380 Load Problem

Overkill777 · June 20, 2015, 10:39 PM

I just got a Lee Die Set for 380 and loaded up some a quantity of 100 using magtech 95 grain bullets. I put a very mild flare on the cases. Upon seating I thought it felt like it took very little force. Upon inspection I realized there's very little case neck tension. So little that I can fairly easily push the bullet deeper into the case with my fingers. A crimp didn't seem to help. I realize this could cause a dangerous situation with over pressurization and quarantined these rounds immediately.

I'm not sure what is wrong, did I get a bad set of dies?

Edit: I forgot to say, this was on random once fired range brass that I have been accumulating. Brand of brass did not seem to matter.

745SW · June 20, 2015, 11:10 PM

Depending on the press it will spring not allowing full sizing of the case. Make sure the die goes down to the case holder. Also case wall thickness at the mouth varies with brand of case.

joneb · June 20, 2015, 11:15 PM

It would seem your sizing die is not re-sizing? What brass are you using?

noylj · June 20, 2015, 11:17 PM

If you properly full-length sized the cases, you shouldn't have this problem.
Also, you should always do a push test on every seated bullet before your crimp. Crimp on a case that head-spaces on the case mouth is ONLY to remove the case mouth flare and has almost nothing to do with holding the bullet.
1) disassemble every case where the bullet can be pushed in. Inspect the bullets for crimp damage and bullet OD and compare to "virgin" bullets. Bullets pulled from a round should look and be the same size as they were when they went in the case.
2) size a case and try to place a bullet in it. If the bullet won't go in, sizing is OK. You can also measure the case ID and bullet OD to be sure that there is at least a 0.004" difference.
3) expand and flare a case. If the bullet can be pushed into the case, the expander may be too large. The expanded case ID (not the case mouth flare) should be 0.001-0.002" smaller than bullet OD.
4) seat a bullet and do a push test. If OK, go on. If it fails, go back and check your expander again as something is wrong.
5) crimp. Can you now push the bullet in the case? IF so, you are WAY over crimping and damaging the bullet. All you want is the case mouth flare to be reduced to the point where the case just drops in the barrel with a "plunk" sound.

Overkill777 · June 21, 2015, 01:12 PM

All different kinds of brass.

After just sizing, about 90% of the cases can have the bullets pushed in with fingers.

joneb · June 21, 2015, 07:59 PM

Assuming your sizing die is within spec and your bullets are the proper diameter, I would have a look at the expander die. I have decreased the diameter on a few of these for more case tension on the bullet, I have two expander plugs for certain cartridges one is smaller than other for greater neck tension.

Jim243 · June 21, 2015, 11:39 PM

I know this may sound stupid, but are they really 380 brass?

There are various different 9 mm's out there, Markoff, Browning, Luger and others. What may look like one type could be another. Often when re-loading 9mm Luger I will find a 380 case (9mm Browning) or two mixed in with my brass. The cases are such that you really do not need to flare the mouths to seat the bullet. That could be a cause as well.

Since you can push the bullet in with your finger, I would tear them down and re-size then again without the case mouth being flared.

Good luck and stay safe.
Jim

9mm Luger is a slightly tapered case, 9mm Browning (380 Auto) is a straight walled case. Also make sure your die set is marked 380 Auto!!.

June 20, 2015, 10:39 PM	#1
Overkill777 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Posts: 267	380 Load Problem I just got a Lee Die Set for 380 and loaded up some a quantity of 100 using magtech 95 grain bullets. I put a very mild flare on the cases. Upon seating I thought it felt like it took very little force. Upon inspection I realized there's very little case neck tension. So little that I can fairly easily push the bullet deeper into the case with my fingers. A crimp didn't seem to help. I realize this could cause a dangerous situation with over pressurization and quarantined these rounds immediately. I'm not sure what is wrong, did I get a bad set of dies? Edit: I forgot to say, this was on random once fired range brass that I have been accumulating. Brand of brass did not seem to matter.

June 21, 2015, 11:39 PM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	I know this may sound stupid, but are they really 380 brass? There are various different 9 mm's out there, Markoff, Browning, Luger and others. What may look like one type could be another. Often when re-loading 9mm Luger I will find a 380 case (9mm Browning) or two mixed in with my brass. The cases are such that you really do not need to flare the mouths to seat the bullet. That could be a cause as well. Since you can push the bullet in with your finger, I would tear them down and re-size then again without the case mouth being flared. Good luck and stay safe. Jim 9mm Luger is a slightly tapered case, 9mm Browning (380 Auto) is a straight walled case. Also make sure your die set is marked 380 Auto!!. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum Last edited by Jim243; June 22, 2015 at 12:16 AM.

June 20, 2015, 11:10 PM	#2
745SW Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2011 Location: California Posts: 776	Depending on the press it will spring not allowing full sizing of the case. Make sure the die goes down to the case holder. Also case wall thickness at the mouth varies with brand of case.

June 20, 2015, 11:15 PM	#3
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	It would seem your sizing die is not re-sizing? What brass are you using?

June 20, 2015, 11:17 PM	#4
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 858	If you properly full-length sized the cases, you shouldn't have this problem. Also, you should always do a push test on every seated bullet before your crimp. Crimp on a case that head-spaces on the case mouth is ONLY to remove the case mouth flare and has almost nothing to do with holding the bullet. 1) disassemble every case where the bullet can be pushed in. Inspect the bullets for crimp damage and bullet OD and compare to "virgin" bullets. Bullets pulled from a round should look and be the same size as they were when they went in the case. 2) size a case and try to place a bullet in it. If the bullet won't go in, sizing is OK. You can also measure the case ID and bullet OD to be sure that there is at least a 0.004" difference. 3) expand and flare a case. If the bullet can be pushed into the case, the expander may be too large. The expanded case ID (not the case mouth flare) should be 0.001-0.002" smaller than bullet OD. 4) seat a bullet and do a push test. If OK, go on. If it fails, go back and check your expander again as something is wrong. 5) crimp. Can you now push the bullet in the case? IF so, you are WAY over crimping and damaging the bullet. All you want is the case mouth flare to be reduced to the point where the case just drops in the barrel with a "plunk" sound.

June 21, 2015, 01:12 PM	#5
Overkill777 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Posts: 267	All different kinds of brass. After just sizing, about 90% of the cases can have the bullets pushed in with fingers.

June 21, 2015, 07:59 PM	#6
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	Assuming your sizing die is within spec and your bullets are the proper diameter, I would have a look at the expander die. I have decreased the diameter on a few of these for more case tension on the bullet, I have two expander plugs for certain cartridges one is smaller than other for greater neck tension.