380 dies

[LNF150]

I use the .380 lee dies. Haven't had any problems. Really careful in the initial set up with the powder drop/flare die and the seating die. I don't use much (or very much) flare on the outer lip. The outer edge of the base of the bullet will barely touch any of the inner lip edge of the cartridge. It's a finesse game. Then I will switch over to the seating die and gently seat a couple of bullets to see if I need a little more or less flare. What I've found is that the lip of the brass (seems to) springs back just a minute amount from when it leaves the flare die to seating the bullet. A very tiny amount of added flare compensates for that but having that springiness also helps the lip hold onto the bullet.

 

[x_wrench]

"when I seat the round the case gets scrapped or dents right below where the bullet is in case"

i had this problem initially myself using the 4 die set from Lee. it turned out in my case that i was not getting enough flare on the case mouth. i tried unsuccessfully to re-adjust the die (powder thru expander die) so in my typical fashion, i went to work to see if i could fix the problem myself. i did find a way to make it work. i ended up using hardware store flat washers (I think they were 3/16") to put between the expander and the die. which forced the expander to move deeper into the case. doing this however, creates a new problem. the expander no longer gets stuck in the case, and the "shaking the powder" to make sure all of it ends up in the case feature no longer functions. i am not certain if all of your powder would even make it into the case doing this, as the hole would be substantially reduced in size. i NEVER use the powder thru the die feature, on any of my loads, so its not a problem for me. i never liked the expander sticking, even though i understand the purpose. i have since gone thru and "shimmed" all of my dies as i charge in a separate step anyway. doing this will require adjusting the expander die in a new manner, it needs to be slowly adjusted until you are getting the correct mouth flare, not adjusting them to Lee's procedure.

 

[buck460XVR]

.380 is the only caliber that I use Lee dies. Went with them thinking I would only be loading a relatively small amount of ammo as compared to my other handguns, so the cheaper cost was attractive. Had continuous issues with loose neck tension and bullet setback. Was not due to excessive flare, because sometimes I did not have to flare the case mouth at all to seat a bullet. Called Lee and they said it's a common issue with their dies and using "certain kinds of brass". Problem I had was with all brass, not just "certain" kinds. They suggested I get their "U" undersize die, which cost as much as the whole 4 die set. While it worked, my final cost for .380 dies was above the initial investment of a decent set.

 

[Walkalong]

.380 is the only caliber that I use Lee dies. Went with them thinking I would only be loading a relatively small amount of ammo as compared to my other handguns, so the cheaper cost was attractive. Had continuous issues with loose neck tension and bullet setback. Was not due to excessive flare, because sometimes I did not have to flare the case mouth at all to seat a bullet. Called Lee and they said it's a common issue with their dies and using "certain kinds of brass". Problem I had was with all brass, not just "certain" kinds. They suggested I get their "U" undersize die, which cost as much as the whole 4 die set. While it worked, my final cost for .380 dies was above the initial investment of a decent set.

Lee uses the same sizer for .32 ACP, .32 Long, & .32 Mag. It is insufficient with .32 ACP and all brass, another caliber where the case wall thickness varies a great deal.

Dunno about .380, I chose RCBS there first instead of second.

"when I seat the round the case gets scrapped or dents right below where the bullet is in case"

Guessing, but wonder if he has stepped brass and a tight (A good thing) seater is rubbing/polishing the bump, or a real tight sizer is rubbing where the base of the bullet is when it is fat brass.

 

[kmw1954]

I see from Steve's other thread that he is trying to load 90gr HP which shouldn't make any difference.

I think we should step back and begin again more slowly with a full description of what you are using, brass, bullets, press, what you are seating the depth to. Are you using a Lee thru die powder measure? Hopefully we all can figure this out and help.

Right now I have just finished my second box of 500 Xtreme 100gr plated Flat Point 380 bullets. These were all loaded on a Lee 3 hole turret press with Lee Carbide 3 die pistol set dies and a Lee Auto Disk powder measure. The dies were purchased used from a member on another forum and have worked flawlessly. The only difficulty I've run into is the one I mentioned before with trying to use the Auto Drum measure on these small light cases. I too have used a general mixture of assorted brass that has been sorted by headstamp to provide some consistency in the reloading process. These Xtreme bullets are loaded to a length of .960" OAL

So far, after loading 1000+ rounds of 380 I haven't experienced and type or collapsing or bulging.

 

[Walkalong]

A pic of the issue would be helpful as well.

 

[buck460XVR]

Lee uses the same sizer for .32 ACP, .32 Long, & .32 Mag. It is insufficient with .32 ACP and all brass, another caliber where the case wall thickness varies a great deal.

Dunno about .380, I chose RCBS there first instead of second.

I was gonna go with RCBS, cause that's what all of my other handgun dies are, but since I didn't think I would be reloading large amounts of .380, I thought I'd save a few bucks and go with the Lee. Shoulda went with my first instinct since the "U" die was as much as the whole Lee four die set. Then once shipping was included(no one local handles them), I had substantially more invested than I woulda with RCBS. What bugged me was, the rep/tech came right out and told me that loose neck tension was a known problem with their .380 dies. One would think it would be a simple problem to solve. Either make the "U" die the standard sizing die or reduce the size of their sizing die included with their kits. I've yet to ever have a problem with "too much" neck tension.

 

[Dudedog]

One would think it should not be any harder or more expensive to make the U die than the other one.
But I am not a machinist or a CNC programmer so I may be mistaken.
My .380 standard Lee sizer die works ok for me, but it seems to be a common issue.
If nothing else they should at least offer to swap for the U sizer for say shipping costs if a customer has issues.
(I use lee products and are quite happy with the ones I have so I am not a Lee basher)

Sort of interesting because in 9mm my Lee sizers are both tighter than my Hornady one.

 

[drband]

Maybe it’s a case of manufacturing tolerances.
I have never noticed loose neck tension with my Lee carbide .380 dies. I have loaded plenty of plated and FMJ.380s with them in mostly range brass. I guess you could get a set that is slightly oversized.