380 seating die question

[lrrifleman]

This is a question for those that reload the 380.

I have a later version of the RCBS seating die, but it is contoured for a round nose bullet. Does anyone know if RCBS offers a later style (wide diameter) seating plug the will accommodate a truncated cone style hollow point bullet? I fear using the round nose plug would deform the bullet.

As always, thanks for your help!

 

[D Brown]

I have never had any issues with the rounded profile seating punch supplied with the original die set. That being said; there's no problem to just swap out the flat base seating punch that comes with your .38/.357 die set (assuming you have a set for .38/357) if you are still concerned.

Best of luck!

 

[FlyFish]

The current RCBS catalog lists a seater plug designed for the .355 90 gr Gold Dot bullet, which is a truncated cone hollow point.

 

[HKSmith]

Yes, RCBS lists alternate seating plugs for 9 mm. These would certainly work for .380 ACP as well. Availability in the current environment is another issue. Lee will make a seating plug for any bullet you send them, but you might have to buy a Lee seating die as well.

 

[rockquarry]

I've found that some of these seating plugs are contoured to where they will work for different nose styles without marking or deforming the nose. It may not work, but it's worth trying before you go to the trouble to replace it.

 

[Funflyer]

IME 380 doesn't have near the resistance to seating as others and there's pretty much 0% chance of any jacketed bullet deforming regardless of seater stem shape. However, softer cast bullets do benefit from the correct seater and why I use them. A while back I was lucky enough to find them on a PSA clearance for .97¢ so I stocked up. Most were for odd ball bullets, so I hog them out and use epoxy to mold them to a specific casting I use.