[1KPerDay]

About every 5th one through, it goes KACHUNK instead of smoothly entering, and does this to the case mouth. I did it slow for this one and it happened so I could feel where it occurs... it's right as the brass enters the die.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a206/1KPerDay/Guns/Reloading/75c1dd7e.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a206/1KPerDay/Guns/Reloading/d8a35fdd.jpg

Ideas?

[kludge]

.380 brass is thin and you have to be careful... if I get going too fast or I bump it a little off center in the shell holder I get the same thing... not as many as you though. maybe 4-5 per 100.

[T Bran]

If you are using Lee shell holders rumor has it that they can be a bit sloppy. Kind of looks like the case is not staying centered every time.
Hope you get it sorted out as you are definately in the best place to do so.

[ranger335v]

Any case that tries to enter any die out of line will do that, it isn't a 'die problem.' Nor can a shell holder be erratic, it's the case heads that vary.

[ljnowell]

Yep, as stated above, the casing wasnt going into the die straight. The only downside I have ever found with any of my Lee equipment is that I feel thier shellholders are pretty sloppy. I use thier die sets exclusively, their presses, powder measures, priming system, etc, but I dont care a whole lot for thier shell holders.

[1KPerDay]

hmmmmmm..... I am using the lee case holder. I loaded a couple hundred a few weeks ago and didn't have any problems. Weird.

[dickttx]

I had a problem with 9mm in the sizing die. I changed to the #19 shellholder and it pretty much went away. (LCT and everything Lee) I developed a habit when I was using the #6? shellholder of keeping my thumb on the case while raising it into the die.
Never had a problem with the PT/expander die, but I would check for movement in the shellholder during the cycling.

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, the shellholder slot seems sloppy. I was able to prevent further case trashing by being very gentle on that die, and if I felt any resistance, re-orienting the case.

Who makes a better .380 shellholder with less generous tolerances?

[rcmodel]

Take the expander plug out, chuck it in a drill, spin it up, and file or belt sand a little more taper on the end of it so it will center the case before reaching full expander dia.

http://leeprecision.com/pm-expan-plg-380.html

rc

[T Bran]

I would call Lee and explain the problem.
Who knows they may even send you a different # shell holder at their expense as they have been very good to myself and others in the past.
I am not bashing Lee as I really like their equipment in general but I have read a fair # of posts with issues related to some of their shell holders. It seems that they try to make some #'s more universal than they should but they do offer other options in some cases.
Luck

[gamestalker]

I've encountered the same thing with most all auto loading pistol cartridges. The extractors will chinger up the grove. I usually turn them as I slide them into the shell holder. It helps them seating flush into the shell holder, thus preventing the mouth from catching on the bottom of the die, crunch!

GS

[1KPerDay]

The extractors will chinger up the grove.
Uh... if you say so. :D

[jcwit]

I've had the same thing happen. Do as RC Model says, it'll solve your problem.

[1KPerDay]

It's definitely the shell holder/position. I can feel it start to hang up sometimes, then if I push the top of the brass rearward (away from me) it slides in fine. It's working okay; I just have to go slower than I normally would. thanks for the help

[Certaindeaf]

Are you using a Lee shell holder? Check this out..

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=rcbs%20shell%20holder%20chart&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CHQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.handloads.com%2Fmisc%2Fshellholders.asp&ei=ejrWT871L7CE2QXnrqCkDw&usg=AFQjCNF_gHCNd0W1jYj2FzqfnOeJZvd54w

I'd be tempted to go with an RCBS shell holder.. for the Lee .380 (#4) it's intended to be used for quite a few, namely many .32's, that the RCBS doesn't etc.
That'd be my guess.

[1KPerDay]

I assume the RCBS has a hole in it for the primer to drop through, right?

EDIT: never mind... it does. thanks!

[Certaindeaf]

Yes, I believe they (these) are all universal, meaning they will all fit the same presses and function the same, save for what cases they best fit.