380/9MM loading block

woodman45 · September 9, 2011, 10:12 AM

Does anyone know of a loading block that shallow enough to hold 380/9MM cases and still have enough case showing to set a powder funnel on it. I have several so called universal blocks. The case sets so deep that when I dump powder in the funnel it goes around the case, because the funnel is setting on the block not the case.

dickttx · September 9, 2011, 10:34 AM

That is a real problem with 9mm. I believe it is Springfield Armory that makes a caliber specific loading block for the 9mm.
Sometimes the reversible blocks have slots on the back side for 9mm also.

aarondhgraham · September 9, 2011, 11:03 AM

A small block of 2x4 and a drill bit would make a new one for you.

Aarond

Jim Watson · September 9, 2011, 12:10 PM

I have a wooden block marked "3" that will let me load 9mm and .380 (just barely) with my old Pacific aluminum funnel.
A plastic RCBS is nowhere close.
You could grind that type of funnel shorter and make it work.

But then I don't load that way.

MADISON · September 9, 2011, 12:15 PM

This is as good way to start as any...
Go to Google and type in 380/9mm loading block.

I know MidwayUSA has individual caliber plastic loading blocks for about $7.00.

oneounceload · September 9, 2011, 12:40 PM

Midway used to sell wooden ones made by a guy in Idaho; then they took his idea and had plastic ones made in China - if they are still selling them, the one for 9mm had a shallow cut so your funnel would work without spilling

chris in va · September 9, 2011, 03:00 PM

I had to cut down my powder funnel. Just a $2 Lee so no big loss.

CherokeeT · September 10, 2011, 07:20 PM

I made my own with drill press and drill.

oldreloader · September 10, 2011, 09:25 PM

I like this one
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=125282

RKG · September 11, 2011, 08:39 PM

1) As others have done, I've made my own loading block for .380s.

2) However, I would caution against dropping powder into cases while they are in a loading block, as my read of the OP's question implies. This is a good way to double charge.

My routine is to take cases from a box to my left, one at a time. I invert the case and tap it gently on the bench. I then drop powder into the case and put the case into the loading block.

armoredman · September 11, 2011, 10:14 PM

I pull cases out and charge them one at a time under the powder dispenser, but that's just me.

oneounceload · September 11, 2011, 10:18 PM

With my RCBS Uniflow measure, I can do an entire block in a few seconds - never had a double charge in over 30 years - start with one row, then the next, etc.

medalguy · September 12, 2011, 10:04 PM

I went to Home Depot and bought some 4 inch wide x 12 inch long poplar that was about 3/8 inch thick, also a piece 3/4 inch thick. I bored 50 holes in the 3/8 thick piece and then glued it to the 3/4 inch piece, presto, loading block. Poplar is hard enough that it drills nicely if you have a sharp drill, and doesn't splinter. Sand lightly and glue the two pieces together. I've been using mine for 380, 9mm, 9mm Mak, and other small calibers for years. I think I paid about two bucks for the wood.

September 9, 2011, 10:12 AM	#1
woodman45 Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: Polk city, FL Posts: 25	380/9MM loading block Does anyone know of a loading block that shallow enough to hold 380/9MM cases and still have enough case showing to set a powder funnel on it. I have several so called universal blocks. The case sets so deep that when I dump powder in the funnel it goes around the case, because the funnel is setting on the block not the case. Last edited by woodman45; September 9, 2011 at 10:14 AM. Reason: spelling

September 9, 2011, 10:34 AM	#2
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	That is a real problem with 9mm. I believe it is Springfield Armory that makes a caliber specific loading block for the 9mm. Sometimes the reversible blocks have slots on the back side for 9mm also. __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

September 9, 2011, 11:03 AM	#3
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Do you own a drill? A small block of 2x4 and a drill bit would make a new one for you. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 9, 2011, 12:15 PM	#5
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	A 380/9mm loading block This is as good way to start as any... Go to Google and type in 380/9mm loading block. I know MidwayUSA has individual caliber plastic loading blocks for about $7.00.

September 10, 2011, 07:20 PM	#8
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	I made my own with drill press and drill. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS

September 9, 2011, 12:10 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,546	I have a wooden block marked "3" that will let me load 9mm and .380 (just barely) with my old Pacific aluminum funnel. A plastic RCBS is nowhere close. You could grind that type of funnel shorter and make it work. But then I don't load that way.

September 9, 2011, 12:40 PM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Midway used to sell wooden ones made by a guy in Idaho; then they took his idea and had plastic ones made in China - if they are still selling them, the one for 9mm had a shallow cut so your funnel would work without spilling

September 9, 2011, 03:00 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I had to cut down my powder funnel. Just a $2 Lee so no big loss.

September 10, 2011, 09:25 PM	#9
oldreloader Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 251	I like this one http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=125282

September 11, 2011, 08:39 PM	#10
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	1) As others have done, I've made my own loading block for .380s. 2) However, I would caution against dropping powder into cases while they are in a loading block, as my read of the OP's question implies. This is a good way to double charge. My routine is to take cases from a box to my left, one at a time. I invert the case and tap it gently on the bench. I then drop powder into the case and put the case into the loading block.

September 11, 2011, 10:14 PM	#11
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	I pull cases out and charge them one at a time under the powder dispenser, but that's just me.

September 11, 2011, 10:18 PM	#12
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	With my RCBS Uniflow measure, I can do an entire block in a few seconds - never had a double charge in over 30 years - start with one row, then the next, etc.

September 12, 2011, 10:04 PM	#13
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	I went to Home Depot and bought some 4 inch wide x 12 inch long poplar that was about 3/8 inch thick, also a piece 3/4 inch thick. I bored 50 holes in the 3/8 thick piece and then glued it to the 3/4 inch piece, presto, loading block. Poplar is hard enough that it drills nicely if you have a sharp drill, and doesn't splinter. Sand lightly and glue the two pieces together. I've been using mine for 380, 9mm, 9mm Mak, and other small calibers for years. I think I paid about two bucks for the wood.