resize 380 acp

[biogenic]

I am pretty sure I can use my 9mm to seat and crimp a 380. Would a 223 resizing die work on the 380 ?

[BigBronco]

I would be surprised if you could get a crimp on 380 with a 9mm seat die. As the 380 case is shorter. For example I can't crimp a 38 special in a 357 seat die.

[waho]

Really, my die set is for both 38 and 357.

[Malthusian]

I am pretty sure I can use my 9mm to seat and crimp a 380. Would a 223 resizing die work on the 380 ?

The .223 is a tad bigger..

For the most part 380 and 9mm dies are not interchangeable due to the slight differences in width as the 9mm is a taper case and the 380 is straight walled
The 380 brass is also thinner and does not size correctly with the 9mm dies. It does looks like the .233 might actually work. I do realize it is the same shell holder...

Personally I would just get a 380 die set. Everyone has them in stock

Here are the dimensions of the cartridges

[Scout2Diesel]

If the bottom of the case dimension are the same and you wish to lube them? I'd go with the carbide die.

[XDRoX]

I would be surprised if you could get a crimp on 380 with a 9mm seat die. As the 380 case is shorter. For example I can't crimp a 38 special in a 357 seat die.

99% of 38spl dies also load 357mag.

Best advice is to just get the correct dies.

9mm sizing dies will not size a 380 to spec. 9mm is not straight walled 380 is. You can use 9mm seating/crimping dies on 380 though.

I'm not sure sure if you can use a 223 die to size 380. It would be interesting to try. I have all the stuff including a 380 case gauge, so if you really want to know and don't have the stuff let me know and I'll try it.
But I'd never want to use this method often because my 223 dies are not carbide.

[Bill Steele]

I am pretty sure I can use my 9mm to seat and crimp a 380. Would a 223 resizing die work on the 380 ?

It probably depends on where the sizing ring is relative to the die mouth. All you care about is sizing the neck, so if it will go up far enough into the die, it will probably work fine. If you have a .223 die, give a try with a dummy round and see if it will provide enough neck tension.

[XDRoX]

Forgot to add that many times I have had 380 brass slip though the press when loading 9mm. The finished round comes out looking fine. I doubt it would case gauge in a 380 case gauge but it looks fine to the naked eye. I have even gone as far as to load them in a mag and try to fire them in a 9mm. I've never had one to bang though. They always misfire.

I really need to pay better attention.

[Bill Steele]

Forgot to add that many times I have had 380 brass slip though the press when loading 9mm. The finished round comes out looking fine. I doubt it would case gauge in a 380 case gauge but it looks fine to the naked eye. I have even gone as far as to load them in a mag and try to fire them in a 9mm. I've never had one to bang though. They always misfire.

I really need to pay better attention.

I always catch them in the sizing die, the whole process becomes way too easy all of a sudden.

[BigBronco]

Really, my die set is for both .38 and 357.

You hit the nail on the head Pilgrim. Your die says .38 and .357 mag. What you have is a combo die set. The resizing die is a .357 mag die and both the flaring die and seating/crimp die are actually .38 special dies.

I stated you cannot seat/crimp a 3.8 special in a .357 seat die. The 357 seat/crimp die is too long to crimp a 38. Now a days Manufacturers market the combo die sets that use the .38 special seat/crimp die and mark it as both .38 and .357. The same goes for.44 mag and .44 special

Back in the day you had to buy two sets to load the two cartridges. Now they sell Combo sets.

[gkjconsulting]

I am using a 9mm RCBS die to seat bullets in a 380 ACP. I just purchased 1000 Sierra 90 gr JHPs to solve the problem I was having with Hornady 90 gr XTPs or at least see a different result. When I try to seat the bullet, most every round produces a bulge in the case and I know it will not chamber. Not really sure what to do at this point. I have never had a problem like this and I load for most everything. I am using new Starline brass. I have also noticed that the diameter of supposedly .355 bullets is not correct. Magtech seats loose without the problem above. Nosler 115 JHP seems to work as well actually like it should, but the Hornady and Sierra cause the problem almost every time. Obviously, every one else is using these bullets (Hornady and Sierra) without any problem. I am looking at getting 380 ACP dies, but everyone is out at the moment. Could this problem be caused by re-sizing with the 9mm ? Not sure that I did, normally only neck size new brass for rifles only. I just do not remember doing it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[wtkaiser]

Apples and oranges, guy. They are two different cartridges. Get the .380 dies.

[Bill Steele]

I am using a 9mm RCBS die to seat bullets in a 380 ACP. I just purchased 1000 Sierra 90 gr JHPs to solve the problem I was having with Hornady 90 gr XTPs or at least see a different result. When I try to seat the bullet, most every round produces a bulge in the case and I know it will not chamber. Not really sure what to do at this point. I have never had a problem like this and I load for most everything. I am using new Starline brass. I have also noticed that the diameter of supposedly .355 bullets is not correct. Magtech seats loose without the problem above. Nosler 115 JHP seems to work as well actually like it should, but the Hornady and Sierra cause the problem almost every time. Obviously, every one else is using these bullets (Hornady and Sierra) without any problem. I am looking at getting 380 ACP dies, but everyone is out at the moment. Could this problem be caused by re-sizing with the 9mm ? Not sure that I did, normally only neck size new brass for rifles only. I just do not remember doing it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I am having a hard time understanding all that is going on. Maybe break it down to smaller amounts of information and add a few pictures.

[mark501w]

Maybe the combo of new brass & a longer bullet are comeing together. Maybe there's more taper on the inside. I use 115's but they are lead with the right dies. I once tried to load 300's in.44special, cases didn't like that ether.

[gkjconsulting]

Sorry guys, let me try again. I found this thread because it seemed that others may be having problems using 9mm dies to load 380 ACP. I have newly primed brass and when I seat the bullets - and I just tried a few more a couple of minutes ago, a bulge appears at the seating depth. The Sierra 9mm .355 90 grain JHP do it every single time. I have not been able to seat one that will work. The Hornady 9mm .355 90 grain XTP work about 50 % of the time. Just taking these two bullets in particular, with minimal seating force, and normal seating depth for a 380 ACP to fire in multiple weapons, a bulge appears almost like the case is not wide enough for the bullet. The mouths have been beveled properly. Any thoughts or advice besides 380 ACP dies, which I will get as soon as I can find them. Not sure if that is the problem though. From what I have read, the 380 ACP case dimension, even the width is slightly smaller and the 9mm is tapered and the 380 straight walled. WTKaiser, I just saw your response. I hear you and that is what I am trying to figure out. I just assumed the 9mm / 380 as I have for the 38 / 357 and 40 /10 mm. It sounds like there is quite a difference, at least I think I am seeing it between the 9mm and the 380. It seems like others have been successful and I had been with Nosler 115 JHPs, but they are a little heavy. The right bullets are the ones I am trying to use. Just need the right dies.