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Thread: Load .380 without the proper dies?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master



    ddixie884's Avatar
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    Load .380 without the proper dies?

    Anyone ever load .380acp with other dies? what other dies can be used to size neck expand and seat bullets? There are several .45 rounds that can be used with some substitute dies. How about this. Will it work?
    JMHO-YMMV
    dd884
    gary@2texastrucks.com
    Gary D. Peek

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    I Know that I have, but it was some time ago.. thinking some combo of 38 SPL and 9mm...Maybe... I generally just go for it.. and check for Effect

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Try 9mm dies. The bullets are the same diameter.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    A 223 or 222 size die is the right size for the body, 9mm is larger. I use a 9mm to flare, I think, it’s been a while. May have used a 38 special to size and decap, then seat and remove the crimp with the 223. Not certain that was the sequence, it’s been about 6 or 8 years since I loaded any.
    “You don’t practice until you get it right. You practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Jason Elam, All-Pro kicker, Denver Broncos

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
    rintinglen's Avatar
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    Use The 223 sizer to decap and resize LUBED cases. Use the 9mm expander die to bell the case. Seat the boolit with the 9 mm seater die. Then remove the flare by removing the decapping stem from the 223 die and partially lowering the die until you get the case mouth down to .373-.374 inches.

    Sometimes you get lucky and the 9 MM seater die will remove enough of the bell to let you make shootable ammo without the hassle of the fourth step.
    _________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
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    Rintinglen has it right. Once upon a time, I acquired an old Mauser HSC (G.I. bring-back?) that I had no intention of keeping and used the same procedure with a 7 TCU sizer die and .38 Super expander and seater dies.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
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    This is precisely why I used to hunt through every "$5 Orphan die" box I found at gun shows.

    It is surprising what you can make work for low volume loading.

    Robert

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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