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Thread: Bad Neck Tension .380 ACP

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    111

    Bad Neck Tension .380 ACP

    I have the Lee powder thru die and Lee auto disc powder measure(old one) to load .380 ACP
    The jacketed bullets measure .355 and the expander measures .355(Used Micrometer)
    The expander is too big for these FMJ's(No neck tension) If I back the die out to leave no flare the powder measure won't activate the disc far enough to drop the charge reliably. If I remove material from the expander it will probably be too small for powder coated cast boolits.
    Is there a way to raise the powder die and not oversize the case mouth and still activate the auto disc for its full travel? I use this same setup for 9mm and .45 ACP with no issues.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master wilecoyote's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2021
    Location
    venice, italy
    Posts
    660
    ...2 expanders (intended as the cheap Lee Power Thru die inner spare parts).
    one for fmj to be thinned at your will and one for pc boolits to be leaved as it is_
    Food is overrated. A nice rifle is way more important.
    Rob

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    111
    I took a couple thousands off the expander and it’s better. .380 ACP was a chore. Had to fill in and cut a new disc hole to measure 3 grains of HP38. Redo the case feeder. Experiment with crimps.
    Going to try out a LCP Max this weekend. Thanks

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    That's the best way. The Lee isn't just a flare as you found. It is an actual expander plug. I don't like the auto disc. The auto drum is a huge improvement.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    111
    I’m not a big fan of the disc either. But once dialed in they work great. I reload many different calibers and I just keep these powder measures with the die setups. Rarely have to adjust much when I changeover. I lucked out when I filled the disc hole with epoxy and redrilled the new cavity.
    It was spot on at 3 grains of HP38.

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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