.380 Auto Dies

blackhawk8 · October 31, 2012, 10:34 AM

Getting ready to reload some .380 Auto.. Could I get some recomendations on some good dies.. Thanks

GlenF · October 31, 2012, 11:03 AM

I use Dillon dies. If you use a progressive press the curved entry into the Dillon dies is a good feature. If you single stage reload that feature would not be important.

Other Dillon features would be they are made of stainless, so rust is not an issue. And the famous Dillon no BS warranty.

I have used other brands in the past, but I really like Dillon stuff. It's blue cool-aid for me.

amamnn · October 31, 2012, 12:59 PM

I could not find any valid reason to spend more money on my .380 die set than would pay for Lee dies. This is not much of a competition cartridge; the only time I ever shot my .380 in a match was a pocket pistol bowling pin comedy. It's not much of a carry gun either.

Sevens · October 31, 2012, 01:01 PM

I've loaded thousands of .380 with the simple 3-die Lee set. For the most part, I've loaded the Berry's 100gr plated flat-base bullet over a charge of Power Pistol or Bullseye. I'd also trust Universal for these. Fine results.

schnarrgj · October 31, 2012, 02:18 PM

Second Sevens. The only difference is that I use 231. Love the Berry 100gr.

FrankenMauser · October 31, 2012, 04:48 PM

Lee expander dies annoy me. Clunk-clunk-kachunk. Clunk-clunk-kachunk. Over, and over, and over.....

But, they get the job done, if you don't want to pay a little more for RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, etc.

hodaka · October 31, 2012, 05:22 PM

I load my .380's, few that I do, with Lee dies.

jcwit · October 31, 2012, 05:29 PM

^^ What he said ^^

tkglazie · October 31, 2012, 06:54 PM

I have loaded 1000s of .380 (95gr LRN and 100gr Berrys HBRN) over N320 on my LCT using the Lee 3 die deluxe set plus a Lee FCD ordered separately. I will certainly never need anything better.

A good .380 makes an excellent carry weapon btw. I trust my life to my Bersa 83 every day and never feel undergunned. Then again, I shoot at least 15-20 rounds thru it 4-5 days a week so we are on pretty good terms...

leadchucker · November 1, 2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

Lee expander dies annoy me. Clunk-clunk-kachunk. Clunk-clunk-kachunk. Over, and over, and over.....

I use a Lee 4 die set for 380. I assume you are referring to the flaring/charging die. I have noticed no "clunk-clunk-kachunk". I have no idea what that means. Could you explain?

wncchester · November 1, 2012, 08:54 AM

I would stick with something from Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Dillon, Redding or RCBS.

Sevens · November 1, 2012, 01:55 PM

The Lee expander die has a floating insert that does the work of actually flaring the case. When you send the brass up in to it, the case mouth pushes the floating insert up until the insert reaches the end of it's travel path. Only then does the insert begin to flare the case mouth.

When you withdrawal the brass case, the first bit offers no resistance while the insert travels to the lower end of it's path. It then meets resistance and pulls itself free from the case as you draw the brass from the die.

It's designed this way to "shake" the insert and ensure that any powder that might have stuck to it or bridged inside the tool is "knocked" free and allowed to fall properly in to the case while the case is still inside the die.

The Lee expander die is designed to run powder directly through it, and Lee branded powder measures can be affixed directly to the top of the die.

The annoying series of CHUNKS and KA-CHUNKS are designed into the tool specifically.

warnerwh · November 1, 2012, 03:47 PM

I like Lee dies fine. They work just as well as my rcbs dies. The Lee dies also come with a shell holder and I think they are the only dies that do.

If you are using a single stage or turret I recommend getting the Lee Pro Powder Measure. This will make things go much quicker as you can charge the case at the same time as belling the mouth.

Sparks1957 · November 1, 2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Clunk-clunk-kachunk

I use a standard 3-die set from Lee for .380, and bought the FC die to go with it. Works beautifully for me, very happy with the results.

leadchucker · November 1, 2012, 06:45 PM

I like the "clunk-clunk-kachunk". That's the sound of ammo going in the box.

October 31, 2012, 10:34 AM	#1
blackhawk8 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Posts: 115	.380 Auto Dies Getting ready to reload some .380 Auto.. Could I get some recomendations on some good dies.. Thanks

October 31, 2012, 11:03 AM	#2
GlenF Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: Monett, Missouri Posts: 98	380 dies I use Dillon dies. If you use a progressive press the curved entry into the Dillon dies is a good feature. If you single stage reload that feature would not be important. Other Dillon features would be they are made of stainless, so rust is not an issue. And the famous Dillon no BS warranty. I have used other brands in the past, but I really like Dillon stuff. It's blue cool-aid for me.

October 31, 2012, 12:59 PM	#3
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I could not find any valid reason to spend more money on my .380 die set than would pay for Lee dies. This is not much of a competition cartridge; the only time I ever shot my .380 in a match was a pocket pistol bowling pin comedy. It's not much of a carry gun either. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

October 31, 2012, 01:01 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I've loaded thousands of .380 with the simple 3-die Lee set. For the most part, I've loaded the Berry's 100gr plated flat-base bullet over a charge of Power Pistol or Bullseye. I'd also trust Universal for these. Fine results. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 31, 2012, 02:18 PM	#5
schnarrgj Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2001 Location: St Louis, Missouri Posts: 167	Second Sevens. The only difference is that I use 231. Love the Berry 100gr. __________________ Once I was young and stupid. Now that I am no longer young-------

October 31, 2012, 04:48 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Lee expander dies annoy me. Clunk-clunk-kachunk. Clunk-clunk-kachunk. Over, and over, and over..... But, they get the job done, if you don't want to pay a little more for RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, etc. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 31, 2012, 05:22 PM	#7
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I load my .380's, few that I do, with Lee dies.

October 31, 2012, 05:29 PM	#8
jcwit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Location: Upper Indiana Posts: 609	^^ What he said ^^ __________________ U.S. Army Veteran NRA Certified Range Officer

October 31, 2012, 06:54 PM	#9
tkglazie Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Posts: 558	I have loaded 1000s of .380 (95gr LRN and 100gr Berrys HBRN) over N320 on my LCT using the Lee 3 die deluxe set plus a Lee FCD ordered separately. I will certainly never need anything better. A good .380 makes an excellent carry weapon btw. I trust my life to my Bersa 83 every day and never feel undergunned. Then again, I shoot at least 15-20 rounds thru it 4-5 days a week so we are on pretty good terms...

November 1, 2012, 08:54 AM	#11
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	I would stick with something from Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Dillon, Redding or RCBS.

November 1, 2012, 01:55 PM	#12
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	The Lee expander die has a floating insert that does the work of actually flaring the case. When you send the brass up in to it, the case mouth pushes the floating insert up until the insert reaches the end of it's travel path. Only then does the insert begin to flare the case mouth. When you withdrawal the brass case, the first bit offers no resistance while the insert travels to the lower end of it's path. It then meets resistance and pulls itself free from the case as you draw the brass from the die. It's designed this way to "shake" the insert and ensure that any powder that might have stuck to it or bridged inside the tool is "knocked" free and allowed to fall properly in to the case while the case is still inside the die. The Lee expander die is designed to run powder directly through it, and Lee branded powder measures can be affixed directly to the top of the die. The annoying series of CHUNKS and KA-CHUNKS are designed into the tool specifically. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 1, 2012, 03:47 PM	#13
warnerwh Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Posts: 329	I like Lee dies fine. They work just as well as my rcbs dies. The Lee dies also come with a shell holder and I think they are the only dies that do. If you are using a single stage or turret I recommend getting the Lee Pro Powder Measure. This will make things go much quicker as you can charge the case at the same time as belling the mouth. __________________ Portland, Or Last edited by warnerwh; November 1, 2012 at 04:31 PM.

November 1, 2012, 06:45 PM	#15
leadchucker Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 252	I like the "clunk-clunk-kachunk". That's the sound of ammo going in the box.