Big Mistake or Not?

[kjtrot]

During my loading session this morning something a little strange happened to me. By accident a piece of .380 range brass got into my 9mm brass. The problem I have is that it loaded just to the same physical size of my 9mm loads. I am concerned that this may cause me or others harm from overpressure besides taking a great 1911 to its demise.

The reason that I caught the mistake is that with the overall lenght the lube ring just showed on the bullet looking quite strange.

I am loading on a Hornady LNL with 9mm mixed once fired range brass.

My standard target load is using 115 grain LRN to a COL of 1.100 with 3.9 grains of Titegroup. I just wanted some thoughts of other more experienced reloaders and was I in any tremendous danger. I try to be real careful but this one almost got through.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Pull the bullet and salvage the powder.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rcmodel]

Well, it would be an unsafe over-load in a .380 case for sure.
And it would likely feed and headsace off the extractor and fire in a 1911.

My standard procedure when loading most any caliber where mix-up's could happen is to inspect and stand cases in 50 round loading blocks.
Any short ones are readily apparent when looking at 50 cases standing in a loading block, before it gets to priming and powder charging.

This is especially importent with 9mm range pickups, as some folks trim them back to make 9x18 MAK cases out of them, so you can't even trust the 9mm Luger headstamps.

rc

 

[cougar1717]

Thank God for bullet pullers - the wonderful eraser for reloading mistakes.

 

[Walkalong]

If it loaded to the same O.A.L as the ones in 9MM brass, the pressure would be the same since the space under the bullet would be the same.

One round? Heck, pull it. Even if you waste the powder, you haven't wasted much. Punch the primer out with the sizer and re-use it.

 

[ny32182]

I don't know the exact dimensions of a .380 case, but if it is literally just a shortened 9mm, I would think like Walkalong does: I'd still pull it and replace the case, but doubt you'd see a KB if it did feed and fire. Same OAL would = same interior volume in the loaded round.

 

[rcmodel]

A .380 ACP case is not just a shortened 9mm Luger case.

It is both shorter, smaller around, and much weaker then a 9mm case.

rc

 

[twice barrel]

While I don't think any damage would occur I know I'd pull the bullet, dump the powder and get the 380 case out if I could. If not, knowing me I'd use just the primer to load up, point the pistol to some dirt and bust a cap to see if it would shoot out the 380 case. Might have to clear a barrel though.

 

[Walkalong]

pressures

.380 cases clearly don't have to be able to hold as much pressure as 9MM cases, and are not made as sturdy as 9MM brass. (as rcmodel posted)

Since that is starting load for 115 Gr lead rated at 25,800 CUP, I would think you would be OK, but the safe (smart) thing is to pull it.

 

[rcmodel]

I'm not seeing 3.9 grains of Titegroup/115 lead bullet being a starting load in 9mm?

It for dang sure would not be a starting load in a smaller weaker .380 case.

rc

 

[JDGray]

A 115gr bullet would be seated so far out of the 380 case, at 9mm oal, that pressure would probably not be an issue. But why be a test pilot? I'd just pull it, to be safe. I bet it would shoot without a problem, assuming it wouldn't set back opon chambering

 

[jfh]

one round? F'pete's sake, just pull it.

Jim H.

 

[kjtrot]

Thanks for all of the valuable information. Just for the record I did NOT plan on trying to fire the round. I will pull the bullet and retrieve the powder. The brass and primer will be rendered useless and discarded. I was just concerned if one does gets through that me or my family were not in extreme danger. The round just went through the press and loading cycle way too easy.
All of the information here is invaluable to new folks.
Thanks

 

[Walkalong]

I'm not seeing 3.9 grains of Titegroup/115 lead bullet being a starting load in 9mm?

From Hodgdon's reloading data center

115 GR. LRN Hodgdon Longshot .356" 1.100" 5.0 1032 20,200 CUP 6.0 1166 27,300 CUP
115 GR. LRN IMR 800-X .356" 1.100" 4.5 1004 24,000 PSI 5.3 1128 28,200 PSI
115 GR. LRN IMR SR 4756 .356" 1.100" 4.5 1027 25,000 PSI 5.2 1145 31,600 PSI
115 GR. LRN Hodgdon HS-6 .356" 1.100" 6.4 1117 27,900 CUP 6.9 1170 32,200 CUP
115 GR. LRN Winchester AutoComp .356" 1.100" 4.4 1002 24,800 PSI 5.1 1145 31,500 PSI
115 GR. LRN Hodgdon Universal .356" 1.100" 4.0 1034 24,400 CUP 4.5 1124 31,300 CUP
115 GR. LRN Winchester 231 .356" 1.100" 4.3 1079 28,400 CUP 4.8 1135 32,000 CUP
115 GR. LRN Hodgdon HP-38 .356" 1.100" 4.3 1079 28,400 CUP 4.8 1135 32,000 CUP
115 GR. LRN IMR PB .356" 1.100" 3.3 974 26,900 PSI 3.7 1061 32,500 PSI
115 GR. LRN Hodgdon Titegroup .356" 1.100" 3.9 1075 25,800 CUP 4.3 1151 30,500 CUP

It for dang sure would not be a starting load in a smaller weaker .380 case.

Sure wouldn't.

one round? F'pete's sake, just pull it.

Yep...

The OP isn't the first to do this, nor will he be the last. I bet some of those folks fired em too.

 

[THe Dove]

Pull it!

The Dove

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I have heard of people firing 380 rounds in 9x18 and 9x19. I never knew if they were bragging, just plain stupid, or both. Given the pressures involved, I doubt if you would damage yourself or the gun. But it's good to hear that you didn't fall in the stupid category.

 

[billybob44]

Kj, I'm a little surprised that this is the first for you. Most of the 9MM range brass that I have bought has between .5 and 1 % .380, or .40 S&W merged into the lot. I usually inspect all on the bench top before cleaned. I, like most here would pull bullet, discard powder, and punch out and re-use primer. If you don't have a single stage then throw away the primed case.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I accidently loaded a 380 sometime back while loading 9mm. Didnt notice until i noticed a round that wouldnt fire in my 92fs. Ejected it and found out why.

 

[thorn-]

I've done this a few times (both .380 and 9x18). But I use a also case gauge, and it's caught every one before it went in the box.

thorn