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09-02-2012, 10:55 AM
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Reloading the .380 ACP
Is it worth reloading for the .380 ACP [9mmX17mm]?
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09-03-2012, 03:07 PM
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NOPE! Go ahead and buy manufactured ammo!
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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26
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09-03-2012, 03:42 PM
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Aside from a slight reduction in powder, it costs the same to reload .380 as to reload 9mm Luger; you decide what your time is worth.
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Science plus Art
Last edited by OKFC05; 09-03-2012 at 03:47 PM.
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09-03-2012, 03:44 PM
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YEAH, then I can pick up your brass....
No, really though, as long as you don't mind paying at least twice the money for half the amount of ammo, buy new factory ammo.
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09-03-2012, 04:23 PM
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.380 RELOADING
I have said this so many times but maybe once again. No, for the most part, as long as you can STILL buy it. However, and especially if you are younger, it might pay somewhere down the line if you at least can. If the up and coming election doesn't go the right way, all bets are off not only concerning , some guns, of course, but ammo, clips holding more than 10 rounds and the list goes on. JMHO.
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09-03-2012, 04:32 PM
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if you load for everything else ... go for it If not, there are far better places to start reloading ... start with the gun you rock out with the hardest and heaviest.
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it just needs more voltage
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09-03-2012, 05:50 PM
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YES, for me it is, Hornady 90 gr XTP over3.2 gr Tite Group
john
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09-03-2012, 05:59 PM
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Depends on how much you shoot. If you shoot 100 rounds a year, no. Its not worth the time.
If you shoot 100 rounds every range trip, absolutely.
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09-03-2012, 06:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M&PUSER
Is it worth reloading for the .380 ACP [9mmX17mm]?
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Why not, what's the difference between it or 9mm, 40 SW etc.
Is it $7 or $8 a box of 50??. Heck the last ammo "shortage" 380 was impossible to find anywhere. If you shoot it, reload it. If you just carry a 380 for SD then maybe just buy a box but that is true for any caliber.
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09-04-2012, 05:59 AM
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I own seven 380 automatics but don't shoot them very often compared
to all the revolvers I own. It varies but maybe 150-200 rds a year total.
It isn't worth it to me to hassle with loading 380s even though I load
several other calibers. I try to save the brass anyway but always lose
some. I think the best load for the 380 is the standard 95 gr FMJ and
so I just stock up when I see a good price.
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09-04-2012, 07:39 AM
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I load it, just another set of dies, I don't shoot much of it but the price for factory stuff has always been too high IIRC WWB at wallyworld was $40/100. Set of dies was about $40. Easy choice.
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09-04-2012, 08:32 AM
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I prefer to reload everything I shoot, regardless of caliber.
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09-04-2012, 08:44 AM
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Cost is just one aspect. You can make mo' better ammunition tailored specifically for your .380. And that's half the fun!
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09-04-2012, 09:23 AM
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all i got to say is watch your fingers if you do decide to reload them, small cases and fat fingers don't go together to well, don't know how many times i pinched my finger...
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09-04-2012, 03:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M&PUSER
Is it worth reloading for the .380 ACP [9mmX17mm]?
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More so than for the 9mm Luger.
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09-04-2012, 07:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMSgt
I prefer to reload everything I shoot, regardless of caliber.
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AMEN brother, if you allready reload, why not throw a couple hundred together.
Personally, I don't like to have to go to the store. Let alone to buy ammo. Not to mention you can load that Buffalo Bore stuff on the press for the cost of the cheap stuff.
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09-04-2012, 07:33 PM
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You can have a few components around incase they go full tilt 9mm manufacturing again and have no time to produce .380.
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09-04-2012, 10:42 PM
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We recently went through and did cost breakdown to determine if it was worth loading for the .380 ourselves. Initially we didn't think it would be but as we did more looking we came to the opposite conclusion.
The main factor was the brass. If you don't mind getting once fired brass from someone then you can save quite a bit. (new brass is 2-3 times more than once fired depending on the brand) We went with once fired and, combined with a plated bullet we found and like, we got the initial cost down to nearly 50% of what factory loads would cost us. Now that we have the brass (and can remove that cost for the next round) we'll be saving approx. 66%.
It'll all depend on the brass you buy and the bullets you choose and how well you can keep from losing your brass. Of course, if you don't have the dies already then you'll use up some of that savings initially as well.
L'LS
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09-04-2012, 11:45 PM
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Thanks for your responses.
I reload for everything I own too. I currently shoot about 150 to 200 rounds when I make my trip to the range, so it sounds as if I can save a substantial amount of money.
Brass I've got. Any suggestions for an accurate load? And which bullets?
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09-04-2012, 11:59 PM
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Moderator SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M&PUSER
Brass I've got. Any suggestions for an accurate load? And which bullets?
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95gr FMJ bullet (I'm currently using Magtech bullets)
3.2gr W231
CCI-500 primers
95gr RN cast bullet from Missouri Bullets
3.0gr W231
CCI-500 primers
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09-05-2012, 12:09 PM
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Back when the micro 380's were all the rage, if I could find 380 at all, it was $18-$22/50. Recently, I've been seeing it for $13-$18/50, not as bad. Still, I can load my own 380 for $6-$7 a box. That makes it worth it to me...all day long.
Of course, I have a 380 worth shooting, a lot, a Sig P232. Very accurate and fun to shoot.
I can't say either about the micro 380's that I have shot.
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09-05-2012, 12:27 PM
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It depends on if you buy in bulk enough with your reloading components or if you buy local off the shelf. If you buy in bulk I find it worth reloading just about anything I want. If you buy only a few boxes at a time them maybe not. I don't care how little I shoot something. I'll reload .25 ACP just to do it.
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09-05-2012, 03:23 PM
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All my lgs carries is jacketed... I don't need to be wasting expensive bullets on paper..so yes; reload.
$3/100 primers,
free used range brass scrounged from the floor,
$1/100 powder,
& $4/100 lead bullets
VS: $16/box new ammo (the cheapest my lgs carries.)
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09-05-2012, 03:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximumbob54
... I don't care how little I shoot something. I'll reload .25 ACP just to do it.
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That's the spirit!
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09-05-2012, 03:56 PM
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http://www.handloads.com/
In the right column is a calculator. This makes it easy to figure costing. Whether you buy primers by the hundred or the thousand, powder by the pound or 8 lb keg, it will break it down into cost per round. As long as you know the charge weight, just pump in the numbers and it spits out the answer.
And the Load data database in the left column is very helpful as well.
The usual disclaimers apply.
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09-05-2012, 06:10 PM
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My favorite load is right off Alliants website. 4.8 of Power Pistol.
Only I've dropped all the way to 102gr GD on top of it where Alliant list it with a 90gr.
For plinkin lead, Meisters LRN will handle everything you can throw at it. Missouri's bullets are a great deal and what I shoot from most of my other calibers.
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09-06-2012, 02:34 AM
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I reload tons of .380, my wife has had surgery in both wrists for carpal tunnel and she loves to shoot. It's one of the easier calibers for her to shoot all day, short of a .22.
95gr. RN
3gr. Win 231
CCI 500 or Win. WSP, whatever is on sale
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09-06-2012, 05:48 AM
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A couple years ago I switched from carrying a P32 to a P3AT and being in the middle of the ammo shortages of '09 and '10 decided to reload 380. I found a set of used Hornady carbide dies on one of the auction sites for around $25 delivered. Sorted through all the used range brass I'd accumulated and came up with around 600 pieces of 380 brass. Ordered 1000 cast bullets and tried the 3.0 gn W231 load mentioned earlier.
The load worked fine so I stopped experimenting and loaded all my brass. I still have a lot of the ammo left but from start to finish I had half a day and just around $100 invested including buying the dies. The small cases were not fun to reload but to me it was worth the time and money invested.
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10-03-2015, 08:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M&PUSER
Is it worth reloading for the .380 ACP [9mmX17mm]?
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Send me your brass...
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10-03-2015, 08:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceapea
Back when the micro 380's were all the rage, if I could find 380 at all, it was $18-$22/50. Recently, I've been seeing it for $13-$18/50, not as bad. Still, I can load my own 380 for $6-$7 a box. That makes it worth it to me...all day long.
Of course, I have a 380 worth shooting, a lot, a Sig P232. Very accurate and fun to shoot.
I can't say either about the micro 380's that I have shot.
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I load the .380, , 90grjhp over 3.0 grs. Red Dot, or 3.4 gr. Bullseye.
love reloading for my Colt pocket light.
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10-03-2015, 08:19 PM
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Anything that's reloadable...
Anything that's loadable is worth reloading. What if ammunition gets scarce again.
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01-10-2017, 01:34 PM
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josmoke21
no,not if you have a BG380,cause they don't shoot!
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01-10-2017, 02:15 PM
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About 35 years ago, I wanted to reload 380 ACP. So I ordered dies, and 1000 Remington 95 grain soft hollow point bullets. I have the shell plate for the 550. I have about 22 pounds of WW231 and 5 or 6k WSP so all I need to do is round up my brass (400-500) and make a batch.
At the time I was looking at a MAC-11 full auto and silencer, and when that deal fell through, I just lost heart and still haven't found it! The neat little brief case had a $500 transfer, but wow!
Ivan
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01-11-2017, 12:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by josmoke21
no,not if you have a BG380,cause they don't shoot!
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Mine goes bang every time. If yours doesn't work, send it back.
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01-11-2017, 02:14 AM
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Zombie thread alert....
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01-11-2017, 04:37 AM
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Zombie thread alert....
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Yeah, I guess 2012 was a fine year for zombies!
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01-11-2017, 04:49 AM
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God I hate that forum feature.
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