.380ACP Pistols & Recoil

+1 on the Colt Mustang and its near clone, the Sig P238 if you can live with a single actionDon't forget that both are clones of the Star Model DK.
Sometimes it's not just the size and weight of the pistol that matters, but also the shape of the frame and whether it's a locked breech or blowback design.Exactly. The similar LCP, TCP, and P3AT are locked-breech but are so small and light that recoil is still quite pronounced. The likewise similar Mustang, P238, and DK are also locked-breech, but are a bit bigger and heavier, which makes a difference.

Most larger .380's are blowback, giving them pronounced recoil. The only somewhat commonplace* larger .380's that are locked-breech are the Kahr P380, Ruger LC380, and Walther PK380 (along with the upcoming Beretta Pico). These are theoretically the softest-shooting of the bunch. Of these four, I've only personally shot the PK380, which I hesitate to recommend for several reasons I've discussed in other threads, but I concede that it is extremely soft-shooting.

*Two minor footnotes: (a) the Star Model S and SS are also locked-breech but I don't consider them commonplace; and (b) a number of shooters seem to believe that the Beretta 81-series are locked-breech because the barrel is removed during field-stripping, but this is erroneous- the barrel is locked in place by the takedown latch and remains stationary during the firing cycle, and this fact can be readily verified by observing the barrel while hand-cycling the slide.

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Reloading 380acp with lee dies

Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013Posts5

Having a little trouble getting enough case flare to accept the Mastercast 95 lrn bullets I purchased. I followed the instructions that came with the dies by setting the die to touch the shell holder then backing off 1 full turn. I could not get the bullet to begin seating when inserting by hand so I lowered the die 1/8 turn at a time and tested. Now at 1/2 turn lowered and the flare does not seem any wider and cannot seat the bullet base into top of the flared case by hand. Should I continue to lower the die or are the bullets too large in diameter? I am concerened about cramming the bullet into the case.
I am going to buy a set of digital calipers this afternoon and will post bullet and case dimensions after I measure. In the mean time, I would appreciate any input you folks can provide.

Last edited by James6406; Yesterday at 08:38 AM. Reason: Typo

once you have the die adjusted place a case in the shell holder and raise the ram and test the flare, if it is not enough flare then turn the knurled top down a half turn and test again until you get the flare just right. once the die body is set do not turn it any more. easy to do not so easy to explain.

Does the ram still go to the top of the stroke without any real force on it? If it doesn't the end of the expander may be bottoming inside the case. I had that happen on something I was trying to load and before I realized what was going on I had managed to swage the flash holes, on a few cases, just about closed. If the ram goes fully up without much force (read that as "almost none") screw the expander a little at a time, as has already been mentioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPWM36_ZuLk
Here is a video showing how to adjust an expander die. It shows an RCBS die, but the process is the same. The Lee die has a silver knurled knob on top that you use to adjust the expander. You don't move the whole die to adjust the expansion.

Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013Posts5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPWM36_ZuLk
Here is a video showing how to adjust an expander die. It shows an RCBS die, but the process is the same. The Lee die has a silver knurled knob on top that you use to adjust the expander. You don't move the whole die to adjust the expansion.Thanks! I feel stupid but the Lee instructions said nothing about adjusting the knurled knob. There is no identification to the die like there is for the sizer. I thought the "turn inward" was for the entire die. The video explained it well including how the die works. I think I better do more studying before I load live rounds. I thought I understood what I was doing.

Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013Posts5

Anyone have suggested load using 95gr lrn? The powders I have been able to pick up are 700x and PowerPistol.

No need to feel stupid. That's what these forums are for. So you can ask questions and learn.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp
This site has load info from users that they have found works well for them.

I suggest getting at least one good reloading manual the latest Lyman would be a good start. There is a lot to reloading and if you do it wrong, parts of you might come up damaged or missing. Don't skip this step and you will a lot happier.

"Is all this REALLY necessary?"

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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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