I have an opportunity to purchase a set of Hornady 380 dies. Unfortunately, the components just don't seem to add up.

The box containing the dies is marked 9mm Luger. The sizing/depriming die is allegedly marked 9mm, 380, and 357. The flaring die IS marked 9mm 380. The seating die is allegedly marked 357. Has anyone seen Hornady 380 dies marked this way? While the price is attractive, everything seems to be shouting danger.

Opinions please?

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Judge control not gun control!

Any .357 or .38 Spl. dies won't reach down far enough to do 9mm or .380, except the size die, which would be too small anyway. Sounds flaky to me.

I'd pass on this. That seating die is too high for .380s Instead, suggest you get a set of dies made specifically for .380 ACP. You'll be happier in the long run using the proper dies.

What he said. The proper die set is cheap enough and will give you a lifetime of quality rounds.

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Dave

I don't see how the sizing die could be correct for the 9mm, .380 and
.357. The 9mm case is tapered and the .380 and .357 are straight
walled. I agree with the others, better pass.

Never heard of that compatibility description.
Sounds like you would be better off with dies made for .380.
I can understand how the size/decap might work but everything else sounds not quite right.
Jim

A new set of Lee dies are less than $40. If you can't afford new dies for that price you shouldn't be reloading. Just my humble opinion.

Sounds like a mish mash of dies to me!

I don’t know about Hornady but Lee dies are stamped with a number. I once went to Lee site to verify a die that got mixed up during a move.

When a new, 4 die carbide Lee set is $40, why take the chance with a used set? Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 380 ACP - MPN: 90447

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Minimize the variables

If it was free, I would still pass.

It's not worth it. Been there done that.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Run Forest Run.

Thank you for your replies. The dies were stamped as stated above. Not having reloaded 380s before, I wasn't certain what improvisations worked.

As an aside, I can afford new dies, I just like to be wise how I spend my fixed income. Buying used allows me to buy more powder and primers! 😀

If you were to look at my reloading bench, you would see dies by RCBS, Hornady, and Lyman. I have never used Lee dies before, how is the quality and durability? I buy my equipment with the belief that my grandchildren's grandchildren will still be using my gear. At the moment I plan to reload practice ammo for my HSc on my Dillon.

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Judge control not gun control!

I too would give this die set a "pass". Have you ever been reloading 9mm Luger and come across a 380 ACP (aka; 380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, 9×17mm and 9 mm Browning Court, where the 9mm named dies may come from, and mebbe .357" bullet dia?)? The 380 just slides through the 9mm sizing die and it's obvious, although some sizing takes place, it just doesn't fit.

I have never had a problem with Lee dies. I have Lee, Hornady, RCBS, Lyman and some others I can't think the name of. Nothing wrong with Lee in my opinion.

You ammo will fit in the gun and wire fire safely with proper case size, bullet seating, bullet crimp, and cartridge over all length.

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S&WHF 366

I agree with pass on it and just buy a new 380 die set if you really want to reload 380.
Sometimes a basket case is nothing more than left over parts found in boxes someone had sitting in the basement or garage.