Can the same dies be used for 380 acp and 9mm?
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Wil Terry
Member
NO.
powell&hyde
Member
Necessity being the mother of invention, it can be done. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=97794
While the nomenclature is confusingly similar 9mm Luger vs 9mm Short or 9mm Kurz for the .380, the 9mm Luger is a tapered case, the smaller is a straight wall.
I am a big fan of Lee products and their die sets are quite affordable. While I reckon anything can be jury-rigged, it is a whole lot easier to just use the corrrect dies for each caliber.
I am a big fan of Lee products and their die sets are quite affordable. While I reckon anything can be jury-rigged, it is a whole lot easier to just use the corrrect dies for each caliber.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
+1
The 9mm is a 391" head to .380" mouth tapered case with a .394" case rim.
The .380 ACP is a straight case measuring .374" including the rim.
So NO, you can't load both calibers properly with the same dies.
rc
The 9mm is a 391" head to .380" mouth tapered case with a .394" case rim.
The .380 ACP is a straight case measuring .374" including the rim.
So NO, you can't load both calibers properly with the same dies.
rc
mgmorden
Member
I say this as someone who already owns separate die sets for both, BUT:
With carbide dies, don't they typically do a straight-walled resize on the case even if specs call for it to be tapered? With 9mm that was my understanding as to why carbide dies produced a more pronounced "coke bottle" effect.
With that in mind, since the case mouth is the same to hold the same width bullets, it would seem to indicate that carbide dies already would be sizing to the same level.
Of course I'm sure I'm missing something, as I know that occasionally a piece of .380 brass wanders its way into my 9mm and without fail I can pretty much always tell from the way the case feels on the resize. Pops in and out with barely any resistance.
With carbide dies, don't they typically do a straight-walled resize on the case even if specs call for it to be tapered? With 9mm that was my understanding as to why carbide dies produced a more pronounced "coke bottle" effect.
With that in mind, since the case mouth is the same to hold the same width bullets, it would seem to indicate that carbide dies already would be sizing to the same level.
Of course I'm sure I'm missing something, as I know that occasionally a piece of .380 brass wanders its way into my 9mm and without fail I can pretty much always tell from the way the case feels on the resize. Pops in and out with barely any resistance.
Yes, I own a Speer/RCBS manual and some other older literature. The manual is very big and heavy, so I don't lug it around ever.... it stays near the bench, and that means I cannot refer to it except when I am in front of the press...
This manual came with a rockchucker SS press I purchased a few years ago and I was somewhat surprised because I assumed printed books went out of use about 10-15 years ago. I would have preferred a CD with the loading data that is included in the paper book and that would have cost RCBS about 10 cents to include in the Supreme SS package.
I think it is time for RCBS to reconsider the items included in the SS kits. The big heavy book and the beam scale should be replaced by a CD and a small digital scale. The hand primer is also useless to me and I would have preferred a stand-alone primer flipper.
We are in the 21st century ...no need to 20th century stuff IMO.
This manual came with a rockchucker SS press I purchased a few years ago and I was somewhat surprised because I assumed printed books went out of use about 10-15 years ago. I would have preferred a CD with the loading data that is included in the paper book and that would have cost RCBS about 10 cents to include in the Supreme SS package.
I think it is time for RCBS to reconsider the items included in the SS kits. The big heavy book and the beam scale should be replaced by a CD and a small digital scale. The hand primer is also useless to me and I would have preferred a stand-alone primer flipper.
We are in the 21st century ...no need to 20th century stuff IMO.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
CD reloading manuals??
One of my manuals stays open on the loading bench every time I start working with a new caliber or new load for an older caliber I have loaded for years.
Heaven forbid I had to run upstairs and boot up a computer to double check a case length measurement or powder charge on a CD!!
Another couple stay here by my computer so I can answer questions with half a clue of knowing what I'm typing.
If they included a cheap digital scale half as accurate as the cheap beam scale, you couldn't afford it.
rc
Seriously!! How heavy can a reloading manual be???
One of my manuals stays open on the loading bench every time I start working with a new caliber or new load for an older caliber I have loaded for years.
Heaven forbid I had to run upstairs and boot up a computer to double check a case length measurement or powder charge on a CD!!
Another couple stay here by my computer so I can answer questions with half a clue of knowing what I'm typing.
If they included a cheap digital scale half as accurate as the cheap beam scale, you couldn't afford it.
rc
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NeuseRvrRat
Member
if you don't like the book or the scale
maybe you shouldn't have bought them
maybe you shouldn't have bought them
HOWARD J
Member
If you loaded or reloaded with only a digital scale---I would make sure that I was at least 50' away from you when you started shooting
Really?
What's wrong with using "...only a digital scale..."? I wouldn't be surprised to learn that 50% of folks reload using only a digital scale. I know I do, and it works wonderfully.
In fact, I'm going to start a poll on digital vs beam scale.
Oh and I'm also in SE Michigan, so make sure you ask me if I'm next to you at the range. I'll be the one shooting the flawless reloads.
beatledog7
Member
I can hardly wait to see where this goes.....
jcwit
member
For less that the cost of a tank of gas today, just get a set of 380 dies and be done with it.
https://fsreloading.com/lee-3-die-set-380-carbide-90625.html
https://fsreloading.com/lee-3-die-set-380-carbide-90625.html
jcwit
member
What pray tell is that supposed to imply?????????????????????????????
I have not open the box with my beam scale in 15 to 18 years.
The last time I compared my digital and beam scales, they weighed powder charges exactly the same.
The digital scale gives me better information faster.
ljnowell
Member
Until the batteries go low, or they quit working. I bought a few different digital scales over the years, I use my beam every time. After having new batteries that were weak give me erroneous results I will not ever trust one again. 6.3gr of Bullseye is a little bit unsafe in a 230gr 45acp load.
Batteries, what batteries? My digital scale doesn't use no stinking batteries.
If no 110v in my reloading room, I would not be reloading anyway--no light!
jcwit
member
Dead batteries, low batteries. I only use NiMHyd rechargable batteries. Electrical grid going down, sure, dream on, even if it does the solar panels and little wind mach will take over.
ljnowell
Member
Who said anything about the grid?? The fact is when batteries are low, and you wont know it, digital scales can give bad readings. If you dont believe that fine, but you are wrong.
jcwit
member
Please read before you post. Read and note post # 18 here is the quote.
Thats who talked about the grid going down!
This is why I use a check weight before starting as I would with ANY scale before starting.
Thats how I know I'm NOT wrong.
ljnowell
Member
Do you use a check weight every time you weigh a different charge?
I fired up my scale, checked it with a check weight and started doing some reloading. Switched calibers, reset my powder measure, using the digital scale. Something didnt look right. Didnt look like the right amount of powder to me. Took out my beam scale and yep, she was about 2gr heavy. Read right on though. Used a check weight not more than an hour before.
So, yeah, digitals can easily be wrong. You can deny that all you want, but thats exactly how it happened to me, and why i dont use one anymore. I might be swayed to buy one that is 110v, but for that money my beam scale works every time.
jcwit
member
I also check my charged batteries, don't know what to tell you, I just NEVER had any problems doing it the way I do.
Never ever use partialled charged batteries.
I check every time I change charges and every time I've had the unit on for any length of time.
It's worked for me for over 10 years now. YMMV
Use any scale you wish, just relating my experience.
Never ever use partialled charged batteries.
I check every time I change charges and every time I've had the unit on for any length of time.
It's worked for me for over 10 years now. YMMV
Use any scale you wish, just relating my experience.
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