Mold recommendations for semi-auto 9mm carbines like KUSA KR-9, SIG MPX etc.

[OLD-skool454#3]

What I have found is the Lyman 356242 and Lyman 356402. One is a round nose and the other a truncated cone. Any suggestions/recommendations are greatly appreciated...may even be a different manufacturer... I know I'll need a taper crimp, not a roll crimp. Also not to seat my bullets any deeper than needed. I currently cast, powder coat, and reload, but for revolvers/lever actions, never 9mm or other semi-autos. These will just be for range/target shooting, thank you

[sghart]

I have good luck with the Lee 356-125-2R in my Ruger PCC. I load them over HP-38 or Bullseye.

[OLD-skool454#3]

I forgot about LEE. How do you like the weight of those bullets? I read somewhere someone suggesting 147-150 grain bullets. Another suggestion was the Lyman devastater which I found is a hollow point. Not sure how good hollow points do in the carbines? I own mostly MP brass molds, the LEE, however, sounds like a good buy either way, thanks.

[kgburgoonie]

My two favorites are accurate molds and NOE. Accurate shows a full CAD drawing for every bullet they sell, and has the largest catalog im aware of.

https://accuratemolds.com/catalog.php?page=8#catalog-anchor

NOE makes pin style hollow point molds, so you can choose between hollow point and flat point by swapping pins in the same mold.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/355-9mm/

[sghart]

I forgot about LEE. How do you like the weight of those bullets? I read somewhere someone suggesting 147-150 grain bullets. Another suggestion was the Lyman devastater which I found is a hollow point. Not sure how good hollow points do in the carbines? I own mostly MP brass molds, the LEE, however, sounds like a good buy either way, thanks.

I like the weight of the bullet. I really don't want to go heavier. I can as I have other molds that would work.

I have shot my Ruger PCC extensively. I can guarantee good accuracy to 75 yards but my loads tend to run on the lighter side so after 75 yards accuracy can be hit or miss. If I step up the velocity I can get better groups but I just plink with mine.

I find the same thing with all of my pistol caliber carbines. In my Marlins and Rossis I have great accuracy right around 1300 fps. I used to run much higher velocities but over the years I have set back the bolts in two of Marlins. And they are not making any more replacement parts. At around 80 to 100 yards they tend to become unstable. Transonic buffering is a real thing. Here is just one link to many, many discussions you will find:

https://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?threads/effects-of-transition-speed.5809/

As far as Lee molds go I really like them. I have molds from NOE, Accurate, Arsenal, RCBS, Lyman, M&P, Lachmiller, you name it. But for $20 or so the Lee two cavity molds are terrific.

[mofo1111]

I didn't have very good luck with truncated bullet shape like the Lyman 356402. I tried Black Bullets truncated profile and the MPX choked on them. The MPX likes round nose profile. The Lyman 356242 mold may work for you but I have no experience with that. I also found that factory Federal and Winchester round nose worked well. They had a COAL close to 1.156" which I load round nose profile for the MPX. If you load too short, the MPX will start to have trouble feeding. Good luck!

[Cowboy T]

I have good luck with the Lee 356-125-2R in my Ruger PCC. I load them over HP-38 or Bullseye.

That's a really good mould. I would recommend the 6-cavity version of this mould, just because it's easier to produce lots of good bullets with it.

Its tumble-lube version is also excellent, the TL356-124-2R. A medium coat of Liquid Alox/Xlox makes for a nice, lead-free barrel after the shooting day's done.

Another one--which surprised me--for lighter loads is the 358-105-SWC. It looks like a Crayola crayon tip. Normally I use this cast bullet for light .38 Special loads, but I got curious one day. So, I tried it with several 9mm pistols (Glock 17/19/26, Ruger SR9, Beretta 92, S&W M&P, Springfield XD), and it fed perfectly with all of these pistols.

[OLD-skool454#3]

Well, this is what I have ordered and expected to arrive within the next couple days or so.

LEE DC MOLD 356-125-2R	1
LEE DC MOLD 356-147-TC	1
Hornady Custom Grade 9mm Luger Nitride 3-Die Set with Taper Crimp	1
LEE 9mm LUGER CARBIDE FACTORY CRIMP DIE	1
Starline 9mm Luger Brass 100 count	1

I also purchased a 4 cavity Lyman 358242 125 grain and a 2 cavity RCBS 9-115 RN 115 grain mold. Between these 4 molds, I believe I should have a fairy good round. I have all the tools to powder coat and resize/flare to whatever size 9 will work best in my guns. I did find some powder coat dedicated molds, but just did not like them. Aesthetically, I just prefer some curves on my bullets even if they don't function well lol. I've already got lead sitting in my pro melt and hope to make about a 100 bullets of each sometime next weekend.

[jsanch03]

[OLD-skool454#3]

Pretty nice jsanch03. I am not a fan of all smooth bullets, but you got me thinking about em now. I am also going to order a hollow point and might just go with Mihec's. I don't compete or shoot that much so any molds over 4 cavities are just a waste for me. I prefer the two cavity molds and can easily make 100 bullets in 1/2 hour or less and be happy. I don't like rushing to make as many bullets...doing so will surely make me lose interest in casting. Also, with more cavities, I have noticed a difference in weights from one to the other to the other. I won't buy accurate and I won't buy noe molds so I have limited myself by choice...it comes down to what I can find from the other manufacturers...sometimes it's only a two cavity and I'm okay with that.

[OLD-skool454#3]

Received my dies, brass, and 3 out of 4 molds that I purchased earlier today. Going from the box straight to the lead pot right now, can't wait to see these bullets. I do not mold prep ever for those that care.