reloading 380 auto

[appalachainamerican]

I was just getting started loading 380's, and have run into a problem. After sizing and decapping, I started with the expander die. The problem here is that the brass buckles slightly when I expand enough to start a cast bullet. Has anyone else had this problem? More importantly, Does anyone have a solution?
I am not new to reloading, load for several calibers, and have for years. But never for the 380. The price has gone up on them around here so much that I could save a great deal if I can load em myself. Thank y'all in advance for your input.

 

[rondog]

I haven't had any buckle. Using the right size bullets?

 

[faire bien de...!]

Yeah, I don't know. The only think I can think of is that maybe your over expanding it to the point where the brass is getting crushed a bit. You only need a very slight expansion to get the bullets started in the case. Try adjusting your die so your getting just the slightest belling on the case mouth. What brand dies and brass are you working with?

 

[appalachainamerican]

not overexpanding, some of the brass isn't expanded enough to start bullet, but is buckling. I have only tried about twenty or so. brass is assorted. Have noticed that the blaser brass is the worst while the winchester brass or pmc not so bad, some of them didn't buckle at all. I am using one shot spray lube on the neck, may try some unique or something. But it is good to hear that it is possible to load for this cartridge. I'll keep tryin. Have a new set of lyman carbide dies hate to shelf em.

 

[high_caliber]

You will have this problem with brass that has headstamps for Blazer, Federal, "I" (Independence), and Speer. If you will look inside these cases, you will see a "rim" built up at about the distance where the base of the bullet would be when seated. It is my guess that the rim is there to prevent the bullet from setback for whatever reason. The .380 cannot tolerate the spike in pressure caused by bullet setback. I have used the expander die on these cases by barely inserting it into the case mouth. It will expand the case enough to seat a bullet. Pay attention to the OAL when you load .380 catridges for safety's sake.

 

[ljnowell]

It could in fact be the brass. I would try to get ahold of some winchester or something of the like and trying it. I have noticed that the CCI brass that I have behaves different than all others. I especially dont like the loose primer pockets. If I had my druthers I would only load winchester brass, its my favorite.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

does the 'buckling' occur when you are expanding or seating the slugs?

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Take a look at the position of your shellplate relative to your dies. I had some crushing issues when I first started loading .380. Turns out the cases weren't being inserted all the way into the shellplate, so they would just nick the edge of the sizing die or the expander before aligning properly and going in. While it wouldn't always visually damage the case when it happened, the next stage would crush the case. A few little tweaks to the press fixed it.

 

[appalachainamerican]

Just tried some more, and it is what high caiber said, the cases aren't really buckling, but the first stage of the expander is causing the case to bulge out where the interior rim is. not sure how to fix this, as the first stage of the expander is rather long. Maybe I can cut off the first stage some and fix

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

you should try to set the expander die up to just barely expand the needed amount at the end of the ram stroke.
also check the expander button it may be rough finish which a polishing wheel and compound can slick up nicely if you have one. I had to do that on my Lee powder-thru-expander die.
I should add that the .380 is one of 2 cartridges I've been loading for the longest.
3 of my sisters and my 3 nephews wives all have .380acp pistols and I load their 'premium' rounds for them. just lately I had to scrounge primers and slugs to load some extra rounds for them as they got bitten by the 'panic' bug too.

 

[rondog]

Just tried some more, and it is what high caiber said, the cases aren't really buckling, but the first stage of the expander is causing the case to bulge out where the interior rim is. not sure how to fix this, as the first stage of the expander is rather long. Maybe I can cut off the first stage some and fix

What brand of dies?

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe I can cut off the first stage some and fix

That or change brass brand is your only option.

The expander button is very hard, and you likely can't cut it with a file or something.

Might need to send it back to Lyman for mod if you don't have some way to accurately grind a step down on it.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

You can chuck it up in something and use a stone and sandpaper to do it, but like rcmodel posted, it would be tough to do accurately.

 

[MikeS.]

Double check your bullet diameter. Make sure they are .355 not .357. Don't do like I did when I started with .380...

 

[pistol shooter]

loading .380

I just went thru the same thing loading .380. I asked the folks at RCBS since I am using their dies. It seems that some of the brass that I was using had a dot or star before and after the brand name head stamp. That brass would buckle as you described. When I used brass without the dots, it worked fine. Something about the taper on the inside of the cases.

 

[appalachainamerican]

thank you all for your help, I think I'll try to shorten the expander's first stage. A friend of mine is a tool and die maker, has his own machine shop. I'm betting he can do something for me. I hate to have to cull any brass lol. I'll let y'all know how it comes out.