loading .380 with 9mm dies?

[Big Boomer]

I have a Dillon XL 650 and regularly cast and load for my 9mm Sig P938 on that machine. My brother wants to load a 95 gr. round nose boolit for his .380. Do I have to buy the whole .380 outfit (auto case feed and adapter, shell plate, etc.) from Dillon in order to reload for the .380? If I recall correctly, the .380/9mm Kurz is just a short 9mm. Anyone with any experience on this issue? Info appreciated. My Star lube/sizer should handle boolit sizing as is. Big Boomer

[dudel]

Don't know about the case feeder; but my Dillon 550 uses a different shell plate for .380 than for 9mm. The .380 shell plate is the same one as used for .223. For the 650, Dillon shows different shell plates for .380 and 9mm.

IIRC, the .380 rim is different from the 9mm rim. 9mm case is tapered; while .380 case is straight. Length is obviously different, as is the neck diameter. See more at: http://www.diffen.com/difference/.380_ACP_vs_9mm


I tried using 9mm dies; but had some issues. I ended up getting a set of Hornady .380 dies on sale. With the 100 free bullets thrown in, it was less money than Lee.

[Mike Z]

Saami specs
http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Pistol/380%20Automatic.pdf

http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Pistol/9mm%20Luger%20-%209mm%20Luger%20+P.pdf
9mm has a taper

[Tatume]

The dies are different too:

e.g.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/885350/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-9mm-luger?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/867293/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-380-acp?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[2wheelDuke]

As others have said, every company I can think of calls for a different shell holder. A 9mm sizing die probably won't do much for a .380 case because of the different dimensions. You might be able to make it happen with a .380 shell holder/plate, but they will probably only chamber in the gun that originally fired them, and not that reliably still.

You should probably just get the .380 dies and plate. I'm not too familiar with Dillon stuff, but the case feeder might still work.

[w5pv]

9mm is longer and larger at the base than 380's this prevents 9mm being shot in a 380.I have prety good luck in loading a 102 grain bullet for pratice shots in the 380 and 9mm 2.1 grains of titegroup in the 380 and I think the ame in the 9mm.Both function well in either weapon.

[Big Boomer]

Thanks for the info guys. Big Boomer

[reddog81]

While 9mm has a taper, none of my dies do...
However the case mouth diameter of the 380 is smaller so the sizing die might not do anything.
You could try it and see what happens. Assuming the dies are long enough the expander and seating die should work. The crimp die probably won't do anything.
I don't know about the shell holder as I've never reloaded 380's before

[dkf]

I wouldn't suggest using a 9mm sizer. I have had issues with .380 and jacketed bullets using a Lee .380 sizer. Bullet could be slipped into the case with even no flare added. Sent it to Lee and they said it was in spec. For jacketed I ended up getting a U die from Lee and use the regular sizer for cast bullets. Hopefully you don't have the same issue.

[khmer6]

Quite different aside from case length. You can try mix and match dies and single stage it. Or just try it out and see your findings. Shell holder same as 223

[dkf]

I have heard of guys using a .223 full length sizing die for .380 but I never tried it myself. You can pick up a Lee 3 dies set for around $35 so we are not talking about a lot of money.

[Outpost75]

I load .380s using a Lee .38 Short Colt / .38 Long Colt die set, which combines a .38 Special carbide sizer, with a .38 S&W crimp seater and has a 9mm powder through expander die, which works fine if you bottom the expander die against the shell holder.

[Motor]

The case head is definitely different as mentioned. I think the only usable 9mm tool may be the sizing die unless the neck expander can be lowered enough for it to work too. I doubt the taper crimp 9mm die would work it's probably too deep and the shell holder will contact the die before applying the crimp.

Motor

Thanks Outpost75. In this case "I think" was wrong. :)

[Outpost75]

9mm size die is too big because 9mm base diameter is .391" vs. .374 for. 380 ACP.
As for shell holder, .32 S&W Long will work as .380 rim is .374, vs. .394" for 9mm.

[Big Boomer]

Again, thanks for the info. Sure appreciate it. I'll probably just get the Dillon conversion for the XL 650. Big Boomer

[warf73]

I have a Dillon XL 650 and regularly cast and load for my 9mm Sig P938 on that machine. My brother wants to load a 95 gr. round nose boolit for his .380. Do I have to buy the whole .380 outfit (auto case feed and adapter, shell plate, etc.) from Dillon in order to reload for the .380? If I recall correctly, the .380/9mm Kurz is just a short 9mm. Anyone with any experience on this issue? Info appreciated. My Star lube/sizer should handle boolit sizing as is. Big Boomer

For the case feeder
Dillon Casefeed Plate Small Pistol
Stock Number: 21073
Specifications (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/content/p/9/catid/3/pid/23822/ctype/specs)

Recommended for use with 32ACP, #2 S&W Long/32 H&R Magnum, .380 ACP, 9mm/38 Super. For 30 Carbine, use two of the spacer washers

So you are good there since you already load for the 9mm, as others have said get the 380 convertion with dies and start loading.

[ProfGAB101]

.223 shell plate, 223 small base size die, 9mm powder die, 9mm seat die - this all might work but will mean you will need to reset you 9mm dies for going back to 9mm.

Me - I'm the other way - I made 3 extra bullet seating dies just so I could quickly swap out the die to match the bullets I was loading, 1 die for hollowpoint, 1 for flat point, 1 for round nose ball type. This way each maintains the proper seating depth. But then I shoot LOTS of 380 !