380 Auto reloads

[Frank237]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the Sierra 8100. It is a 90 grain JHP. This happens to be my goto bullet for reloading 380. I like to use 3.0 grain of W231, for little more punch you can also load 3.1 of W231.

From Sierra, "Sierra's Power Jacket with skives enhances expansion in varmints at handgun velocities. Pure lead is used for the core to give good penetration with excellent expansion. The 90 grain #8100 is an excellent bullet for the 380 ACP and can be loaded in that cartridge to excellent velocities for high energy release and effective self defense."

Product - Sierra Bullets - The Bulletsmiths

It's probably not mentioned as it doesn't work that well. Same for the Speer Gold dots.

In the .380 acp the Hornady 90 XTP IS the King. Expands consistently at std .380 velocities and gets 12-13" of penetration in ballistics gelatin. Go on YouTube and search for .380 ammo tests/ .380 ammo performance. some good tests there and some eye opening information.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNtPHYwcDts&list=PLgNSGOEQko_MjOCGyqlMTiM2njdQQRbdg[/ame]

There...saved You the search. DO look at this guys tests. Very well done.

 

[Frank237]

Got my dies, some Hornady XTP's and some BE-86.

Going to chrono some 95 gr factory ammo sometime the next few days for a baseline. Then start reloading.

This is an informative thread...Let's keep it going.

FN in MT

 

[Frank237]

In my G-42 at 3800' and 10 feet from the muzzle;

Fiocchi EXTREMA, 90 gr SXT's ............. avg of 937 fps with an ES of 14

Today with WW brass, WSP primers and 4.1 gr of BE-86 and the 90 gr Hornady SXT's .................... 950 fps avg with 21 fps ES.

I think 4.1 duplicates the Hornady Critical Defense and the Fiocchi 90 gr SXT loads.

Going to load a few more up and do some accuracy tests as both of those factory loads were very accurate in my gun.

FN in MT