Using 9mm dies to load .380 auto

[Furncliff]

My wife started shooting more than she was since she got a Bersa Thunder .380. So it's time for me to start reloading .380. I'll be reloading soft shooting practice ammo.

I reload 9mm using Hornady dies, except for a Redding taper crimp die, but I have a second set of 9mm dies made by Lee. Perhaps I could use these for .380?

What are the pros and cons of going this route.

Thanks

Tom

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The sizer die won't work. 380 is a straight wall case, 9mm is tapered. I have full set for both, that way I don't have to readjust anything.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You'll need both a shell holder and die set to load .380 acp. Your 9x19 dies won't work. The only commonality between them is they both use .355" diameter bullets and small pistol primers.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ROAshooter]

what reloaderfred said

 

[TimSr]

Been there, tried that, .380 case doesn't even tough the resizer before shell holder bottoms out.

 

[Rule3]

My wife started shooting more than she was since she got a Bersa Thunder .380. So it's time for me to start reloading .380. I'll be reloading soft shooting practice ammo.

I reload 9mm using Hornady dies, except for a Redding taper crimp die, but I have a second set of 9mm dies made by Lee. Perhaps I could use these for .380?

What are the pros and cons of going this route.

Thanks

Tom

There are no "pros", as mentioned above you need 380 dies.

 

[Furncliff]

thanks for the replies, new dies on order,

tom

 

[Rule3]

And to save you time and another post, be sure to have the brass aligned properly and resize slowly as those thin little cases crush very easily!

 

[Trek]

And to save you time and another post, be sure to have the brass aligned properly and resize slowly as those thin little cases crush very easily!

This sounds like the voice of experience

 

[Arkansas Paul]

thanks for the replies, new dies on order,

tom

Don't feel bad friend. I thought the same thing.
My brother bought a .380 and I was like, "Sweet. You can just use my 9mm dies." Nope.

 

[BBQJOE]

I did a few hundred rounds today of 9mm.
I had one case come around and it looked a little full, and the bullet wouldn't sit right before the seating station, and for the life of me, and I don't have any idea where it came from, but it was a .380.
It might have come in a batch of once fired brass that I bought.