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Thread: SWC boolits in 9mm or 38 Super

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    SWC boolits in 9mm or 38 Super

    I'm working with a 1911 in 9mm and I'd like to shoot a heavy SWC boolit in it. The pistol has shot very well with the Hornady 147 XTP but those are way too expensive for high volume shooting. In my experience, a long nose boolit generally helps with feeding in 9mm 1911's.

    I'm thinking about ordering one of these:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Is anyone using this boolit or similar in a 9mm or 38 Super?

    I am also open to suggestions for other mold designs in the 140 to 150 grain range for 9mm.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master tazman's Avatar
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    There is a group buy going on at NOE that you might be interested in. While not a semiwadcutter, it is based on the shape of the 147 XTP and comes in 155 grain solid and 147 grain hollow point versions.

    http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php?topic=644.0

  3. #3
    Boolit Master




    bruce drake's Avatar
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    I've shot LEE's 158gr SWC in my 38 Super in the past. Start light and work up on the loads for your pistol as I don't know if you have a ramped barrel or the standard link and pin and don't want you to blow out the bottom of your 9mm case.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    I have the Saeco #929-145gr sw made for the 38 super , it looks very much like the drawing you posted Saeco also makes a 154gr sw of like designe ! i have also used the 929 in the 9mm but i usually favor 125gr boolets in the 9mm . i have three 125 gr moulds a Saeco 377 tc and 384 rn and the rcbs125gr rngc

    The 929 shoots very well from my two 38 supers . I also have foud that .357 dia cast boolets shoots better than .356 dia in all of my 9mm's & 38 supers even if the bore slugs @ .355 to .3555 dia.

    If you need some samples ? drop me a PM

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    I shoot a 120gr SWC PB out of a NEI 4cav that I have had from the 1980"s. Super accurate in .357mag, .38spl,. 38 super & 9mm, usually size them to .357" to .358".

  6. #6
    Boolit Master


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    I've shot both the H & G #73 and the Saeco 929 in the 9mm. Once you get the seating depth down for proper feeding they work all right. I tend to stick to bullets in the 125 grain range rather than the 147s as the trajectory and velocity is better. I'm not a big fan of heavier than designed for bullets in a specific gun no matter if the SEALs do get excellent results with them./beagle
    diplomacy is being able to say, "nice doggie" until you find a big rock.....

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    I like the saeco 125gr tc in 38super. First round thru that gun and was right on the money. Groups tight as well.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Thompsoncustom's Avatar
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    I've always had great luck with the lyman 358429 168gr SWC. It's a tank of a bullet for 9mm but recoil is very soft because there not a whole lot of room for powder. I would say your gonna need a throat reamer for optimal OAL and function with anything about 147gr though, not that it can't be done but being able to load longer helps.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    How would a +-125gn SWC feed in a glock?
    Right now I'm shooting 120TC "just because someone told me to buy that", but it doesnt make clean holes in paper. Not really better than the 124rn.
    I would like a nice SWC to punch nice round holes in targets. Will be used just for target shooting anyway.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by kryogen View Post
    How would a +-125gn SWC feed in a glock?
    Right now I'm shooting 120TC "just because someone told me to buy that", but it doesnt make clean holes in paper. Not really better than the 124rn.
    I would like a nice SWC to punch nice round holes in targets. Will be used just for target shooting anyway.
    The 120gr SWC has been feeding 100% in my Glock 19 factory barrel and in the Glock 22 with 9mm conversion barrel, this has been the most accurate boolit I have tested in the 9mm's.

  11. #11
    Boolit Mold
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    It's been my experience that 1911s that will reliably feed hollow points have no trouble with SWCs. Even my old Gold Cup which chokes on some HPs will merrily chug along with 160-200 gr SWCs. Most recently I've been working with a STI Ranger II in 9mm and it digests the longer nose TC's as well as short nose SWCs with equanimity. If you have had any feeding problems with your gun, then you might want to try some samples before investing in a mold.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by ioon44 View Post
    The 120gr SWC has been feeding 100% in my Glock 19 factory barrel and in the Glock 22 with 9mm conversion barrel, this has been the most accurate boolit I have tested in the 9mm's.
    who sells it

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks for all the comments.

    To clarify, I'll add a bit of information.

    1. This is for USPSA competition and I want it to make minor power factor with the least recoil. Because of the way power factor is computed by USPSA, heavier bullets generate less recoil compared to lighter bullets at the same power factor.

    2. The gun will feed almost anything including 158 SWCs designed for .38 or .357 Mag., but I think that's too heavy and too much bullet in the case.

    3. I am mostly concerned with the accuracy potential at moderate 9mm velocity of around 875 - 900 fps. And I like nice round holes in the target, hence the SWC shape.

    4. 1911s were designed for longer cartridges than the standard 9mm. This barrel is throated out a bit to take longer overall lengths. While it feeds everything I've thrown at it, the shorter oal loads feel a bit "hitchy" compared to the longer lengths.

    Further comments welcome and thanks again.

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
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    Just cast these an hour ago. 358156 Lyman 155gr GC. This is my first go around with these bullets. 45/45/10 lube, gonna size to .355. For 38super

  16. #16
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    MiHec's Avatar
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    I have some 6 cav aluminum molds for 147 BB flat nose bullets

    Send me PM if you want one.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    www.mp-molds.com
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  17. #17
    Boolit Master

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    The SAECO #383 works real fine for me.
    Jeff

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy Thompsoncustom's Avatar
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    If you can load the bullet between 1.125 and 1.135 than I find 160gr to 170gr bullets to be the sweet spot for making minor.

    2.4gr of red dot behind a 160gr RN bullet OAL of 1.123 does about 800fps and 130 PF.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    I think that I'll just buy the lee 358-105SWC for 9mm instead of the 120TC.
    I use it only to shoot target, and the TC doesnt punch nice holes in paper. I would rather have a SWC and punch nice clean holes.

    Will probably buy the mould and report.

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy Kent Fowler's Avatar
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    Used to play around with some loads with a LBT 160gr. FN

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
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