Using CamPro 124gr FMJ RN in .38spcl?

[bigi]

I would like to use the above 9mm bullet in a 38 spcl with HP-38(W 231), any comments as to OAL and how much powder etc? Thanks

 

[Spawn-Inc]

You will have to size the 38spl case in a 9mm die for proper neck tension as your using an undersized bullet.

As for powder charge, hodgdon says 4.3gr to 4.9gr for a 125gr bullet. With an OAL of 1.455"

 

[bigi]

I suspected that resizing issue. Its a no go for me.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

i just made 5 rounds using 124gr BDX bullets with 4.5gr of hp38 with a OAL of 1.503" for no apparent reason other then my 9mm die was set up like that. i resized/deprimed with a 38/357 die then switched to 9mm dies and resized, belled case mouth and used the crimp/bullet seat die.

they should be decently accurate, but who knows, i will let you know when i shoot them.

 

[sunray]

"...9mm bullet in a 38 spcl..." They are not the right bullet. 9mm uses a .355" bullet. .38 Special uses a .357" bullet.

 

[carsmovies]

I agree with sunray. Why not use proper 38 bullets?

 

[BCRider]

Accuracy will almost certainly go down. The bullet won't engage the rifling fully and the smaller diameter won't seal into the grooves. So you're going to get blowby at the very least and likely the bullet will not spin up correctly. The smaller size rattling down the cylinder throat and hitting the forcing cone is also likely to let the bullets be a little tilted when they enter the rifling from shot to shot. So again accuracy will only go down.

Now this may only show up if you're shooting where accuracy counts. If you're shooting a speed related match having your slow fire 25 yard group open up from 3'ish inches to 6'ish inches might not matter in a speed related shooting match.