I have a single stage press and have been reloading 9mm Luger. Can I use the Lee 9mm Luger dies for reloading the .380 auto (9mm short). Bullet diameter is .355, same as Luger. It would seem to me that it would be the same, I don't have dies for a .380. Your thoughts!
Reloading the .380 auto?
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I'm not sure; BUT, the 9mm has a tapered case while I'm not sure about he 380 case wall.
Can't remember the details but I used a combination of 9mm and 223 Rem dies long ago.
Then a Lee Loader kit and shortly after the Redding dies arrived.
IIRC, 223/5.56 cases can be made to work for lack of proper brass, but require thinning out the mouth's inside a bit.
FYI, I load 9mm Hornady 115gr XTP and FMJ along with 115/120gr Penn PC leads at 355" and their 100gr PC leads as well.
Starline brass but have about 2k of assorted as well.
Mini-nines the Horandy's be called and the XTPs are surprisingly accurate.
Lyman's 49th has the XTP data.
VV N320 as well as Bullseye.
Then a Lee Loader kit and shortly after the Redding dies arrived.
IIRC, 223/5.56 cases can be made to work for lack of proper brass, but require thinning out the mouth's inside a bit.
FYI, I load 9mm Hornady 115gr XTP and FMJ along with 115/120gr Penn PC leads at 355" and their 100gr PC leads as well.
Starline brass but have about 2k of assorted as well.
Mini-nines the Horandy's be called and the XTPs are surprisingly accurate.
Lyman's 49th has the XTP data.
VV N320 as well as Bullseye.
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kbm6893
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I have a separate die set for .380. I wouldn't want to deal with changing settings every time I switch between them.
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Dies are cheap; best to get the right ones.
As for cast bullets in .380, I used to load for a Makarov, an old Colt (1908?), and two or three Walther PPK/Ss. A .356" bullet cast of wheelweight alloy (about 13-14 BHN) worked best, conventionally sized and lubricated, but powder coat may work. Out of five powders, I think Bullseye and 231 were standouts. All these guns can be surprisingly accurate, even at 25 yards.
Before I ever loaded for the .380, I assumed it would take a .357" to .359" bullet like the 9mm. I was wrong to assume that.
As for cast bullets in .380, I used to load for a Makarov, an old Colt (1908?), and two or three Walther PPK/Ss. A .356" bullet cast of wheelweight alloy (about 13-14 BHN) worked best, conventionally sized and lubricated, but powder coat may work. Out of five powders, I think Bullseye and 231 were standouts. All these guns can be surprisingly accurate, even at 25 yards.
Before I ever loaded for the .380, I assumed it would take a .357" to .359" bullet like the 9mm. I was wrong to assume that.
I don't think that it will work. The diameter of the tapered Luger case is slightly larger so I don't think the 9mm die will fully resize the 380 case. The 380 is shorter as well so it probably cannot be crimped in the longer 9mm die either.
Long ago I read about someone making shot shells out of cut down 223/5.56 brass for a 380.
I must have used the 223/5.56 die to size the 380 brass and the shell holder is used by both.
I was able to accomplish the taper crimp but do not remember at this time.
A DoD level bourbon induced brain wipe might be why.
I must have used the 223/5.56 die to size the 380 brass and the shell holder is used by both.
I was able to accomplish the taper crimp but do not remember at this time.
A DoD level bourbon induced brain wipe might be why.
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If there is minimal/no flare in the case mouth, and the handloads plunk, no crimp is needed. A 9mm case is .074" longer, has an .011" taper with a case mouth OD .007" larger at .380" diameter vs, .001" taper on a 380 ACP, and case mouth OD at .373". Doubtful if 9mm dies would work on 380 ACP brass...
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I cobbled some 380 together after I bought a Beretta 85 and couldn't
find ammo, while waiting for dies to come in. No, the 9mm Luger sizing die won't work, but I was able to resize with a 223 rem sizing die. The 9mm seating die did work. I had to lube the cases to resize since the 223 die wasn't carbide. It worked, but I'm much happier with the real thing.
find ammo, while waiting for dies to come in. No, the 9mm Luger sizing die won't work, but I was able to resize with a 223 rem sizing die. The 9mm seating die did work. I had to lube the cases to resize since the 223 die wasn't carbide. It worked, but I'm much happier with the real thing.
cgt4570
Member
I couldn't find .380 dies after having to 'step down' to a tiny Ruger LCP due to not being 'allowed' to carry at work. I hadn't owned a .380 in years. Yes, the combo of 9mm and .223 dies works great! Plenty of posts on the interwebs about this. Good luck!
Paul in Nevada
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9mm dies won't work with 380ACP. 9mm is tapered, 380 is not. Why bother with 223 dies? A Lee four die set is what, $54? It's one of the best die sets on the market and hands down the best value.
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 380 ACP
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 380 ACP
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Not going to look up the specs on both cartridges to figure out the differences, but my guess on this is no, it won't work.
The biggest thing in the thought process on this, and I have had a few adult beverages tonight
, both 380ACP and 9x19 have been around for a very long time now, where if it would work, I would have a single set of dies labelled 380ACP/9x19 by now, like the old 38/357 or "newer" 40/10mm sets, and not a set for each.
The biggest thing in the thought process on this, and I have had a few adult beverages tonight
, both 380ACP and 9x19 have been around for a very long time now, where if it would work, I would have a single set of dies labelled 380ACP/9x19 by now, like the old 38/357 or "newer" 40/10mm sets, and not a set for each.
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Alk8944
US Veteran
Short answer, in spite of those who say you can use 9mm dies for .380 is NO YOU CAN'T! .380 will fall right into a 9mm sizer. Buy a set of Lee dies if cost is an issue. The aggravation isn't worth trying to cheap-out with the wrong dies. I have dies, etc. to load over 110 different calibers. I do improvise with some rare/odd calibers, but only because no one sells dies for them except custom. I have loaded .380 for over 20 years if you are curious!
gwpercle
Member
It can be done ... just like Liftrat outlines ..., but you need other die sets to get it all worked out ... unless you have 223 die to size them with and then you have to come up with a crimp die or try to use the 223 die to taper crimp ... My Advice ...
Buy , Beg , Borrow or Steal a set of 380 auto dies ...
Life will be so much easier !
Gary
austintexas
Member
380
I don't know if you can load 380 on a single press, but I have accidentally reloaded 380 brass on my Dillion progressive when I had a batch of 9mm with a few unknown 380s in it. Never noticed until I boxed the ammo. I have accidentally shot 380 in loaded on my progressive in my 9mm with out a problem. Found the brass when I picked up my 9mm brass.
SWCA 892
I don't know if you can load 380 on a single press, but I have accidentally reloaded 380 brass on my Dillion progressive when I had a batch of 9mm with a few unknown 380s in it. Never noticed until I boxed the ammo. I have accidentally shot 380 in loaded on my progressive in my 9mm with out a problem. Found the brass when I picked up my 9mm brass.
SWCA 892
STORMINORMAN
Member
One can possibly use some 9mm dies to expand or seat bullets into 380acp cases, depending upon the die set(s?) used...
Resizing and crimping...? Not so much!
I guess the real question is why? When so many threads on this sub-Forum are concerned with things like the differing thickness and/or weights of cases, primer substitutions, scale accuracy, etc., buying a set of dies seems a simple solution..?
Cheers!
P.S. Typically one can find a used carbide die set if needs be...
Resizing and crimping...? Not so much!
I guess the real question is why? When so many threads on this sub-Forum are concerned with things like the differing thickness and/or weights of cases, primer substitutions, scale accuracy, etc., buying a set of dies seems a simple solution..?
Cheers!
P.S. Typically one can find a used carbide die set if needs be...
While those who have loaded 380, not using the proper dies, they are not suggesting you do that.
Just that it can be accomplished by experienced loaders if need be.
Might be a hobby thing.
While this might not be a perfect example, analogeticalably wise, why practice shooting weak hand if your strong hand is available.
Just that it can be accomplished by experienced loaders if need be.
Might be a hobby thing.
While this might not be a perfect example, analogeticalably wise, why practice shooting weak hand if your strong hand is available.
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psquarejr
Member
It will not work, buy .380 dies.
