Sizing question

[deadin]

I have need of some .380 dia. pistol bullets. Will I be able to run some soft cast 38/40 or 10mm bullets through a .380 dia. lube/sizer die and
will it leave any grease grooves?

[Cane_man]

going from .400 to 0.380 will be a hard to push thru, imo... generally don't want to go more than 0.005 at a time...

[deadin]

generally don't want to go more than 0.005 at a time.

Hmm. Guess it's time to break out the lathe and make a few interim dies. I have a 1 ton arbor press and the step dies don't have to be all that exact.
(I can't see buying 3 more lube/sizer dies just to arrive at what I need......:mrgreen:)

Thanks for the info'

Dean

[reed1911]

What are you loading the .380" in?

[deadin]

What are you loading the .380" in?

Dutch M1873 New Model in 9.4mm

[triggerhappy243]

buy another mould..... less effort

[deadin]

buy another mould..... less effort

What does a custom mold cost?

(Besides I probably won't make up more than a dozen or so rounds)

[reed1911]

Would it be easier to start from a 200g .386"?

[MT Chambers]

There are so many molds out there that are made for the .38/55 that go .380"-.382".

[deadin]

Would it be easier to start from a 200g .386"?
Unfortunately Lyman doesn't offer the 386177 or 386178 mold any longer (41 LC)
I see that Western Bullet offers the bullets in batches of 100. I will look into them.
The only problem I can foresee is the hollow base may be difficult to resize without deforming the bullet.
I will check out the solid base however.

As for the 38/55 #380681, 250 gr. may be pushing just a little too much. (Besides they're $90. I don't value my time that much....)

[skeettx]

http://alcan7.hubpages.com/hub/The-94-Dutch-Revolver

and then

http://westernbullet.com/41coltcaliber.html

[reed1911]

The bullets for the 41LC should work fine, even the hollow base would be fine, just flip them over when you size them and run with it. 100 should set you back very little and give you enough to shoot a few and keep a few with the gun (What I suspect is the plan considering the low round count you planned)

[deadin]

Unfortunately Western Bullet is out of both types of 41 LC bullets and doesn't know if or when he will get some more.
(However I did score some 45 Auto Rim brass from him.)
So, I guess it's back to Plan A and squeeze down some 10mm/.40 S&W slugs. (Or just be happy with round ball.)

[skeettx]

OK
Get them here

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=157137&CAT=4136

or

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/570204/montana-precision-swaging-cast-bullets-41-short-colt-41-long-colt-401-diameter-200-grain-lead-heel-type-round-nose-non-lubricated-box-of-50

[deadin]

skeettx,
Interesting article on the 9.4 Dutch. I have never heard of a lanyard ring safety. All I know is my 1873 New Model's lanyard ring just spins around and does nothing else. (I pulled the grips and there is nothing there that would do what he says.) As for the DA trigger pull, apparently he's never experienced a Russian Nagant gas check revolver. That's a stiff trigger pull. Actually my M1873 has a very smooth, and loong DA pull that doesn't seem too stiff.

Another option for bullets is to pick up one of the Lee blank mold blocks and cut my own cavity. They run around $20 for a double block with handles. Might be an interesting project.

BTW....
Here's a pic of the beast:
http://deadin.info/webpics/DutchM1873NM.jpg