9mm bullets loaded in .38 brass

I wondered if Lee 9mm 124 grain tumble lube bullets would work in .38 special brass. I didn't want to buy another set of molds and the diameters were so close that it might be possible. I talked with my reloading friend Joe Spiers about his thoughts on doing this and he agreed it might be workable. He suggested using unswaged bullets to make up the difference in .356 in the 9's and .358 in the .38's. All mine had been swaged and weighed around 128 grains. I loaded 12 rounds with the 9mm bullets. The fit was just right in the .38 brass and none were loose in the seating. I had to get old reloading books that showed a load for 124 grain lead bullets. I used 3 grains of Bullseye and seating up to the front band on the bullet with a slight taper crimp. I used my 686 and fired 12 rounds at around 20 feet. No fliers or keyholing. Group was about 4 inches with 9 of them cloverleafing. I threw 3 rounds. This works for me. I did not chrono but my old book advertised about 750 to 800 feet per second. Hope this works for anyone wanting to save on supplies.

my 9mm lee mold actually drops a smidge over .358 and i can pass them through my star to size and lube to .358

Yea -- they should work -- I would only have 2 concers; 1) enough case tension to hold the boolit firmly in so it would not move upon recoil; 2) leading of the barrel and forcing cone - small dia boolits do have a tendency to lead ....

Case had enough tension and there is very little leading at 750 fps. Only residue left from the 12 rounds was unburnt powder.

I have a very tightly chambered .38 S&W revolver. I usually size the bullets .356". I get excellent accuracy from the .38 with these bullets. I roll crimp or taper crimp all my .38 spl rounds.

Doug