Dumb Q...Can I reload 380 with 9mm dies ?

P

PDshooter

New member
Just pick-up RM380 today. Ammo cost more then 9mm. :o Can you reload 380s with 9mm dies. I've got 9mm dies already...Any advise would be great....Thanks...

I know just spend the $40-$50 and buy 380 dies.;)
 
Iirc, the size die is completely wrong as well.

If you have Amazon prime, as you should, you can get them with free shipping, that's a huge savings. Lee are $33, hornady are $43, and Rcbs are $45.
 
Btw, I seem to be getting pretty good results with accurate 2. That powder is very bulky, so any charge errors will be far easier to spot than with a dense powder.

One of the reasons that I like accurate 2 is that you just can't double charge small cases, and in larger cases, a double is unmistakable. A double in nine practically spills over, in a .380 it almost reaches the top.
 
At least you can use the same bullets and primers... :) I've found that the .380 takes a bit more load development than other calibers to get the pressure just right for proper cycling of the action when compared to 9mm and .45 ACP...

Tony
 
I've found that the .380 takes a bit more load development than other calibers to get the pressure just right for proper cycling of the action when compared to 9mm and .45 ACP...
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Pressure has nothing to do with cycling. It's the recoil force produced by the powder charge weight and bullet velocity that cycles a semiauto.
 
74A95 said:
Pressure has nothing to do with cycling. It's the recoil force produced by the powder charge weight and bullet velocity that cycles a semiauto.
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Not that it has anything to do with the original question, but the bullet velocity is directly correlated to the pressure which is also directly correlated to the powder charge weight. Without pressure there would be no velocity, no cycling of the action, no recoil force, no bullet down the bore.
 
I think the OP was "can I reload 380 with 9mmP dies?". The 380 ACP is shorter and smaller in dia. than the 9mm and the 9mm has .011" taper in the OD. 9mm; .380" at mouth, .391" at head, 380, .373" at mouth and .374" at head. Length of the 9mm is about .074" longer than the 380. Too different to get quality ammo. Shop around for die sets, Lee 380 dies run around $30.00 (but I can't recommend the FCD)...

FWIW; would there be any recoil without chamber pressure pushing a bullet out the barrel? :rolleyes:
 
I know just spend the $40-$50 and buy 380 dies.
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Well, yes. As mikld said, the dimensions are different. Although the .380 ACP is called 9 mm short in some languages, it is an entirely different cartridge.
 
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