Newbe ? about .380 casting and sizeing

[Ed1]

I have a Star .380 and I put the lead down the barrel (forget what its called). I'm measuring .354 with my mic. Do I still buy the Lee .356 size and lubber?

[rexherring]

If your gun slugs at .354, I would use the .356 sizer. I try and use .002 over bore on most of my guns as long as the reload chambers o.k.

[Buzz64]

.356 should be perfect.

[Rick Hodges]

Yep, sounds about right to me.

[Ed1]

Thanks for the replies

[silverado]

Be sure to post range reports brother!!!!

[Ed1]

I will report but I didn't get the mold and sizer yet.

[GunFun]

One thing though. Mic after the lee sizer. I think I have 5 of them now, and so far only two of them were the stated size. The rest were .001" under. (Before I honed them up to spec)

.380 has very little fudge room in any respect. When I loaded for an LCP, it slugged at .355" and I could not get bullets to chamber every time with those at .356" until I got an FCD, which swaged them slightly in the brass. This is a very unforgiving round to load for, particularly since the powder charge is so small. (small volumetric or weight changes are large overall changes in percentage.)

[GunFun]

pps. since you havent' bought the molt yet, I suggest you order this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiOh2yiZDbE

I believe it is not yet a catalogue item, but can be ordered by phone.

[Buzz64]

That is the ranch dog design. Excellent bullet.

[Ed1]

I like that design

[GunFun]

I really wish it had been around when I bought a mold for .380.