38 Super

Brutus · November 1, 2015, 09:46 AM

Can 9mm dies be used to reload 38Super?

g.willikers · November 1, 2015, 12:43 PM

Not really.
9mms are tapered and .38 supers are straight walls, and, of course longer.
Full length resizing wouldn't be possible.
The shell holders are close but different, too, due to the semi-rim of the .38.

g.willikers · November 1, 2015, 12:49 PM

P.S.
Here's a neat chart comparing 9mm cartridges from around the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_mm_caliber

Nick_C_S · November 1, 2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

and .38 supers are straight walls

Learn something every day.

Brutus · November 1, 2015, 01:05 PM

Thanks for the info. Don't own one but have been contemplating.
Guess I'll have to add the cost of dies to my considerations.

g.willikers · November 1, 2015, 04:16 PM

If the goal is more power than the 9mm delivers, check out the 9mm Major loads as used in competition.
They come real close to the 38 super loads with 9mm.
That's not a recommendation, just something for curious minds.

Clark · November 1, 2015, 06:36 PM

Quote:

g.willikers
Here's a neat chart comparing 9mm cartridges from around the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_mm_caliber

I made my own smaller chart out of frustration.... did not know there was one.

Checking the brass base size my measurement vs the chart
9x19mm 0.389" [0.391" chart]
9mmSuper comp 0.385" [0.384" chart]
9x23mm 0.387" [0.392" chart]
9mmMag 0.388" [0.392" chart]

Quote:

g.willikers If the goal is more power than the 9mm delivers, check out the 9mm Major loads as used in competition.

I can't tell you how many emails I get from guys who want me to ream out their 9x19 Tokarev to 9x23 so they can load the hot handloads.
I try to tell them that 9x19 can make more recoil then you can handle with any slide and recoil spring combination they have.
The 380 can make more recoil with handloads than any slide mass and recoil spring combination you can present.
Maybe some gunsmith has converted the massive slide Desert Eagle to 380, and it can take 380 full power without the slide hammering the frame, but I doubt it.

158 gr bullets and Power Pistol powder in the 380 or 9x19 can just about break my wrist in a work up.

TimSr · November 4, 2015, 10:03 AM

Are there any semi-auto dies that can be used for more then one specified round? A while back I tried to do .380 with 9mm and case never touched the resizing die before the press ran out of travel space. Just curious if anybody knows of any that can serve double duty.

Clark · November 4, 2015, 11:08 AM

I am measuring 380:
0.373" base diameter on brass
0.380 [taper] 0.383" pin gauges go into the chamber of P3AT
0.367" Lee 380 carbide sizer die go with pin gauge

I am measuring 9mm:
0.369 [taper] 0.381" Lee carbide sizer die go with pin gauges

I am saying:
9mm dies may work sorta sometimes in some 380, but don't do it for a self defense gun.

TimSr · November 4, 2015, 11:38 AM

With my RCBS 9mm resizing die, the shell plate in the press was butted up against the bottom of the die, and the .380 brass wasn't even starting to engage to resizing process.

Kosh75287 · November 4, 2015, 01:48 PM

I sure THOUGHT there were certain 9mm cartridges that could be reloaded with the same dies, but I guess not. About the only thing I'm sure of, is that sometimes the shell holders will interchange or nearly so.

November 1, 2015, 09:46 AM	#1
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	38 Super Can 9mm dies be used to reload 38Super? __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

November 1, 2015, 12:43 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Not really. 9mms are tapered and .38 supers are straight walls, and, of course longer. Full length resizing wouldn't be possible. The shell holders are close but different, too, due to the semi-rim of the .38. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 1, 2015, 12:49 PM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	P.S. Here's a neat chart comparing 9mm cartridges from around the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_mm_caliber __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 1, 2015, 01:05 PM	#5
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Thanks for the info. Don't own one but have been contemplating. Guess I'll have to add the cost of dies to my considerations. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

November 1, 2015, 04:16 PM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	If the goal is more power than the 9mm delivers, check out the 9mm Major loads as used in competition. They come real close to the 38 super loads with 9mm. That's not a recommendation, just something for curious minds. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.” Last edited by g.willikers; November 1, 2015 at 04:28 PM.

November 4, 2015, 10:03 AM	#8
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	Are there any semi-auto dies that can be used for more then one specified round? A while back I tried to do .380 with 9mm and case never touched the resizing die before the press ran out of travel space. Just curious if anybody knows of any that can serve double duty.

November 4, 2015, 11:08 AM	#9
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I am measuring 380: 0.373" base diameter on brass 0.380 [taper] 0.383" pin gauges go into the chamber of P3AT 0.367" Lee 380 carbide sizer die go with pin gauge I am measuring 9mm: 0.369 [taper] 0.381" Lee carbide sizer die go with pin gauges I am saying: 9mm dies may work sorta sometimes in some 380, but don't do it for a self defense gun. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

November 4, 2015, 11:38 AM	#10
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	With my RCBS 9mm resizing die, the shell plate in the press was butted up against the bottom of the die, and the .380 brass wasn't even starting to engage to resizing process.

November 4, 2015, 01:48 PM	#11
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	I sure THOUGHT there were certain 9mm cartridges that could be reloaded with the same dies, but I guess not. About the only thing I'm sure of, is that sometimes the shell holders will interchange or nearly so. __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!