9mm and 38SPL dies use same seater plugs?

Halo · February 2, 2002, 07:43 PM

I don't know why I never gave much consideration to this until now, but my RCBS 9mm die set came with two seater plugs. One is marked "9mm TMJ" and the other one is marked "38SPL RN".

Initially I just assumed they used the same round nose seater since the bullet diameters are within a couple thousandths for the two calibers, but now I am wondering if maybe someone in the store mixed up seater plugs while looking through the dies. The only reason I am wondering about this is because I seem to get a lot of 9mm rounds with the bullet slightly canted despite my best efforts. Maybe that's because the 38SPL seater plug isn't the right one to use?

dick w. holliday · February 2, 2002, 10:36 PM

i load 38-357-9mm-38 super and pretty much use which ever seater out of the bunch seems to fit the best ---no ill effects that i've noticed......Dick

Johnny Guest · February 3, 2002, 12:52 AM

I use seater stems interchangably for .38 Spl/.38 S&W/.357 mag/.380 ACP/9x19 mm. But I apply crimp with a separate die.

Best,
Johnny

Bill Adair · February 3, 2002, 03:43 AM

And to further muddy the waters, one of my RCBS seater plugs says 38/9 RN!

Bill

Halo · February 3, 2002, 12:57 PM

Thanks for the replies. I guess I am to blame for the canted bullets after all

.

I guess I should look to the amount of case flaring as a possible cause. I flare it enough to just accept the bullet. On the other hand I was using a Lee shell holder previously, don't know if that could lead to problems, but I have replaced it with a RCBS shell holder now.

C.R.Sam · February 3, 2002, 01:57 PM

Whatever punch fits the nose of YOUR bullets is the right one. regardless of what is stamped on the punch.

You might be on the right track with shellholder change, Settin em in straight when loading is a biggie also.

Sam

February 2, 2002, 07:43 PM	#1
Halo Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 408	9mm and 38SPL dies use same seater plugs? I don't know why I never gave much consideration to this until now, but my RCBS 9mm die set came with two seater plugs. One is marked "9mm TMJ" and the other one is marked "38SPL RN". Initially I just assumed they used the same round nose seater since the bullet diameters are within a couple thousandths for the two calibers, but now I am wondering if maybe someone in the store mixed up seater plugs while looking through the dies. The only reason I am wondering about this is because I seem to get a lot of 9mm rounds with the bullet slightly canted despite my best efforts. Maybe that's because the 38SPL seater plug isn't the right one to use?

February 3, 2002, 12:52 AM	#3
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Same here - - - I use seater stems interchangably for .38 Spl/.38 S&W/.357 mag/.380 ACP/9x19 mm. But I apply crimp with a separate die. Best, Johnny

February 2, 2002, 10:36 PM	#2
dick w. holliday Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 589	i load 38-357-9mm-38 super and pretty much use which ever seater out of the bunch seems to fit the best ---no ill effects that i've noticed......Dick

February 3, 2002, 03:43 AM	#4
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	And to further muddy the waters, one of my RCBS seater plugs says 38/9 RN! Bill

February 3, 2002, 12:57 PM	#5
Halo Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 408	Thanks for the replies. I guess I am to blame for the canted bullets after all . I guess I should look to the amount of case flaring as a possible cause. I flare it enough to just accept the bullet. On the other hand I was using a Lee shell holder previously, don't know if that could lead to problems, but I have replaced it with a RCBS shell holder now.

February 3, 2002, 01:57 PM	#6
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Whatever punch fits the nose of YOUR bullets is the right one. regardless of what is stamped on the punch. You might be on the right track with shellholder change, Settin em in straight when loading is a biggie also. Sam