Who reloads .380acp ?
What bullet weight and powder type ?
What bullet weight and powder type ?
.380acp
- Thread starter jimmyj
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I load 90 gr XTPs over 3.4 grains of Tite Group for a self defense load.
I also load 100 grain plated bullets (both Xtreme and Berrys) using alternatively 4.0 grains of Unique or 2.8 grains of Red Dot.
All of them work quite well in my Kimber Micro, RIA Baby Rock, both my Ranger made Walther PPK/S pistols, and my FEG APK9S and AP9S pistols.
I also load 100 grain plated bullets (both Xtreme and Berrys) using alternatively 4.0 grains of Unique or 2.8 grains of Red Dot.
All of them work quite well in my Kimber Micro, RIA Baby Rock, both my Ranger made Walther PPK/S pistols, and my FEG APK9S and AP9S pistols.
I have been known to do that on occasion.
My "best" load has been with Bayou 105 gr coated, flat points over 3.1 gr W231 w/ OAL @ 0.980". Shooting from a Glock M42 they chrono at around 825fps (vs published velocity at 843). For comparison store-bought UMC 95 gr FMJ's chrono at around 920 fps from the same gun.
Reloading 380's can be a bit troublesome due to small size. I'll usually run them through on a Lee classic turret press. -S2
My "best" load has been with Bayou 105 gr coated, flat points over 3.1 gr W231 w/ OAL @ 0.980". Shooting from a Glock M42 they chrono at around 825fps (vs published velocity at 843). For comparison store-bought UMC 95 gr FMJ's chrono at around 920 fps from the same gun.
Reloading 380's can be a bit troublesome due to small size. I'll usually run them through on a Lee classic turret press. -S2
rockquarry
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Like most handgun cartridges, the .380 ACP with cast bullets of the right alloy and fit will be at least as accurate and perhaps as effective as any jacketed bullet.
I no longer have any .380s, but worked with several a few years back, trying three or four cast bullets and a variety of powders with generally good results. Of course, jacketed bullets works also, and there's lots of available load data.
I no longer have any .380s, but worked with several a few years back, trying three or four cast bullets and a variety of powders with generally good results. Of course, jacketed bullets works also, and there's lots of available load data.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
A 95gr Cast Bullet mostly but sometimes a 90gr FMJ or XTP bullets. Powder is usually W231 or recently W244. Primer is usually a CCI-500. It's not all that difficult to find accuracy. I load for my son's Kel-Tec P-3AT.
Sig P238 (2.75" barrel) -
For carry: Buffalo Bore 100gr lead RNFP; 1073 fps
For practice: 95 gr RN plated over 4.9 gr AA #5; 837 fps, SD 6, very accurate, pleasant to shoot. (4.9 is a near max or max load, and I've read AA #5 can spike pressure at max, so work up very carefully and weight check your powder measure throw often. I do every ten rounds.)
Other powders gave similar velocity, but AA#5 meters so very, very well, it's my choice for mid-power loads in .380 and .38 special
For carry: Buffalo Bore 100gr lead RNFP; 1073 fps
For practice: 95 gr RN plated over 4.9 gr AA #5; 837 fps, SD 6, very accurate, pleasant to shoot. (4.9 is a near max or max load, and I've read AA #5 can spike pressure at max, so work up very carefully and weight check your powder measure throw often. I do every ten rounds.)
Other powders gave similar velocity, but AA#5 meters so very, very well, it's my choice for mid-power loads in .380 and .38 special
rockquarry
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I'd have to look up data, but, as I recall, I tried around four or five powders with several cast bullets ranging in weight from around 90 grs. to 122 grs. I think 231 powder was consistently the winner as for accuracy.
.38SuperMan
Member
This is a very timely post. I loaded 380 thirty years ago but after a couple of moves can’t find my data. I have a Beretta 84 now that I really enjoy shooting and thought I’d start loading again.
Hopefully this is not too far afield for Jimmy’s thread. Does anyone use the Lee 95 gr flat-nose cast bullet. I was looking at it thinking it might be worth a try. 
Unfortunately I can’t add much to this discussion, otherwise. My .380 loading experience is very limited. Remington factory FMJs and 231 powder is all I’ve ever tried.
Unfortunately I can’t add much to this discussion, otherwise. My .380 loading experience is very limited. Remington factory FMJs and 231 powder is all I’ve ever tried.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I was going through the shelf with old projects on it and found 500 Remington 380 soft points from before 1984 (probably 1981 or 82). That's when I moved, then bought a Dillon. I bought the bullets and dies, I had the gun (W.German Walther PPK/s), but back then finding brass in any quantity was impossible! Now I have the bullets, dies, over 1000 brass and one gun (Ruger LCP): But I still can't bring myself to put 500 together!
It has been my policy to only load for extreme economy, extreme accuracy, or ammo I can't get. 380 is inexpensive, more accurate than I need, and very common. I just am not motivated to invest the most precious of resources...Time, into something so Ho-Hum, even though it won't cost me anything out of pocket! So the stack of bullet boxes and the can of brass will just sit on the shelf. BTW, those bullets were $5.95/100 retail plus 10% off when buying 10 boxes or more-mix and match, so I have (old technology) SD bullets for $5.35/100.
Ivan
It has been my policy to only load for extreme economy, extreme accuracy, or ammo I can't get. 380 is inexpensive, more accurate than I need, and very common. I just am not motivated to invest the most precious of resources...Time, into something so Ho-Hum, even though it won't cost me anything out of pocket! So the stack of bullet boxes and the can of brass will just sit on the shelf. BTW, those bullets were $5.95/100 retail plus 10% off when buying 10 boxes or more-mix and match, so I have (old technology) SD bullets for $5.35/100.
Ivan
gwpercle
Member
My pet loads for the 380 acp
Lee 358-105-SWC , sized .357
1.) 2.7 grs. Bullseye
2.) 3.1 grs. 231
Gary
Lee 358-105-SWC , sized .357
1.) 2.7 grs. Bullseye
2.) 3.1 grs. 231
Gary
I load and shoot a fair bit of .380. I use mostly 2.7 BE, sometimes 3.1 231, with whatever 95 to 100 grain bullet I happen to have. I don't bullseye shoot with it, I am strictly a "minute of paper plate at 7 yards" kind of guy.
max503
Member
Before I sold my Colt I loaded 95 grain round nose, 95 grain flat nose, and 105 grain SWC's. All loaded with Bullseye. All cast. The only other powder I tried was Unique and the BE did better. I still have the molds and dies. Maybe someday I'll get another 380.
I just got a new SCCY in 380 and have only made up two loads. One is a 90 gr XTP over a mid load of Titegroup, so far shoots great. The other load is a 95 gr cast RN over a starting load of Bullseye. Only fired a few, got a little leading (store bought bullets), OK so far...
Funflyer
Member
I have a few favorite powders and bullets in 380. For fun/range I use a 95gn coated RN with 3.8gn of CFE-Pistol, or a 105gn cast/coated SWC (sized to .357")with 2.9gn of Bullseye. Both are accurate as can be.
My best SD rounds for the Bodyguard are a 90gn XTP pushed by 4.5gn of Autocomp. For my Pico I load the 90gn XTP to with 4.2gn of CFE-Pistol. I found the same loads for Speer 90gn Gold-Dots work well also, but I prefer to use XTPs for better penetration. As always, never load what others load without verifying and starting low.
My best SD rounds for the Bodyguard are a 90gn XTP pushed by 4.5gn of Autocomp. For my Pico I load the 90gn XTP to with 4.2gn of CFE-Pistol. I found the same loads for Speer 90gn Gold-Dots work well also, but I prefer to use XTPs for better penetration. As always, never load what others load without verifying and starting low.
Funflyer
Member
Hopefully this is not too far afield for Jimmy’s thread. Does anyone use the Lee 95 gr flat-nose cast bullet. I was looking at it thinking it might be worth a try.
Unfortunately I can’t add much to this discussion, otherwise. My .380 loading experience is very limited. Remington factory FMJs and 231 powder is all I’ve ever tried.
I've only cast and tested these for function, and will work on accuracy testing soon. So far they show promising results in every one of my pistols, short and long barrels.
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max503
Member
One thing I found out from others; sizing lead bullets to .358 gave much better accuracy in the 380. I never would have thought it. Now I size 9mm ammo to .358 too. Just have to make sure the rounds feed and chamber.
