thx997303
11-10-2010, 01:52 PM
Well, I was a little bored and wondered if I could load 380 acp using 9mm dies.
So, since I don't have 380 acp dies, and I do have 9mm dies, I tested it.
First I found a few pieces of 380 acp fired through my Ruger LCP.
PPU headstamp.
I measured the neck's OD at .377" and the ID at .358"
I then took one of the cases and adjust the 9mm sizing die down till it touches the shell holder at the top of ram travel.
I then ran the first case through.
The die set deprimed the case, and visibly sized the neck portion of the case.
I measured the sized and deprimed cases neck diameter at .375" OD and the ID was .356"
Sounds pretty good to me so far.
I smoked the second case to see how far down the case the 9mm dies sized.
The following picture is the result.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3117.jpg
As you can see, the case was effectively neck sized. Plenty of sizing for proper boolit pull.
I then sized about 50 mixed headstamp pieces of 380 acp brass the same as above, and using the barrel from my Ruger LCP as a case gauge, I checked for chambering issues.
Every single piece of brass dropped into the chamber without persuasion, and subsequently fell out of the chamber with only their own weight.
Good so far.
Next I attempted to run the 380 brass into the expander die for 9mm.
This was a no go. The 380 brass is too short for the lee powder through expander die.
Not being satisfied with this, I decided to see if I could make it work.
I placed a 350 gr Ranch dog boolit that I shoot in my 45-70 on top of the expander plug, and screwed the top part back onto the die.
This photo shows what I did above.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3119.jpg
The above process left the expander plug sticking out the bottom of the die.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3121.jpg
If I were looking for top accuracy, and was shooting these rounds out of something other than a tiny little Ruger LCP, I may worry about concentricity issues, but as it is, I'm not concerned.
Now, by merely adjusting the die until you get the desired flare, you can flare the 380 cases with the 9mm expander die.
I adjusted the flare on the cases to accept the base of a .360" boolit without issue
On to seating the boolit.
I'm using a Lee 105 gr Round nose boolit, that is .360" in diameter.
I first adjusted seating depth with the body of the die backed out, and had no trouble doing so, then I adjusted the crimp with the seating stem backed out.
This went as normal. No special adjustments were made.
I ended up with a dummy round with an OAL of .925"
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3126.jpg
The round fit in the magazine just fine.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3124.jpg
I then attempted to chamber them from the magazine with the LCP.
The round chambered without issue.
I then chambered the round an additional 10 times from the magazine, and noted the OAL after each chambering.
The OAL did not shorten at all.
So, it appears that 380 acp can be successfully loaded using my LEE 9mm dies, for use in my Ruger LCP.
In the next little while, I will be loading some test rounds using both Unique and Titegroup.
After working up an accurate load, (crossing fingers) that doesn't lead the barrel, I will then proceed to load and fire the same 20 pieces of brass neck sizing only.
I will be sure to report any chambering issues, IF they develop.
So, since I don't have 380 acp dies, and I do have 9mm dies, I tested it.
First I found a few pieces of 380 acp fired through my Ruger LCP.
PPU headstamp.
I measured the neck's OD at .377" and the ID at .358"
I then took one of the cases and adjust the 9mm sizing die down till it touches the shell holder at the top of ram travel.
I then ran the first case through.
The die set deprimed the case, and visibly sized the neck portion of the case.
I measured the sized and deprimed cases neck diameter at .375" OD and the ID was .356"
Sounds pretty good to me so far.
I smoked the second case to see how far down the case the 9mm dies sized.
The following picture is the result.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3117.jpg
As you can see, the case was effectively neck sized. Plenty of sizing for proper boolit pull.
I then sized about 50 mixed headstamp pieces of 380 acp brass the same as above, and using the barrel from my Ruger LCP as a case gauge, I checked for chambering issues.
Every single piece of brass dropped into the chamber without persuasion, and subsequently fell out of the chamber with only their own weight.
Good so far.
Next I attempted to run the 380 brass into the expander die for 9mm.
This was a no go. The 380 brass is too short for the lee powder through expander die.
Not being satisfied with this, I decided to see if I could make it work.
I placed a 350 gr Ranch dog boolit that I shoot in my 45-70 on top of the expander plug, and screwed the top part back onto the die.
This photo shows what I did above.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3119.jpg
The above process left the expander plug sticking out the bottom of the die.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3121.jpg
If I were looking for top accuracy, and was shooting these rounds out of something other than a tiny little Ruger LCP, I may worry about concentricity issues, but as it is, I'm not concerned.
Now, by merely adjusting the die until you get the desired flare, you can flare the 380 cases with the 9mm expander die.
I adjusted the flare on the cases to accept the base of a .360" boolit without issue
On to seating the boolit.
I'm using a Lee 105 gr Round nose boolit, that is .360" in diameter.
I first adjusted seating depth with the body of the die backed out, and had no trouble doing so, then I adjusted the crimp with the seating stem backed out.
This went as normal. No special adjustments were made.
I ended up with a dummy round with an OAL of .925"
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3126.jpg
The round fit in the magazine just fine.
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_3124.jpg
I then attempted to chamber them from the magazine with the LCP.
The round chambered without issue.
I then chambered the round an additional 10 times from the magazine, and noted the OAL after each chambering.
The OAL did not shorten at all.
So, it appears that 380 acp can be successfully loaded using my LEE 9mm dies, for use in my Ruger LCP.
In the next little while, I will be loading some test rounds using both Unique and Titegroup.
After working up an accurate load, (crossing fingers) that doesn't lead the barrel, I will then proceed to load and fire the same 20 pieces of brass neck sizing only.
I will be sure to report any chambering issues, IF they develop.