Cast Bullet Diameter For Beretta 92?

[revchuck]

Folks - Any luck on finding the correct diameter for cast bullets for a Beretta 92? My experience so far is that .355s keyhole and .356s hit point on in patterns rather than groups. Is .357 the magic number?

My CZ-75B shoots fine with .355s.

I've got just under a thousand Precision 147s sized to .358 that didn't work out in my revolvers. They'll be my first experiment. Any suggestions on load data? I've got Titegroup, Bullseye, American Select, Unique, PB, 7625, 4756 and Silhouette...and probably some others if I look.

TIA!

[DougCarden]

Chuck, I would try silhouette,,,aka WAP and Unique first. If they wont shoot with them then I am not sure what to tell you..My old duty gun had a rough bore but I guess I shot enough jacketed that it shoots lead sized .356 ok...loads are 122ltc with 3.5gr TG and 147s with TG as well as pretty much anything lead with W231....

I guess look at the bore and try lapping it if it is rough looking......

Good luck,

DougC

[Joe D]

You may be loading your rounds too short. I have seen some 9mm Glocks that had to be loaded out to 1.150"-1.160" to get 147 gr cast bullets to shoot well.

[KirbyAU]

Hi Chuck,

my Beretta 92FS likes projectiles of .357 diameter. Any less and I get lots of leading. Your .358 projies should work well.

Keyholes are often a sign of too much crimp. Just back it off a little.

All the CZ75/85's I've used have been .358 bore.

Lapping the Beretta barrel is not a go as it is chrome plated.

Kirby.

[revchuck]

Thanks, y'all!

Doug - I'll probably use the Silhouette. I can't find any revolver data for it anyway.

Joe - The ammo that keyholed was loaded to 1.16" OAL. I'm pretty sure it was the diameter. I'll load the 147s as long as the throating and/or mags will let me.

Kirby - Sounds like I'm headed in the right direction. I had a Walther (Manurhin) P1 once that needed .358s to shoot. Maybe the Beretta inherited more than just the locking block.