Can I use 9mm bullet on the 38 SPL ammo

[newbie1234]

The diameter of 9mm ammo is 0.355" and 38 Special bullet diameter is 0.357", only 2 thousandth bigger. I had 5K 9mm PLATED bullets and run out of 38 Special bullets, can I reload the 9mm bullet on the 38 Special ammo. ???

Edit: Add on PLATED bullets.

[4DSJW]

You can, but you probably shouldn't. The accuracy will definitely drop using the undersized bullet. Also, a 9mm bullet usually uses a taper crimp (the bullet has no crimp groove), where a .38 uses a roll crimp and the bullet has a crimp groove. What you want to do has been done before, generally with poor results.

[Revoman]

^^^^ Agreed!

[Cowboy T]

Yeah, in an emergency, I might do it, but since the proper diameter bullets are readily available, there's no good reason to do so. Use your 0.355" bullets for 9mm, 38 Super, and those sorts of cartridges.

[Grendel Guy]

I had been toying with the notion of doing the reverse: loading.357/.38 special projectiles in 9mm brass because of the opinions noted above. I've a Blackhawk convertible that shoots both. My experience is both are good enough to shoot minute of beer can at about ten yards. I figured it wasn't worth it.

[4DSJW]

I had been toying with the notion of doing the reverse: loading.357/.38 special projectiles in 9mm brass because of the opinions noted above. I've a Blackhawk convertible that shoots both. My experience is both are good enough to shoot minute of beer can at about ten yards. I figured it wasn't worth it.

In this case you would have to look at the chamber size and the size of the chamber throats to make a decision.

[Grendel Guy]

Yeah but no. I'll just stick to factory with what I have. Life is complicated enough.

[Bigedski]

You can, but you probably shouldn't. The accuracy will definitely drop using the undersized bullet. Also, a 9mm bullet usually uses a taper crimp (the bullet has no crimp groove), where a .38 uses a roll crimp and the bullet has a crimp groove. What you want to do has been done before, generally with poor results.

I have but the preformance will suck

[newbie1234]

.....Life is complicated enough.

My life was very simple, until the day I said "I do" my life becomes very complicated

[Sailormilan2]

It depends on what the bore diameter is. NOMINAL bore diameter for the 9mm is, as was posted, .355”. However, of ALL the 9mm(and 38 Super) aftermarket barrels that I have, most measure .356+”. The only barrels that measure the “proper” diameter are two Rock Island barrels that I have.
It also depends on whether, or not, they’re Jacketed, or Lead, bullets. Lead bullets should be at least .001” over bore different. So, if your barrel measures .356+”, a .357” lead bullet would be a proper choice.

[Oldjedi]

Berry's bullets for 9mm are 0.356". I have reloaded 1200 rounds and they shoot through my PCC without issues and without signs of overpressure. Xtreme makes 100 gr., bullets which they call 38 but measure 0.355

Whatever you choose to reload, be aware and measure the diameter. Also watch for signs of overpressure if shooting .357 in a .355 barrel.

I suggest you stay with the correct caliber bullet for your gun.

[Snoopy47]

I did it myself. The CCW class I was training at required FMJ, because their self repairing targets would get chunks of rubber taken out of them by Hollow Points.

So I was in a pinch, and threw on some 9mm FMJ on 38 brass I had for my 38SPL snub nose.

It worked, and I had never shot righter groups with it.

Kidding. Performance was very sub par. I had to crimp really tight to prevent set back. It was good enough for a CCW qual.

After that I bought a bunch of 38 SPL flat point projectiles I can CCW qual with.

[Bigedski]

the only thing you will get is poor accuracy.

[FLIGHT762]

Buy .357" bullets. Don't be a cheap screw. You would regret it.