What is correct diameter for 9mm LEAD bullets?

[Masterblaster1]

I am assuming it is .356" ? Correct me if i am wrong. Looking to load some lead bullets in my 9x19mm.

[mauser98us]

.356 if it is a good commercial barrel. On some mil-surp and others with lots of wear I have used diameter .357

[hornady]

The rule is cast bullets are .001 over there jacketed counter part, A jacketed 9MM is .355 so most commercial cast bullets are .356. But this doses not mean it’s the right bullet for even a new gun.
 In lead bullets you have many factors that must be taken into consideration.
Most serious casters will slug the barrel, to determine the proper diameter, this is done by driving a soft lead slug threw the barrel,
Other factors to take into consideration, if you push a hard bullet too slow it will lead the barrel just as trying too push a soft bullet too fast.
Most commercial bullets are on the hard side, If you intend on shooting lead, with commercial lead bullets, and not slugging the barrel, my recommendation, I would start out with a mid-range load, try 50 rounds check the barrel, fire another 25, and check for leading at these intervolves, Leading not only will reduce accuracy but will also increase presser. There are other things that will cause leading, but shooting under sized bullets is the largest contributor.   

[williamlayton]

I load some jacketed Zero bullets that are of some deminsion---really, for all practical purpopses-including reloading-are 9mm, 38 and/or 357. They are 125 gr.
I even use them in my 9x23 and 38Supers--too no ill-effect.
Blessings

[Lloyd Smale]

I dont even fool with sizing to .356 anymore. I usually use 357 but if a gun will run them .358 they will usually shoot even better.

[Masterblaster1]

The gun is a relativley new ruger p-95 9mmx19. I guess i will just have buy some and give it a try. The bullets i was looking I believe were in the 15bhn hardness area. I am looking to load a flat point bullet. We have had a rash of pit bull attacks around here lately and I want something that will penetrate better than a conventional Jhp design just in case i am ever threatened by one of these aggresive dogs.

[alamogunr]

The gun is a relativley new ruger p-95 9mmx19. I guess i will just have buy some and give it a try. The bullets i was looking I believe were in the 15bhn hardness area. I am looking to load a flat point bullet. We have had a rash of pit bull attacks around here lately and I want something that will penetrate better than a conventional Jhp design just in case i am ever threatened by one of these aggresive dogs.

I gave each of my grown sons a P95 for Christmas last year.  Neither has had time to shoot it so I got them back to develop a load with cast bullets.  When I slugged the barrels I got different results.  One slugged .357 the other, .355.  I have a couple of different molds on order but am hoping that I can find one load w/one bullet for both.  If your barrel is on the large side and the bullets are .356, you may have trouble with leading or worse.  Hopefully, by the time I put a couple of hundred rounds through each, I will know if two different bullet sizes are required.  My alloy will be wheel weight metal plus a little tin, so it will be slightly softer than 15 bhn.  If I need to go harder, I will try water dropping as I cast.

In your case, I don't think a dog will know the difference between a cast slug and a jhp, unless it is a St Bernard or larger.  Having said that, I have never shot a dog with a 9mm, so take it for what it is worth.

John
W.TN