Sizing for the .380, what sizing die?

[Down South]

I'm used to casting for revolvers and sizing for them. I'm wanting to size for a little .380 pistol. The barrel slugs at .356". The sizing die, .357? Thats the question. What sizing die, .001" over?

[runfiverun]

that's where i'd start. you can open the sizing die if needed easily enough.

[MtGun44]

+1 on runfive's recomendation. That is the starting point, the only sticky spot can be if
the chamber happens to be extra tight and it won't accept a round with the fatter boolit,
but that is unlikely in this situation.

Bill

[beagle]

I've loaded a bunch of .380s for a shooting friend over the years and have used both .356" and.357". The accuracy of his pistol leaves a lot to be desired but from my limited shooting of it, either seems to do pretty well accuracy wise.

If I had a.357" sizer, I'd try that first./beagle

[Shuz]

FWIW--I have a Ruger LCP and an AMT Backup that both function and shoot well with the Lee 102g boolits cast from WW+1% tin and sized .356. Like John says, try the .357 sizer first and go from there if you have a .357 die, if not, I'd suggest you try the .356 first.

[Down South]

Just ordered a .357" die from Lathesmith. I have a couple .357 dies but they are honed out to .358" and .359".

Thanks for the answers guys. This little mouse gun is what I pack in warmer weather here. It's to damn hard to conceal anything much bigger in 100+ degree weather.

BTW, I won the little Sig P238 on a $15 chance on a square. I've put about 1000 rounds through it with a couple hichups. It seems like the more I shoot it the better it does. Once it becomes problem free, I'll depend on it more.