using 9mm dies for 380 it works

[lone ranger]

so I read a bunch of forums on reloading 380 with 9mm dies,..some said it couldn't be done.

Why not ? you can do 357 & 38 with the same dies.

so here we go.- You DO need a different shell Holder. a #10
the 9mm doesnt work.

other than that, just pop in a store bough 380 round and set your dies accordingly.

I wanted a load that was the same as the MaxTech ammo I was using.
Its a snappy round.
So I used 3g of bullseye powder. The recoil felt the same. thats good !
I used a 95 gr bullet from Budget shooters.


pic- I used the dimensions of the MaxTech

pic- the projectiles

pic- number 10 shell holder

used LEE 9mm dies

 

[lone ranger]

did up 175 rounds so far.
Ran into no issues with setting the bullit Hight or the Crimp.
any questions just ask.

 

[ted_dent]

Have you tried chambering them in your gun? The nominal diameters of .380 ACP is .372" at the neck and .373" at the base while the 9mm diameters are .380" at the neck and .392" at the base so 9mm dies will not be sizing the .380 cases back down to factory specs. If the chamber on your .380 is a little tight you may have chambering issues with fired .380 cases sized in a 9mm sizing die.

If they work that's great but I would try chambering them first before loading up a lot of them.

 

[lone ranger]

They measure and fit identical to the max tech. Thats why I made them the same .I knew they worked, so I wasnt gonna change a thing.
I have taken it out to the range and it runs 100%
same accuracy. same ejection. they perform like the max ammo.

 

[lone ranger]

I went out to the shop later and measured the brass case on the max tech, then i measured my reloads.... I must have Tight dies....they are both the same ??

 

[OkayShooter]

Couldn't see why it wouldn't.. Most Seating or flaring dies does not bottom out on the shell plate. 380 shell length is .680 and 9x19 is .754, only 0.74 difference. So you have the adjustment needed. As with Lee dies. The expander die is only backed off 1 full turn, and 3 turns for the seater.

What is impressive is the 357/38 dies can also reload 357 Rem max, which is near 1/2" longer than 357 mag.

 

[ted_dent]

They measure and fit identical to the max tech. Thats why I made them the same .I knew they worked, so I wasnt gonna change a thing.
I have taken it out to the range and it runs 100%
same accuracy. same ejection. they perform like the max ammo.

Hey, if they work go for it. Saves you the cost of an extra set of dies.

 

[saskgunowner101]

I went out to the shop later and measured the brass case on the max tech, then i measured my reloads.... I must have Tight dies....they are both the same ??

Sometimes you win at life, sometimes you lose lol and it looks like a case of good luck here. Somewhere out there is a guy with a tight chamber and dies with generous dimensions that's saying this doesn't work! Saved the price of a set of dies!

 

[lone ranger]

Sometimes you win at life, sometimes you lose lol and it looks like a case of good luck here. Somewhere out there is a guy with a tight chamber and dies with generous dimensions that's saying this doesn't work! Saved the price of a set of dies!

Ya, you just never know.
I have read that some 380 guns are very ammo picky.
My Browning has shot all sorts of different brands and worked 100%
I use to have a 12.6 Beretta in 380 and it was picky. It liked Hot ball ammo

 

[Meroh]

so I read a bunch of forums on reloading 380 with 9mm dies,..some said it couldn't be done.

Why not ? you can do 357 & 38 with the same dies.

so here we go.- You DO need a different shell Holder. a #10
the 9mm doesnt work.

other than that, just pop in a store bough 380 round and set your dies accordingly.

I wanted a load that was the same as the MaxTech ammo I was using.
Its a snappy round.
So I used 3g of bullseye powder. The recoil felt the same. thats good !
I used a 95 gr bullet from Budget shooters.


pic- I used the dimensions of the MaxTech

pic- the projectiles

pic- number 10 shell holder

used LEE 9mm dies

They work for .38 S & W too; just need different shell holder.

 

[lone ranger]

"They work for .38 S & W too; just need different shell holder."

well now thats good to know.

 

[Meroh]

"They work for .38 S & W too; just need different shell holder."

well now thats good to know.

Did it for years.

 

[lone ranger]

Every iron is ignited by a hammer !

 

[Meroh]

Every iron is ignited by a hammer !

Indeed.