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Thread: 380set back

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy ROCKET's Avatar
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    380set back

    I'm loading some 380 using lee dies and range brass. Every other bullet sets back when I push it with my thumb against the bench.

    Is the brass to blame ? Any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    Not getting enough crimp.Crimp in separate step.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    What diameter are your bullets? In my Ruger LCP and Beretta M1934 I size my cast bullets to .358" and have no issues.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    more crimp might help and since .380 is semi-rimmed won't get you into too much trouble. I'd suggest contacting Lee and seeing if they have a "u" (undersized) sizing die. Main issue is too little bullet pull- increasing bullet diameter might help if they will chamber.
    Loren

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    A smaller sizing die might help but if the neck expander belling die is big ten its sizing the neck up to much. Measure the end of it with mics if you have them or calipers. Measure a bullet expander portion should be .0015-.002 under bullet dia. any less and you may have issues.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

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    I have loaaded hundreds of 380 on Lee dies and haven't had this problem. Fcd being used?
    "In God we trust, in all others, check the manual!"

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy ROCKET's Avatar
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    Don't use the fcd die. Never liked it since in deformed my Boolits .. I'll try to crimp separately.


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  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    I size to .3575 ish ( buffed out 357) and use the fcd with mixed brass and like my fcd just fine for 380.
    "In God we trust, in all others, check the manual!"

  9. #9
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    I'd measure from the beginning.
    I seen a 9mm size die recently that was oversized.

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by runfiverun View Post
    I'd measure from the beginning.
    I seen a 9mm size die recently that was oversized.
    Had a similar issue with a 30 carbine die. Oversized and about a third of my reloads with jacketed or cast would set back with medium finger pressure. I had to send the die back to be replaced. On 380's, among other straight walled cases I like to use a separate dedicated Redding taper crimp die.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master dudel's Avatar
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    I had that happen on one round last week. Brass was clean; but I missed a crack in the case.

    If some of them are tight, and others are not; I doubt it's your crimp, your boolits (if you sized them) or your sizing die.

    Since you are using range brass (and I suspect not sorted by headstamp), know that brass can vary in thickness. Are the loose ones the same headstamp? If so, might have to cull those out and find a different crimp setting for them.

  12. #12
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    Crimp is never the answer. The expander is the problem. Or your lead is so soft the brass sizes the boolits.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rockshooter View Post
    more crimp might help and since .380 is semi-rimmed won't get you into too much trouble. I'd suggest contacting Lee and seeing if they have a "u" (undersized) sizing die. Main issue is too little bullet pull- increasing bullet diameter might help if they will chamber.
    Loren
    .380 is NOT semi-rimmed, it is a true rimless. The .32 ACP IS semi-rimmed.
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  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    The insufficient taper crimp may NOT be the source of the problem, but increasing the crimp + crimping in a separate step may reduce or eliminate it. Since it costs nothing to try, I'd try it before doing anything else. If you crimp and seat in one step, I'd try turning the die 1/8 turn or less to increase the crimp, and remember to turn the seater plug screw the opposite direction by the same amount. If you still have bullet setback after increasing crimp 1/4 turn, I'd say that your problem is not amenable to the measure I've described.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I agree with 44man, you need to figure out why the cases do not have enough neck tension to hold the boolits tight. The 380 headspaces on the end of the case so if you crimp too much the case may not headspace correctly. Brass has more "springback" than lead so overcrimpimg may lead to a loose boolit.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master murf205's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 44man View Post
    Crimp is never the answer. The expander is the problem. Or your lead is so soft the brass sizes the boolits.
    What 44man said
    IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    .380 is NOT semi-rimmed, it is a true rimless. The .32 ACP IS semi-rimmed.
    25 ACP & 38 ACP are semi-rimmed, too.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by ROCKET View Post
    I'm loading some 380 using lee dies and range brass. Every other bullet sets back when I push it with my thumb against the bench.

    Is the brass to blame ? Any suggestions?
    Why would you even push it against the bench? How does it shoot? Does it set back then?
    Luvtn

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy
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    It is not the crimp. 1. Your sizing die does not size the brass down enough. 2. Your expander die is too big. 3. Your bullets are too small. If you load try the the 223 sizer die ( with a little lube). Mic your expander. It seem to be common with 380 due to varying brass thickness. Thicker brass equals a smaller hole when resizer. Lee makes an undersized die for 380.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Have the same problem.
    Contacted Lee and they told me to send the die, some bullets and brass and they would ship me a die that will size the brass down enough.
    Just need to get things packed up and shipped out.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check