Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Reloading 380 Questions

    I am looking to reload 380 for practice rounds and have a few questions:

    1. Can I use my 9mm: flaring die, bullet seating die, and crimp die for 380?
    2. Anybody using 95gr LCRN for 380? and how successful do they work in a pocket pistol?
    3. Any favorite recipes?

    Thank you in advance for your help!

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Reloading 380 Questions

    Anybody reloading 380??

  3. #3
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    Apolacon Township, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Reloading 380 Questions

    I don't reload .380 and it has been over 20 years since I gave up reloading for 9mm.

    So I just pulled out my copy of Speer #13 (you do have reloading manuals right?) The manual says
    "the .380 requires a tight case neck fit (to avoid bullet set-back on feeding)"
    and since the case mouth diameter of the .380 is 0.373" compared to the 9mm diameter of 0.380" so they are very close. My older Speer #10 manual says the expander ball should not be more than .354" in diameter, which is the same as for 9mm.

    So if you have no other way try the 9mm expander (flaring) die after you check its' diameter, but, keep to flare to the barest possible minimum and use a decent taper crimp.

    Limit the number of rounds you test in this manner to a decent sample size (say 20). Measure every possible dimension and check them with a chamber gage before you actually fire them. Be certain to check them for bullet set-back also i.e. the act of chambering the round pushes the bullet deeper into the case.


    "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities".

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Reloading 380 Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by 22OnUp View Post
    I am looking to reload 380 for practice rounds and have a few questions:

    1. Can I use my 9mm: flaring die, bullet seating die, and crimp die for 380?
    2. Anybody using 95gr LCRN for 380? and how successful do they work in a pocket pistol?
    3. Any favorite recipes?

    Thank you in advance for your help!
    1 - Yes, no, no. You can use the 9mm flare die, but only flare enough to get the bullet started.

    2 - LCRN should function about as well as FMJ ball from a mechanical point of view. As for what it will do on paper, your gun will tell you quite quickly.

    3 - I have used W231 (HP38) and Unique. Both get the job done nicely. If you run a lighter load, you'll have better results with W231. Unique (the powder itself) prefers higher pressure loads (relatively speaking) - it tends to burn cleaner. As for specific charges, I can't help you. I generally load plinking ammo for the pistols, so it's typically a matter of what I feel like loading that day.
    Soap Box - Worn out : Ballot Box - Broken : Jury Box - Pending : Ammunition Box - Unknown

  5. #5
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    Robinson, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Reloading 380 Questions

    I load .380's but I use standard .380 Dies. I never tried the 9mm. I guess you could but then again you can pick up a set of Lee .380 Dies pretty cheap also if you wanted.
    I use a 95gr LCRN and they work great. I have tried a few others but have rested on the LCRN 95gr. The best load I have is:

    Winchester 231 2.4 - 2.7 (I usually get it at 2.5 - 2.6)
    95gr LCRN
    Winchester sm. pistol primers or Federal they both work good.

    This load works great for all of my .380's which includes (to name a few):

    Bersa Thunder
    Remington 51
    CZ-83
    CZ-24
    Beretta 1934
    Mauser HSc

    and on and on :-) I have about 12 or more .380's and this load works great in all. It is a nice accurate round and not a lot of snap from it so its great for a long day at the range :-).

    Hope this helps you.

  6. #6
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    Chambersburg PA (Pure Appalachia), Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Reloading 380 Questions

    I cast for my 380's, and i use the Lyman #356242bullet, cast to 92 grains, lubed with alox/beeswax, sized .357, and 2.5 gr Bullseye. They work fine for me. I do use 380 dies, though, and I have never even thought of trying it with the 9x19 set.

    Flash
    "The life unexamined is not worth living." ....... Socrates

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Reloading 380 Questions

    Thank you all for the input!

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