Truncated cone bullets

[grantman]

Originally Posted by Doubs

Vlim is correct although the change to a round nose ball cartridge came in 1916. The War Ministry directive was dated 22 March, 1916, and all existing stocks of TC cartridges were to be used in practice; i.e., training. Changeover, of course, took time but it should have been completed before 1917.

The Allies claimed that the TC bullets violated the 1899 Hague Convention that forbid the use of ammunition designed to cause unnecessary damage and suffering. It was propaganda but Germany decided to make the change for - as Vlim says - political reasons. G&S has a section on the changeover.

Interestingly, the United States has never signed the Hague Conventions part restricting the kinds of cartridges it uses. However, the U.S. has pretty well complied... until recently. Along with the adoption of their new Sig 9mm pistol, they have adopted the M1152 cartridge that uses a truncated cone bullet much like the original German Army Luger cartridge. What's old is now new again.

Perhaps because they feed well....I cast a 124 gr. TC (Lee) that feeds beautifully in reduced 9mm loads in my PO8s. Thanks!

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by grantman

Perhaps because they feed well....I cast a 124 gr. TC (Lee) that feeds beautifully in reduced 9mm loads in my PO8s. Thanks!

That they do. My standard load for my 9mm Lugers is seen in the picture below on the far right. It's the 115 grain Berry's plated bullet over 5.6 grains of Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder. Loaded to an OAL of 1.100", they feed beautifully in my Lugers.

For use in my more modern 9mm pistols, I have to seat the Berry bullets deeper because of chamber differences.

For years I used the Lyman 121 grain TC cast bullet and it also worked beautifully. It is similar to the TC cast bullet in the picture that is actually for my .30 Lugers.

[grantman]

Originally Posted by Doubs

That they do. My standard load for my 9mm Lugers is seen in the picture below on the far right. It's the 115 grain Berry's plated bullet over 5.6 grains of Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder. Loaded to an OAL of 1.100", they feed beautifully in my Lugers.

For use in my more modern 9mm pistols, I have to seat the Berry bullets deeper because of chamber differences.

For years I used the Lyman 121 grain TC cast bullet and it also worked beautifully. It is similar to the TC cast bullet in the picture that is actually for my .30 Lugers.

Thanks for the load info. I have never used CFE and I know nothing about it. I'm always looking for new propellants. Can you tell me more about it?

I have had very good luck with the following:

Home cast Lee 124 grain TC (Lyman #2 alloy).
Rooster Jacket tumble lube
3.8 Grains Bullseye. ( a modest load, per Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook) New formula Bullseye is very clean burning and meters well.
Federal case, Winchester small pistol primer
C.O.L. 1.075" taper crimp
Perfect function in my mixmaster PO8. I color primers with a sharpie and this load does not scuff the ink upon firing. Primers are softly round with no pocket-filling or expansion. Cycling seems very gentle. No leading.

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by grantman

Thanks for the load info. I have never used CFE and I know nothing about it. I'm always looking for new propellants. Can you tell me more about it?

I have had very good luck with the following:

Home cast Lee 124 grain TC (Lyman #2 alloy).
Rooster Jacket tumble lube
3.8 Grains Bullseye. ( a modest load, per Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook) New formula Bullseye is very clean burning and meters well.
Federal case, Winchester small pistol primer
C.O.L. 1.075" taper crimp
Perfect function in my mixmaster PO8. I color primers with a sharpie and this load does not scuff the ink upon firing. Primers are softly round with no pocket-filling or expansion. Cycling seems very gentle. No leading.

I don't know what more I can tell you than CFE Pistol powder burns clean and performs much like Unique. I also like that it meters consistently through a measure.

Here is a review of CFE Pistol powder that might interest you. https://www.shootingtimes.com/editor...l-powder/99627

I've used a lot of the Lyman cast TC bullets in years past and it's an excellent design for the Luger. I haven't cast in awhile because the Berry bullets are inexpensive and far less trouble. They also work extremely well.

If your load works, I see no reason to change except perhaps for convenience. Bullseye is an excellent powder and meters extremely well. I've used a lot of it over the years.

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by grantman

Thanks for the load info. I have never used CFE and I know nothing about it. I'm always looking for new propellants. Can you tell me more about it?

I have had very good luck with the following:

Home cast Lee 124 grain TC (Lyman #2 alloy).
Rooster Jacket tumble lube
3.8 Grains Bullseye. ( a modest load, per Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook) New formula Bullseye is very clean burning and meters well.
Federal case, Winchester small pistol primer
C.O.L. 1.075" taper crimp
Perfect function in my mixmaster PO8. I color primers with a sharpie and this load does not scuff the ink upon firing. Primers are softly round with no pocket-filling or expansion. Cycling seems very gentle. No leading.

Hi,

Substitute only the Lyman 121 grain TC, at an O.A.L. of 29mm, and you will be most happy.

Respectfully,


Sieger

[grantman]

Originally Posted by Sieger

Hi,

Substitute only the Lyman 121 grain TC, at an O.A.L. of 29mm, and you will be most happy.

Respectfully,


Sieger

Thanks! I'll try it!

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by Sieger

Hi, Substitute only the Lyman 121 grain TC, at an O.A.L. of 29mm, and you will be most happy.

Respectfully, Sieger

I've used thousands of the Lyman 121 grain TC bullet over the years. It is an excellent design and feeds beautifully through a Luger. Also, it's very accurate

In 1986, I won all three B class matches in an all Suffolk County, England, event. One of those matches was won with a CZ-75 using the Lyman TC bullet that I cast.

Now I find it a lot easier to use the 115 grain Berry's plated flat nose bullet. It has a larger meplat and is more like the original Luger bullet than the Lyman. They feed as reliably as the Lyman.