Can you shoot cast bullets?
William Smith
Updated on April 04, 2026
Nothing could be further than the truth. Cast bullets are perfectly fine for as much as 90 percent of your shooting needs, and they extend the amount of shooting you can do by making your projectiles much less expensive.
Can you load .357 bullets in 9mm?
Now loading 0.357″ bullets in the 9mm may work fine, it will depend on the cyl fit of the slightly oversized round, but many 9mm guys shoot 0.357″-0.358″ lead bullets in their semiautos w/ good results.
What bullets can you use in a 357 Magnum?
357 Magnum, a . 38 Special round can be safely fired in a . 357 Magnum revolver or lever gun. So to sum up in one sentence: You can shoot .
Why do cast bullets need lube?
Cast bullets require lubrication to prevent leading. Bullet lube serves not only to lubricate the passage of the bullet down the bore but also to seal the propellant gases behind the base. One of the most important properties of this lubricant is that it must be able to flow to be most effective.
What are gas checks for cast bullets?
A gas check is a gasket type component of firearms ammunition. Gas checks are used when non-jacketed bullets are used in high pressure cartridges. The use of a gas check inhibits the buildup of lead in the barrel and improves accuracy.
Are 9mm and 357 the same diameter?
357, . 380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.) 38 is 0.38 of an inch; Europe uses the metric system, so 9mm.
What is the diameter of a 357 bullet?
9.1 mm
The . 357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1934, and its use has since become widespread. This cartridge started the “Magnum era” of handgun ammunition….
| .357 Magnum | |
|---|---|
| Bullet diameter | .357 in (9.1 mm) |
| Neck diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) |
| Base diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) |
| Rim diameter | .440 in (11.2 mm) |
Can you fire 38 Special ammo in a 357 Magnum?
Of course, recoil is also nearly double as well. But here’s the deal: Because the two rounds are loaded with bullets that are the same diameters, but the 357 Magnum merely has a longer case and more powder, the 38 Special cartridge can be safely fired in guns marked 357 Magnum, but not vice-versa.
How fast does a 357 bullet go?
Factory loads for the .357 are produced by all major ammunition manufacturers and are generally available in two base weights, a 125 grain bullet at 1400 – 1500fps depending on handgun barrel length and a 158 grain bullet weight at 1200 to 1300fps. From a 16 to 20″ rifle barrel, velocities increase by an average of 500fps.
What is 357 ammo do you use?
The .357 Magnum round, a Magnum handgun cartridge manufactured by Big Chief, has a significant powder load making it a very powerful cartridge for a pistol round, and acceptable for use in carbine length lever-action rifles. .357 Magnum standard and JFP rounds can be crafted at a reloading bench.
Can 38 Special bullets be used in 357 Magnum?
Well, as long as you are using .38 Special ammo you can fire it safely in any .357 Magnum revolver. Meaning if you have a revolver chambered in .357, you can fire both ammo types without any issues. But make sure you are not using .38-40 or .38 Short.
Is a 357 Magnum a type of gun or bullet?
The .357 is not just a handgun round. Several rifles and carbines are chambered for it. A .357 Magnum long-gun brings this cartridge into a whole other realm. The longer barrel boosts the bullet’s velocity by a substantial amount over the shorter barrels found on handguns.
