I am getting ready to start loading .380 auto. I plan on using HP38 under an Xtreme 100gr. PFP in once fired PMC Bronze brass to start. I also have IMR 7625 and 4756 available. I have found plenty of load data for the IMR powders I have listed. I am curious to know if anyone here has any experience using IMR 7625 and/or 4756 for .380 auto and what kind of results did you get? Good, bad, better than HP38?

Many years ago I used IMR 7625 for both .380 and 9mm and found that accuracy wasn't as good or as consistent as either HP-38 or W-231 (which are the same powder) with bullet weights ranging from 90 - 115 gr. It's (IMR 7525) usable in a pinch or if you're experimenting with various bullet weights or firearms. My results were fired out of both a Browning .380 BDA and Browning Hi-Power (with factory and Bar-Sto Barrels in the Hi-Power)

The .380 is too small for the slower powders to reach their potential, and HP38/WIN231 gives the best overall results. Bullseye and Red Dot are also good with 90gr bullets. It is easy to go overpressure with the small charges in the thin case. It is NOT like a 9mm Luger, where you can push pressures.

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Science plus Art

Another thing to consider is that all the IMR "SR" powders (along with PB, 4007SSC and WW AA Lite)are no longer made. When you use up what you now have, you'll have to move along to something else.

Ed

I have loaded .380 with 4756. Had a pretty good load(4 gr. under a 100gr LTC at.950 OAL) but finished off my 4756 so switched to 231.

I use W231/HP38 and power pistol with good results

I meant to mention that I have found AutoComp powder to work really well in my 1911s in .38 Super and it is readily available. You might want to give it a try in the .380.

Ed

Bullseye, Unique and N320 are my choices for 380 ACP.

I plan on using HP38 but I was curious about the 4756 and the 7625. I would like to stretch out the HP38 I have. I have been using it for .357 mag and 38 spl. I have been looking around for some 2400 for .357 mag but the pickens are thin. I only have a couple of pounds of the 4756 but I have quite a lot of 7625. I have been using the 7625 for .45 auto with good results. The 4756 works good in .45 auto also. Thanks to those who have responded.

I agree with your statement about slower powders and 380's but (you knew that there was a but coming ) IMR 7625 (#27) is actually a faster powder in the burn rate chart than HP38 (#28) so how is it considered a slow powder?

I normally don't respond to questions like this, but you seem like a good guy just misreading my post, so I will.
Please reread my post carefully and you will realize I made NO mention of 7625 nor did I list what I considered slow powders. You are arguing about something I didn't say.

To repeat what I did say:

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Science plus Art

Ok, I see it now sorry. The original post was ? about two powders, so a response, i thought should be about those two powders. One is IMO to slow for 380 the other is not.

One more thing for you 380ACP loaders.
I use Penn 100gr TCBB bullets with the powders I listed above.
I also use Hornady 115gr XTP and FMJ bullets with the same powders.
OAL with the FMJs is .970"-.975".
.965" with the XTPs.
Lyman's 49th has the load data for the XTPs.
Next time I purchase bullets I'll get some 115gr FMJ/TC. Not sure who makes them... Speer/Sierra?
We have a handful of different 380s and work up the loads for each pistol.
Safety first = no Kabooms.

Using HP38 "Gold power " for the 357 magnum !!
Are you crazy??
I can see using it in the smaller 38 cases.............if needed.

You must have a lot of it......... I am down to 1/8 of a pound
and I don't touch it. Red Dot or Green Dot does it now.

Save that w231 for the 380 where it will really shine if you do
get into loading it and get the most out of what you have left.

I'm just glad to see some people still have "the powder".
Good loading.

7625 is my favorite powder for the 380. 3.0 grains with a 95-100 bullet is very good. It is just a softer shooting load, compared to all the others.
I would stay away from the 115. They will work, I just did not care for them. I had my best luck with 95grain lead. 100grn extreme was 2nd
The 115 will tend to bulge your cases more.
I loaded up 1000 for a buddy of mine, and probably shot 15 different powders. They all worked, but 7625 was the best, followed by Hp38-231

Why will 115gr bullets bulge the cases more?
What measurements do you get?
Mine pass the pluck test in five different barrels.

Well I started out with HP38 at 2.8 gr. under the Xtreme bullets I mentioned. I have worked up the load to 3.1 at 1/10 gr. increments. I tried several different COL's from .984 down to .945. I chrono 12 round strings for each rise in powder and each COL adjustment. The velocities seem low to me. With 3.0 gr. of HP38 and a COL of .945 I am getting an average velocity of 765 ft/s I feel it should at least be in the 800 ft/s range. Any suggestions? What kind of velocities should I be getting with the load I mentioned above? The load manuals I have say I should be getting higher velocities.. After I get a good load worked up with the HP38 I am going to go to SR7625 and work up a load with it. Thanks for the responses so far.

I honestly cannot comment on either of these two powders for either 380 or 9mm. I just loaded some of both for 380 + 9mm but have not had a chance to test them yet. For what it's worth, I CAN comment on IMR 7625 for 40 SW. I have found it to be my best performing powder yet, shot in my Glock 35. See attached target -- 6 rounds fired @ 25 yds. using 6.3 grs. 7625 & Rainier 155 gr. FP's. Group size is .625" for all 6 rounds. Please research reload data and start from recommended starting load and work up.

Attached Images

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