.380 acp reloading

[JoeDice]

I load 380 Auto for my wife’s S&W EZ. She shoots my various 9 mm autos just fine but can’t operate the slide . So we got her the 380 EZ which she can work the slide, plus less recoil. I load my 38 Specials and 380 Auto on a Lee Classic Turret press with their 4 die set. I use the 100 gr X-tream bullet with 2.8 grs of Bullseye. My cartridge OAL varies more than I would like . The load data calls for .975 but mine vary as much as .970 to .981. The gun doesn’t seem to care it feed reliable with them all .
I read that some reloaders claim the 380 cases stretch more than other straight wall pistol cases . I measured some of mine and some are longer than others, which increase over all length . That the only problem I have had with loading 380 auto. Alliant powders are getting expensive so I’m going to to try some w231 and also w572 in the near future.

 

[skipperjb777]

I load 380 for six guns - Ruger Security Max, Walther CCP, Sig P238, Berreta 80X and S&W BG2 original and comp versions. Like others I use the Xtreme 100gr plated bullets because of price. I had settled on a load using Tite-Group at 2.7-2.8 grains and a COL of .975. However....the BG2 original will not reliably seat the reload at .975 and after numerous plink tests with the barrel I found that a .955-.960 COL functioned with out a problem. That said, I started to think about alternative powders that I have BE, HP-38, and CFE. I ruled out BE since I want to use it for my 38 148gr WC's and its hard to find. Also I started loading at a COL of .945. I found that Tite-group loaded at 2.8 grs did not produce consistent accuracy with any of the six except the 80X. Using the HP-38 at 3 grains produced good results for me in all but the BG2 original and the recoil seemed very mild in comparison to the Tite-Group and CFE. The CFE loaded at 3.8 grains produced almost the same results as the HP-38 with the BG2 original showing better results when compared against the HP-38 load. I was really surprised with 80X as it has been in the dog house resently, but its groupings for all three laods were very tight, so it may have redeemed itself. I use a RCBS turret press, but use a Rebel for re-sizing and de-capping. I also use a combination of RCBS and Lee dies, using the RCBS seating die and the Lee factory crimp die.

 

[A-300 Dave]

I have reloaded for a Beretta 84F & a Colt Government for many years without any issues. I have had great results with 95 gr & 115 gr bullets over 231, Bullseye, Unique and currently with Power Pistol. I use an old RCBS Rock Chucker press and RCBS. Large fingers is about my only complaint.

 

[Mk VII]

I found W-W cases would not hold the bullet tight enough.
With S&B ones I taper crimp as a separate operation as, again, the bullet moved inside with each shot.