380 crimp

[chief99]

Loading now for 38 , 40 and 45's on a Lee 4 hole turret press . Only use a taper crimp on the 40 and 45 , factory crimp on the 38 . Recently bought a Ruger LCP and P238 Sig Sauer in 380 caliber. Will I need just the taper crimp on the 380 or the FC also .

 

[rcmodel]

Just need the seating / taper crimp die if you adjust it right.

Factory taper crimp measured at the case mouth ranges from:
.371" on S&B & Rem.
.372" on Winchester.
.373" on Federal & American Eagle.

So adjust for the middle range (.372") and call it good.

rc

 

[redbullitt]

You will like that p238. Excellent little gun if you have the most updated version with all the bugs worked out of it. Flat wire spring was good to have if I remember right.

As far as loading, I handled the crimp the same as any other auto cartridge, nothing out of the ordinary. Never bothered to use anything more than a little taper crimp.

 

[CZ9shooter]

Yep. Treat them just like your 40 and 45 loads. Use your seating die to crimp while seating. Or use it in a seperate step after seating.

Unless you have some back asswards Hornady 380 dies like I have. Their seating die applies a roll crimp. They expect you to buy an additional die to crimp properly. It says so right in the paperwork. Luckily my Lee 9mm die works for crimping 380.

 

[joneb]

I am not very experienced with loading 380 acp, but I have noticed a considerable variation in the brass. I would sort your 380 acp brass by head stamp and save your self some headaches.

 

[steve4102]

I use the Lee Factory Crimp die on my 380 ammo. I use it for both jacketed and coated cast. Works perfectly.

Kimber Micro with Crimson trace grips at 15 yards Lee Coated Cast crimped with the Factory Crimp Die. As you can see accuracy was not degraded by it's use.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Lee FCD that comes in the set is appropriate for the cartridge you buy for. If it's a revolver round the factory crimp is a roll crimp and if it's for a semi-auto it's a taper crimp.

You can use the seating/crimp die or a FCD, whichever you prefer. I happen to like the FCD for semi-auto cartridges. A third option, if you are using a turret press, is to buy another seating/crimp die and crimp in a separate operation. Again, whichever you prefer.

 

[Eb1]

The RCBS seating die for 9mm has a nice taper crimp built into it. Maybe you can find one used.