Can 9mm Browning long shells be loaded using 9mm Luger Dies?

[Don Smith]

A friend wants to start reloading what he calls 9mm Browning long shells and I was wondering if they can be loading using 9mm Luger dies.  His shells look to be a bit longert than the regular 9mm brass.  Do they require different dies to reload them and are they available?  Thanks Don

[iiranger]

Probably not. If this is the Browning Long I am thinking of you would be better served with .38 Super ACP dies (NOT data). The browning has straight, untapered sides while the Luger has a distinct taper to it. You might be able to cobble something together with Luger dies that would shoot, but I don't think the cases would last too long. Look the round up in Cartridges of the World or Wikipedia and see if it is not close to the untapered .38 auto rounds. .38 ACP is semi rimmed and headspaces on this rim, tho tiny. I think there is some limited surplus ammo available. Un reloadable cases (Berdan) but cheap. SAMCO maybe SAMCO global Arms. google them. Luck.

[Savage]

RCBS sells dies for the 9mm Browning Long. Midway has them for $160.99. Sounds like your friend has a Astra or Star pistol. Loaded ammo is available for that chambering. If the pistol were mine, I'd stick it in the back of the safe with a couple boxes of ammo and take the money I'd spend on dies to use toward the purchase of a pistol in a more common caliber. Without looking at the cartridge and bullet dimensions, I don't know if 9x19 dies would work or not.
Savage

[Savage]

Looks like the 9mm BL is a 9x20 using a .355 dia bullet. 9x19 dies would most LIKELY work ok. That is ASSUMING the case taper is the same. Good luck!
Savage

[Savage]

Perhaps not. Looks like your friend has two options if he wants to shoot his pistol:
Buy the correct dies.
Buy ammo
Given the cost of the dies and ammo, I'd shoot something else!

Pistol cartridges
Name           Bullet               Length                 Rim                 Base        Shoulder         Neck                   OAL

9x19mm Parabellum    9.02 (.355)    19.15 (.754)    9.96 (.392)    9.93 (.391)    N/A    9.65 (.380)    29.69 (1.169)
.
9 mm Browning Long    9.02 (.355)    20.32 (.800)    10.26 (.404)    9.75 (.384)    -    9.55 (.376)    27.94 (1.10)

Savage

[Don Smith]

Thank you all for your input and data.  I have forewarded it to him for review.   Great forum and Great people.  Don

[Troyboy]

Sarco has this ammo real cheap for now. If more info is what you want check out the c&r pistol forum