Handload 9mm or .45 Auto?

[Kaldor]

What would happen if a .380 accidently got loaded along with your 9mm and was fired through your pistol?

Nothing. Ive loaded a 147 into a 380 case with 3.1gr of TG. It went bang, blew out the case a little, and I found it when I swept up my brass. With powder that uses more case capacity, you would definitely see the powder in the case being much fuller and notice it

 

[RussellC]

What would happen if a .380 accidently got loaded along with your 9mm and was fired through your pistol?

I dont know, I have had a .380 slip in, its easily detectable as there is no resistance, like there is no case.

Russellc

 

[CrankyCraig]

Hi guys,

Just curious... I only have experience handloading centerfire rifle cartridges and revolver cartridges. I've never handloaded for any automatic handgun cartridge. It's an important consideration to me in planning certain purchases in the next year. Right now I'm set up to load .30-'06 and .38 special.

What's the difference in handloading for these two semiauto handgun cartridges? I assume there are more out there reloading for .45 than for 9mm, but even if I should acquire a 9mm (I do, finally, have one in mind) I'd like to be able to handload for it, even if factory ammo is less costly than .45.

Which of the two is easier to handload for?

(Bonus question: What about .380 auto? From a handloading standpoint, is it like a smaller .45, or a 9mm short?)

TIA

45 ACP will be more forgiving lots of good published loads lot lower pressure

 

[Dudedog]

Easy to feel the .380s when they slip in resize/deprime to easy, and loose in the 9mm shell plate on a LNL. 9 Mak is a different story they are really sneaky.
9mm are not hard to load, .45 maybe a but easier, I started on shotgun ammo, then 9mm with lead bullets *missed the post that advised against starting with lead* worked out fine anyway,
.45 .380, 9MAK as well. 38/.257 ,223, 7mm ARem Mag,

I have yet to fell the need to trim semiauto brass in these calibers I shoot the most 9mm and ,45

 

[kcofohio]

There has only been two times that I recall, that 380 case got mixed with the 9s. Both times I had to remove a stuck case in the sizing die because shell holder didn't retain the 380 case.

 

[mstreddy]

Handload 9mm or .45 Auto? Or even 380?

Yes, reload them all. As you mentioned 9MM may not yield as much savings as 45, or 380, but if you shoot enough of it it's worth it. You'll enjoy shooting your reloads at the range. I load 380 so it's a comfortable shooter at the range and can practice more with those tiny carry guns.

As for 380 in the 9MM bunch, if I missed them during the brass sorting, they'll show up during sizing.

 

[VThillman]

[snip]

► Unless you have the need for an auto pistol, I might even chuck it all and simply start with 38 Special using a 357 Magnum revolver. You'd get the simplicity of the 45ACP with the lower expense of the 9mm. The 357 Mag will withstand much higher loads, giving you a huge safety margin. And revolvers are very cheap to purchase; typically about $150 less than a pistol. But best of all... you'll NEVER, ever have to bend over and hunt for your brass !!!

Hope this helps !

Starting out with 38 Special also (should) develop and reinforce the habit of 'peeking for powder' in the case before seating the bullet. A plinking charge of Bullseye is way down in the case.

 

[lightman]

I also suggest starting with the 45. There are so many different headstamps in 9mm that the tolerances can be all over the place. Issues with shell holder fit and priming problems used to be pretty common. Both the 9mm and 45 were used by the military so crimped primer pockets may be encountered. Not really a problem but they require another step in the process. 45's now have booth large and small primers so thats something else to watch for. Since you already load 38 special the learning curve for either of these should be easy for you. In my opinion, carbide dies are worth the price difference!

 

[Monster Zero]

Hi guys,

Just curious... I only have experience handloading centerfire rifle cartridges and revolver cartridges. I've never handloaded for any automatic handgun cartridge. It's an important consideration to me in planning certain purchases in the next year. Right now I'm set up to load .30-'06 and .38 special.

What's the difference in handloading for these two semiauto handgun cartridges? I assume there are more out there reloading for .45 than for 9mm, but even if I should acquire a 9mm (I do, finally, have one in mind) I'd like to be able to handload for it, even if factory ammo is less costly than .45.

Which of the two is easier to handload for?

(Bonus question: What about .380 auto? From a handloading standpoint, is it like a smaller .45, or a 9mm short?)

TIA

Thanks to all for the helpful information.