FC .380 ACP are .350

donkat15 · Oct 29, 2015

Recently got set to reload 9mm and .380. While checking some of the diameters of the new bullets, I thought I would look at my old factory loads from some years back. I took a few new .380's, mic'd at .355 and put them to the nose of the barrel. They were tight, the tip if the ball barely in. Then a few factory .380 FC's out of my home Walther and they almost fell in the barrel; up to the case and loose. They all mic'd out at .3501/02. If I pulled them they would fall through the barrel. Barrel was .354. My calipers are fine, tested on my joe blocks. The original box had rounds missing from when I first shot them. Do I shoot these apparently "loose" factory founds? Head stamp says F C 380 AUTO. Have older Walther PPK/S, Browning BDA, and Beretta 85BB. Any opinions?? Thanks,
donkat15

Nevada Ed · Oct 29, 2015

Just depends on how many..........

Pulling bullets is the pits.
I very seldom pull a target or light load for just shooting.

Only loads that need top accuracy, will get pulled if they are off or have damage to them.

If you have the time or it is important for you.. go for it.

Good luck.

Mark40 · Oct 29, 2015

In the US, "38's" have always been .357 cal. Hence the .357 magnum being able to shoot .38 specials. I always assumed the fact that it was exactly 9mm was coincidental. Any way, the .380 is also known as 9mm short, 9mm kurz etc.

HKSmith · Oct 29, 2015

You need to measure the shank of the bullet, which may not be above the case mouth in your FC loads. Trying to slide the bullet in a loaded round into the front of the barrel is not a good way to assess its diameter. The bullets in the FC loads probably have a different shape (ogive) than the bullets you bought for reloading, which will affect how far they will slide into the barrel. If the bullets in your FC rounds were really 0.350, they wouldn't be a tight fit in the cartridge case. If you pull the bullet from one of the factory rounds, I think you'll find that it's 0.355-0.356. In any event, I see no problem with shooting those rounds.

alwslate · Oct 30, 2015

With auto pistol cartridges that headspace on the case mouth there
may be feeding problems unless the full dia part of the bullet is
seated below the case mouth. You can bet that your Federal .380
ammo has the correct dia. bullet where it counts.

FC .380 ACP are .350

donkat15

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Nevada Ed

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Mark40

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HKSmith

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alwslate

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