainier 165 plated bullets out of my Glock 40 below don't agree with your statement. A taper crimp die should be called the "I got rid of the case mouth flare and barely squeezed the case mouth die". A taper crimp dies main purpose is to bring the case mouth just .001 to .002 smaller than the "normal" outside diameter of the case to aid chambering. (streamlining the case mouth)
I also use the Lee factory crimp die on my light practise cast and plated loads in my .357 and .44 magnum. You do NOT need a monster crimp on any pistol rounds unless you are using slower burning powders.
The powder in my .44 magnum practice loads below is 100% burnt in the first 2.4 inches of barrel length and uses a taper crimp.
You might want to learn how to use the Lee factory crimp die before you criticize how you misused the die and "OVER" crimped your bullets. :
Why if someone has a different OPINION than your IMO due we have to trash there's to make you look good?? Then when you get done with your defense of "IMO" you have to stick and twist the knife. If your so damn smart WRITE A BOOK.
IMO you think you contribute alot...WHY DON'T YOU REALLY CONTRIBUTE WITH SOME DOUGH..[$$]
Brad
IMO you think you contribute alot...WHY DON'T YOU REALLY CONTRIBUTE WITH SOME DOUGH..[$$]
Brad
Gene,
Welcome to the FORUM. I like the RCBS carbide dies. I load 115 gr round nose plated bullets to practice with. For defense I like the Hornady Critical Defense or the Gold Dots. Since you are just getting started here is a tip to save on buying extra supplies. This was given to me by a gentleman who won the senior division World Handgun Champion. If you load 38 specials you can use the 115 gr 9mm bullet and use a slight taper crimp. I have done this for years ...IT"S SAFE AND WORKS. Again WELCOME.
Brad
Welcome to the FORUM. I like the RCBS carbide dies. I load 115 gr round nose plated bullets to practice with. For defense I like the Hornady Critical Defense or the Gold Dots. Since you are just getting started here is a tip to save on buying extra supplies. This was given to me by a gentleman who won the senior division World Handgun Champion. If you load 38 specials you can use the 115 gr 9mm bullet and use a slight taper crimp. I have done this for years ...IT"S SAFE AND WORKS. Again WELCOME.
Brad
I use a Lee taper crimp on my 357 Sig, and it's always worked great. I also use a powder that fills the case so I have 2 good points for bullet recoil set back. Actually the 40 has more set back, by a slight margin. Put if there's space for the bullet to travel backwards because of lack of a powder stop, bad things can happen. IMO the 357 Sig is one of the great rounds. Very accurate and very little drop out past 100 yards. I would love to see Sig offer and extended threaded barrel for an after-market compensator...it IS a very stout round!!
I also use one on my 45's...same results, and I've been shooting almost 40 years.
I also use one on my 45's...same results, and I've been shooting almost 40 years.
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