Load Data Sources For 380
 

I have yet to find any good reloading data for the 380 ACP using cast bullets.

I just ordered 100 gr bullets from Penn: .380 Caliber Bullets Available

I would like to use Winchester 231 or Clays to develop a good "plinking" bullet for my Bodyguard 380. Neither my Speer #13 or Lyman's manual lists a 100 gr truncated cone bullet.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for some data?

Thanks!

See Hodgdon web site for .380 jacketed data and use that. I have loaded Missouri Bullet Co. 95 grain RN with 2.8 grains of 231. It function my P3AT fine without throwing brass into the next county.

Thanks. I guess the 380 isn't a very popular cartridge to reload.

I used Hodgdon's data for HP38 and had a fine accurate pleasant load. Watch your OAL carefully and do not over crimp. Don't ask how I know this.

BY the way, my very favorite long gun was a Stevens 38-55 Single shot #4 1/2 IIRC little tack driver at 100 yards.

loaddata.com has some loads that it says are from the Lyman #3 Cast manual.

None with a 100gr bullet though, 92gr and 122gr.

Their loads for the lighter bullet are: 2.3gr of W231 to 3.5gr. Velocities are from 730ish to 1000fps. The OAL was .980". If you are going to use that OAL, no doubt that the base of the bullet is going to be deeper in the case than theirs. If it was me, I would start at 2.8gr and go from there.

Because they are being shot in an auto, I never start at minimum. I want that slide to cycle and a case to eject every single time. Once I turned a Sig P226 into a single shot by starting out too low but still in the data, never again! ;)

FWIW

I use 3.0 gr HP 38/W 231 with Missouri Bullets 95 gr LRN.

Take your barrel out and do the drop in "plunk" test with some inert rounds to see if the seat correctly and fall out when turning the barrel upside down. To check for OAL. Start with Max length as there is not a lot of room to mess with and pressure will increase.

Be careful when resizing, if the case is not perfectly aligned you will crush more than you load. The case walls are very thin.

Thanks guys. Good info