Trouble reloading .380 auto 2

[ak_glen]

I decided to start all over. I took one piece of three different one fired brass and measured them at different steps of the process;
----------- --------- Fired ---- Resized ----loaded -LRN ----------Hornady 90gr XTP
Federal------------ .357 ---- .371 ------------- .374 ----------- .374
PMC---------------- .377 ---- .371 ------------- .374 ----------- .3735
RP------------------ .374 ---- .371 ------------- .373 ----------- .373

I picked up the only other bullets I could find, HMS 100 gr. round nose hard-cast @ .356 but I measured a handful at .357.
I did not use the Lee FCD. All bullets cycled through the weapon with no problems.
The lead round nose had sufficient tension and the bullet would not budge when pressed against the bench. The 90 grain XTP’s though did not have sufficient tension and could pretty easily be pushed into the case.
Since my resizing die sizes the cases to .371, should it actually size the brass down smaller? Hey, at least I can load up and fire those lead bullets for practice!
Thanks,
Glen

 

[Walkalong]

Load a few jacketed bullets without using the expander. If neck tension is good, then the expander is to big. Polish it down. If neck tension is still poor, contact the maker of the sizer.

 

[rfwobbly]

Remington (RP) cases are usually thinner brass. Typically .001" per wall, which is a total of .002" across the diameter. Since your sizing die works on the outside of the brass, the case mouth inside diameter is going to start off .002" larger than most others. That alone can make for loose bullets.

Then, as Walkalong said, the expander can also be over sized and expand the mouth too much. A right-sized expander should be around .353" and the surface should be glass smooth. You can polish or reduce the diameter easily by spinning the expanded in a drill press and applying 600 grit emery cloth.

 

[HOWARD J]

I use Hornady dies for .380 auto
I have no problem with XTP bullets or any other bullet

 

[rtpzwms]

You didn't state which die you are using. But I use Lee die for 380 and have no problems with any bullet. I think you might want to look very carefully at the adjustment of the bullet seat die. If it is a Lee die it will seat and crimp in the one operation. You may have to adjust the die body deeper and backout the bullet seat at the same time. It can be touchy until you nail it. It is much easier with the FCD.