.380 ACP Cases Discrepancies

[a1c]

I'm very new to reloading - I only read the Lyman Handbook and ordered components and my Hornady LnL kit, that's it, I've actually not reloaded anything yet. So bear with me, I did a search in this forum and on the Web and didn't find an answer to my question.

I've been collecting brass on informal outdoors shooting ranges for a while - cleaning is more like it. I put the shotshells in a plastic bag, the steel, Berdan-primed and aluminum cases in buckets for recycling, and I tumble clean and sort the rest.

I've been finding some .380 cases and observed significant discrepancies in them (I'm actually thinking of possibly reloading it eventually, since a friend of mine has a Bersa Thunder and I've been eyeing the P238, but haven't shot it yet).

Here are 7 different cases among those I have in my .380 box, which have significant differences in the extractor groove dimensions. Left to right:

- Sellier & Bellot 9mmBr.C.
- Winchester (spelled out completely) 380 AUTO
- Win 380 AUTO
- W-W 380 AUTO
- P.M.C. AUTO
- IK 03 9x17
- F C 380 AUTO

What I don't understand is how the groove is much narrower in the S&B and the first Winchester, and much wider in the last 2 (Igman Zavod and FC).

Are these manufacturers' differences, or are some of those cases much older than others (did the specs evolve at some point)? Can't those differences in grooves make a big difference depending on the gun that fires it?

Thanks for any help. I'm learning.

[robert101]

It looks like you might have some 9MM cases mixed in with your 380 cases. If that is the situation, then yes, the base is different. You should not be able to insert a 9MM into your reloading base collet. For instance RCBS has a different collet number for both 9MM and .380. Check to see if the length of the cases is dramatically different. The 9MM case is of course longer.

[a1c]

It looks like you might have some 9MM cases mixed in with your 380 cases. If that is the situation, then yes, the base is different. You should not be able to insert a 9MM into your reloading base collet. For instance RCBS has a different collet number for both 9MM and .380. Check to see if the length of the cases is dramatically different. The 9MM case is of course longer.

Nope, none of those are 9mm Luger. Check the headstamps on the second pic. Lengths are all similar and consistent with .380 ACP.

[ojisan]

Yes, over the years I have noticed many differences in rim cuts in all semi auto calibers.
Now and then you will find some odd brand brass with such shallow extractor grooves that they cause extract / eject problems in some guns.
Please trash these where no one will ever find them again.

[justMike]

I have seen the same issue with 9x18 Makarov brass also. The Federal has the long tapered groove like yours on the right. The Starline brass is like standard 9mm type groove. S&B is in between as I recall. I guess it must not be critical on these calibers but can't help but wonder if it would make a difference on the 45acp as those seem to have the .308 win. type extractor groove vs. the 30-06 type narrow one.