Reloading Lee 124gr. TC cast bullets

[JRSRPH]

Good day all. First off thanks to all who have been so helpful on this forum. I am new to reloading but wanted to try my hand at casting bullets, so I purchased a Lee mold for 9mm (TC356 124 TC) using reclaimed range lead. Mold seems to work well and got some nice rounds. I plan to PC these rounds and then size them using the Lee resizing kit (.356). I have been looking at videos etc and have a few questions, and I am sure some out there have made and loaded these rounds. I want to size the rounds after PC; any views on this? Also, reloading data seems a little bit variable on this round. I have seen data relating to use of 5.3 grains of Longshot with OAL of 1.05, 3.6 grains of Titegroup with OAL of 1.05 and some other combinations. I have Longshot and Titegroup in stock now. Has anyone out there done anything with these powders and OAL? I figure using range lead should take care of any alloy questions ( I hope anyway). Thanks all.

 

[AckleymanII]

A lot of us are shooting 3.4g of Tightgroup with the Lee 124, very, very accurate!

Self defense with multiple 124-125g bullets is 7.8g of AA#7(1200 fps), start at 7.4 and work up, also very, very accurate. I run 50/50 wheel weights and linotype for this hot load.

 

[JRSRPH]

Very helpful....what OAL are you using for the Titegroup? Good to hear that you are getting good accuracy. I hear stories of keyholing with this round at higher charges but again do not have any personal experience.

 

[243winxb]

Lee 356-120-TC

The OAL will be different berween firearms. Same with bullet diameter.

The Taurus G3C OAL of 1.045" is Maximum. Diameter needs to be smaller then. .3568"

Note round on left has very little of the .3562" diameter exposed.

PC coated bullets dont need lube groves, from what i read?

I use lube. No PC. Have tried 4 different powders, none of yours.

 

[JRSRPH]

Thanks for the data. These responses give me a comfortable starting point for the process...much appreciated.

 

[6bra1k]

range lead is iffy in a 9mm or 40 but normally fine with a slow 45acp.
i have no pc use.so cannot help you there.
go to castboolits..it is a forum not a .com so do a search.
most of accurate powders(2/5/7/9) are great with cast bullets...
its is about the right size to fit the gun, the rght velocity for the hardness and enough lube to make it to the end of the bbl..i am guessing pc may fix that one
i have shot 135's at over 1200 fps from a 9mm..just got to be hard enough

 

[mac86951]

Coating adda a thou or two, yes resize after coating. You may want to slug your barrel; you may find .355 is loose and may want to size larger.

 

[243winxb]

I took my as cast .358" bullets and tapped them into both ends of the barrel. Take measurements. Gives the diameter to size too + .
A .356" sizing die may produce a different diameter. The harder the alloy, more spring back after sizing.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?media/free-bore-throat-diameters-in-9mm-luger.3612/ AND https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-slugged-barrel-of-taurus-g3c-9mm-luger.3610/

Scrap range lead may be a little soft, but PC may help?? Dropping PCed bullet from the oven into cold water may harden the bullet?

243winxb

The RCBS 2 lube needs to be washed off after sizing, before bullets go in the oven. Warm water & 2 drops Dawn work well.

Q: Is there anything I can do to make the bullets harder?

Cast bullets can be heat treated to increase their hardness providing your alloy has 2% or more antimony present. To heat treat your bullets: Cast your bullets in the normal manner, saving several scrap bullets. Size using RCBS 2 Lube. WASH OFF. Place several scrap bullets on a pan in your oven at 450 degrees and increase the temperature until the bullets start to melt or slump. Be sure to use an accurate oven thermometer and a pan that will not be used again for food. Once the bullets start to melt or slump, back off the temperature about 10 degrees and slide in your first batch of good bullets. Leave these in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the bullets from the oven and plunge them into cool water. Allow them to cool thoroughly. When you are ready to lubricate, install a Lyman sizing die .001" larger than the one used to initially size them, OR Tumble lube with Alox. This will prevent the sides of the bullets from work-softening from contact with the sizing die. Next apply gas checks if required and lubricate. BULLETS WILL TAKE 2 WEEKS TO FULLY HARDEN. These are now ready for loading.

 

[SSL]

Good day all. First off thanks to all who have been so helpful on this forum. I am new to reloading but wanted to try my hand at casting bullets, so I purchased a Lee mold for 9mm (TC356 124 TC) using reclaimed range lead. Mold seems to work well and got some nice rounds. I plan to PC these rounds and then size them using the Lee resizing kit (.356). I have been looking at videos etc and have a few questions, and I am sure some out there have made and loaded these rounds. I want to size the rounds after PC; any views on this? Also, reloading data seems a little bit variable on this round. I have seen data relating to use of 5.3 grains of Longshot with OAL of 1.05, 3.6 grains of Titegroup with OAL of 1.05 and some other combinations. I have Longshot and Titegroup in stock now. Has anyone out there done anything with these powders and OAL? I figure using range lead should take care of any alloy questions ( I hope anyway). Thanks all.

What firearm is this for? It's been a longtime since I messed with a Glock, but they used to prohibit using lead bullets due to their polygonal rifling increasing pressures along with poor accuracy. If you are shooting a Glock, I would check this out. Perhaps they have changed to cut rifling since mine. Others here on the site can chime in with their experiences if I'm wrong.

 

[dantiff2]

Slug your barrel! All of my 9mm barrels prefer .357 sizing. There's zero spring back and don't worry about the hardness. With PC on them, I run wheel weight lead at over 1300+ fps. No issues, ever.

Added: for best accuracy I do NOT crimp any of my 9mm rounds. I simply take the flare back off of the case mouth and that's is. This works in all semi's with no setback even from AR style pistols. The 9mm is a wasp shape case with plenty of neck tension. Crimping will sacrifice the powder coating.

 

[AckleymanII]

Many do not understand just how accurate cast bullets can be!

In SC, our castle Doctrine laws state we can use any kind of bullet we want in self defense.

Check out GT bullets, 130g HP, and with the load I gave with AA#7, the bullet is amazingly accurate, and also the 130g HP expanded to 69 caliber in water jugs!

130gr 9mm hollow point cast lead bullets [9mm-130-hp-356] - $14.68 : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets

GT Bullets! 130gr 9mm hollow point cast lead bullets [9mm-130-hp-356] - 130 gr 9mm HP Cast lead bullets Very nice hollow point design is very accurate at most velocities and gives all the advantages of a hollow point design to prevent over penetration Sized and lubed to .356 with optional sizing...

www.gtbullets.com

George has several alloys and sizes to choose from, a very unique vendor, who is a very active shooter and hunter.