Can the same dies be used for 380 acp and 9mm?

[ljnowell]

I check every time I change charges and every time I've had the unit on for any length of time.

Thats the only way if you are gonna use one as your primary scale. It soured me after my experience with it, so I wont use one anymore. I have though about one of the high dollar powder dispenser/scale combos. Mainly for stuff like rifle loads, just havent got the guts up to try one again.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Proof that the .380 has usurped the .44 magnum is when people avert/divert to powder measures/weight of powder. heavens

 

[cfullgraf]

Do you use a check weight every time you weigh a different charge?

You do realize that you must "zero" or "tare weight" the scale periodically?

Digital scales need to be re-zeroed periodically as they will drift. This is not the same as re-calibrated.

I re-zero mine every two or three charges when I am setting up the powder measure. Sometimes more frequent. I will hit the zero button before checking a powder charge during a reloading session.

I record the weight of the powder pan so I use it as a "check weight" so to speak during the reloading session. The pan tells me that the scale is still reading correctly. But, I never have an issue needing to recalibrate the scale when changing powder charges.

I go through the calibration procedure every time I turn the scale on.

It is one reason I do not have a battery powered scale. Most turn themselves off after a short time to save battery power. I am uncomfortable using the scale without calibrating it when I turn it back on.

Beam scales work fine and I do have one for back up. But, it sits in its box on the shelf waiting for the power grid to crash.

 

[jcwit]

Absolutely cfullgraf, you are correct!

 

[ljnowell]

You do realize that you must "zero" or "tare weight" the scale periodically?

Absolutely, why would assume that I do not? I have been reloading for quite a while. Anything that runs on batteries will not work right if the batteries are weak.

 

[cfullgraf]

Anything that runs on batteries will not work right if the batteries are weak.

Absolutely. But I doubt that TVA's "batteries" will run low anytime soon.

See post #20

 

[joshf128]

Hey, at least the OP recognizes that they are different calibers. Yesterday at the range I overheard someone ask a guy what caliber he was shooting and he answered "380". His buddy said "I think you mean 38 special". Response "Oh yah, same thing".

At least they weren't shooting reloads.

Similar thing happened in Cabela's a couple of weeks back. I was looking at bullets next to another shopper and the salesman came to ask if there was anything we needed help finding. The other guy said that it looked like they didn't have the bullets he was looking for in 38 special, so he was just going to buy some for 380 and use those. When the salesman tried to explain that it was not a good idea the other customer told him to mind his own business and stormed off towards the cash register with his 380 (.355) bullets.

 

[GLOOB]

OP: I don't see why not. There might be a slight dimensional differences. As long as the round chambers and you get good neck tension with no setback, it should work.

One concern. When I bought my .38/357 dies, I asked the guy if I could load both calibers with the same dies. He said that you can use .38 special dies to load both. But if you bought dies specifically made for .357, you couldn't load .38 special. It was a problem of either crimping or flaring, I don't remember which. Basically, the shorter .38 special case might not be able to reach in a .357 specific die. (I don't think anyone makes .357-specific dies, anymore, anyway).

So you might be able to load 9mm with .380 dies, but not the other way around. Wouldn't hurt to try.

Also, because the 9mm is tapered, it might be the case that 9mm dies are made with the sizer ring higher up. So you might not be able to size a .380 case all the way. And conversely, using a .380 sizing die on a 9mm case might overwork the web, unless you leave a gap between the die and the shellholder.