9mm Dies = .380?

[vis-à-vis]

I have decided that I am going to get The Lee Classic Turret Press for my first reloading experience.

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/kits/KempfKit.html

I am going to get the Deluxe kit from Kempf and the upgrade for a Pro Autodisk powder measure. The primary rounds I am going to reload is .223, 9mm, .380, and .45. The question I have, and I just want to make sure, is the 9mm die the same I would need for a .380. I would think it would be.

Thanks,
Vis

 

[Steve H]

It's NOT The 9 is a tapered cartridge and the .380 isn't.

 

[Walkalong]

No. You will need both .380 & 9MM dies. Sorry.

Very different cases that just use the same bullet diameter.

Link - 380 & 9MM Cartridge Specs

As Steve H said, the 9MM is considered a tapered case where the .380 is not. (Not really, it has a slight taper, same as .40, .45 etc., but not much.)

 

[cpaspr]

And the 9mm

is a longer case, and (I think) a different outside diameter.

 

[shc1]

I have loaded up to 124 grain 9mm bullets for my .380.
9mm and .380 are the same diameter.
.380 is 17 mm in length, 9mm is 19mm in length.
At the range check your mags to make sure you don’t load one or the other in the wrong pistol.

 

[GCW5]

You'll need a pretty heavy taper crimp on the .380 to keep the bullets from pushing back into the cases while firing.

 

[Walkalong]

.380 is 17 mm in length, 9mm is 19mm in length.

There are major differences besides that. Check the link above to the cartridge drawings.

 

[sansone]

NO you can't 9mm=tapered case / 380=straight case/both bullet diam=.355

 

[vis-à-vis]

You'll need a pretty heavy taper crimp on the .380 to keep the bullets from pushing back into the cases while firing.

If I get the proper dies will the press automatically do that? (I've ordered ABC's of reloading)

 

[DWARREN123]

Check out Lee 3 die sets, they come in 9mm/380 ACP.

 

[Walkalong]

If I get the proper dies will the press automatically do that? (I've ordered ABC's of reloading)
__________________

You will have to set up the dies right, but the book will cover all of that. No worries.

Check out Lee 3 die sets, they come in 9mm/380 ACP.
__________________

9MM AND .380.......One set won't load both.. just to clarify. I'm sure that is what DWARREN123 meant.

Learn from others mistakes, you can't make them all yourself

I've made a ton of em though.........Like that quote DWARREN123

 

[RustyFN]

Great choice on presses by the way.
Rusty

 

[GCW5]

My Lee dies won't crimp tight enough to hold the bullet, thats why I got the taper crimp die. The only other crimp die I have is for the 45ACP, my Lee dies are made to load 45 Auto Rim with a roll crimp. I am able to get a good crimp on my Lee .38/.357 die set and my RCBS 40 S&W/ 10 mm die set with out the extra step.

 

[DWARREN123]

I don't reload .380 ACP but the Lee die set says 9mm/380. I do not know if they will work well on both or not. I do know their 38spl/357 mag set will do both.

 

[Walkalong]

The 9MM case tapers from .391 to .380 from the case head to the mouth.
The .380 is almost straight measureing .374 to .373 from the case head to the mouth.

.391 minus .374 is .017---That's a big difference.
.380 minus .373 is .007---Thats still too much.

.38 Spl. is a straight walled case .379 all the way.
.357 mag is also a straight walled case .379 all the way.
.357 Maximum as well, just longer still.

Most makers use a longer carbide ring on 9MM because of the taper on the case.

It won't work.

Trust me.......I have both and load both.

Link to Cartridge Drawings

 

[Zcarp2]

Use 223 sizing die

Using the 223 sizing die puts a heavy taper on the 380. Works great. Shell holder is the same too.

Use your 9mm seater and you are good.

If you open the neck to seat the bullets, you will need a die to close it back. This is only necessary for lead bullets.

Have fun and make sure your pistol will seat your loads BEFORE you get to the range. Make a dummy round without powder and a primer. Adjust the dies until it chambers to your satisfaction.