Couple newbie questions

I got a buddy that's gonna let me borrow his old single stage, and I plan on rolling out a few 9mm and 38spl just to get my feet wet.

Can the .355 9mm bullets be loaded for .38 for plinking?

What one powder would you reccomend for 9mm and .38? I was thinking about going with W231, is this good?

Cast or jacketed? Being a newbie with a single stage, I'm not gonna be making alot of ammo.

Thanks.

first, for pistol, i would find someone who loads and watch and learn.
second, before i started id get a reloading book and read and read and read somemore,
third, id find someone whos loading and learn all i could before loading the first bullet.
please play it safe. pistols are not very forgiving.

where do I start...

Captain-03, Subgunfan we need a sticky

For now.................... NO to .355 bullets in 38spl.


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Definitely find someone who is an experianced reloader and watch them load some ammo. I'd recommend that you start with FMJ bullets to load. Plus read up on the subject and then read more.

Unless the .38 Spl is a pre war Colt, No .355" jacketed bullets should be loaded in the .38 spl/

I use a .356" sizing die for lead bullets in my K38 Smith. This particular revolver has very tight chambers and a .357-358" bullet seated deeply will not allow the ctgs to chamber.

Doug

Thanks for the replies. I've read the Lee beginner reloader book. And my buddy is going to teach and show me the ropes, but he only loads .223, .45 acp anc colt,.40 sw, and.270. No 9mm or .38.

your off to a good start. taking the advise of people here will keep you safe and get you hooked on the powerful drug of loading!

"Ditto" for all the above!! Mentor, Mentor, and Mentor ... then read, read, and read some more ...

What part of the state do you reside?

i have been kickin around thinking about start releading as well. i have bought the lee beginners book and another book that came with a dvd to show you what they are talking about. my neighbor has told me some things and is gonna mentor me some as well. but i even plan to catch up with some of the guys here that reload and sit and watch them as well a few times befor i ever attempt to load my first shell. i aint scared i just have seen first hand what to hot of a load and doing it wrong can do to a person and there wepon. some youtube videos will give you respect for what you are doing.

my best advice is take it slow and ask tons of questions to these guys and someone you know and trust that does it and is knowledgable in reloading

I'm new to reloading as well but I would echo the advice in here...take it slow and careful and don't be afraid to ask questions...the folks in here helped me dodge a lot of problems I would have otherwise run into. Based on the advice of subgun, I have been using WIN 231 to reload 9mm with good results...I am also going to reload 38 Special, and I can use the same powder for that, based on the Lee charts....As far ad the bullets, I'm using lead because I like the whole concept of being in control of the entire process...turning old wheel weights into ingots...into bulletts...and finally into finished cartridges...plus the whole casting process is pretty interesting.