9mm dies to load 380 auto

[roysha]

Is this a good idea? I see that HOR has a die set that is marked for all three of the 9MMs and also a separate set for 380. Why the difference?

[beshears]

No, 380 case head smaller than 9mm. .374 vs .392

[Der Gebirgsjager]

You can probably size them with the correct shell holder, but when it comes to flaring the case mouth or seating and crimping the 9mm Luger dies will most likely prove to be too long to get the job done.

DG

[crandall crank]

You will have to "cobble something together" in order to load the entire round. I found it's better to buy the correct tool.

[hades]

If you have a manual look at the SAAMI spec drawings of both. 9mm is a tapered case and 380 is basically a straight case, (0.001 of taper).


If civilization ended and that's all you had could probably kinda make it work with alot of swearing and inappropriately sized rounds that may or may not jam the gun.


In real life I'd just go buy the correct size die.

[farmbif]

two different cartridges. its not like 40 s&w and 10mm, or 38spl and 357 mag. maybe if they are mild loads and the spent brass will fit back in the chamber you might be able to flare mouth and seat and crimp with 9mm seat crimp die. only way to tell is to try one with the dies you have. they both use the same diameter projectiles. same shell holder as 223 rem

[pworley1]

I use a 380 seat die to seat and crimp my 9mm rounds, but you would have to have the proper sizing die to full length resize.

[n9tkf]

I use Hornady 546515 9mm dies and a Hornady 046516 380 full length sizing die. Only had to buy the 380 sizing die and the rest of the 9 mm dies are the same. YMMV with other die manufacturers. Loaded 1000's of 380 rounds and all went bang. No feeding issues in a Smith 380.

[jmorris]

With my brass sorter, 380 falls out with .223, before 9mm drops into it’s bin.

This would make it impossible for a 9mm size die to put a 380 case back where it started, it’s for a larger case.

[country gent]

I beleive when I first started loading 380 I used a 223 sizing die to size them. Ypu might even get away with the slightly bigger seater die

[roysha]

Well, to make life simple, I just purchased a 380 die set.

[GONRA]

GONRA sez - listen to roysha ....

[Smoke4320]

Well, to make life simple, I just purchased a 380 die set.

Good move . saves a lot of hassle

[jmorris]

GONRA sez - listen to roysha ....

He’s the one that had the question to begin with, it was his solution.