Anyone Reloading .380 for the Performance Center EZ 380?

289fia

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Going to pick up a S&W Performance Center .380 EZ for my wife (and for me!!) and I wanted to order some polymer coated bullets for reloading. What diameter bullet does that barrel require? Thanks in advance.
 
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a .380 uses a .355 bullet same as a 9mm just lighter, usually a 90 or so grain bullet. I just got a box from Missouri Bullet. I've also got a Performance Center .380 EZ on the way, good luck with yours.
 
I'd suggest you use .357" diameter if you can find them. Every 380 and 9mm barrel I have slugs between .356" and .357" with the exception of maybe two or three which are under .356" or over .357". The 380EZ I sold had a barrel that measured .3567" and was most accurate with my coated castings sized to .357".
 
I'd suggest you use .357" diameter if you can find them. Every 380 and 9mm barrel I have slugs between .356" and .357" with the exception of maybe two or three which are under .356" or over .357". The 380EZ I sold had a barrel that measured .3567" and was most accurate with my coated castings sized to .357".

Great .... appreciate the input. I will pick up some .356 and .357 to test. Any powder recommendations ... I have some Bullseye on hand (as well as 6 or so others) and the BE seems to do well in smaller cases.
 
Great .... appreciate the input. I will pick up some .356 and .357 to test. Any powder recommendations ... I have some Bullseye on hand (as well as 6 or so others) and the BE seems to do well in smaller cases.

Actually BE might not be the best choice for the .380 ACP. A slower powder is probably a better idea.

Please list the powders you have.

Yes, usually jacketed bullets should be .355" and Cast @.356". Only if accuracy can't be achieved you should go to a .357" bullet.
 
Great .... appreciate the input. I will pick up some .356 and .357 to test. Any powder recommendations ... I have some Bullseye on hand (as well as 6 or so others) and the BE seems to do well in smaller cases.

Bullseye works great as do so many others. I've worked up several accurate loads with coated bullets from 90gn up to 105gn with several powders. Some of the best "highlighted" loads in my database use Titegroup, BE-86, Bullseye, Sport Pistol, CFE-Pistol, HP-38 and Autocomp.
 
Of the powders that are common, WW231/HP-38 is the one I like for small cases and soft recoil.

Unique is very good BUT, you either use a Lyman 55 powder measure or tap the side of the handle on other measurers to get the charge consistent.

Ivan
 
Actually BE might not be the best choice for the .380 ACP. A slower powder is probably a better idea.

Please list the powders you have.

Yes, usually jacketed bullets should be .355" and Cast @.356". Only if accuracy can't be achieved you should go to a .357" bullet.

I ordered some .356 diameter poly coated bullets. Powder on hand is:

-Bullseye
-WST (Winchester special target)
-Titegroup
-American Select
-Power Pistol
-HP38
-Universal Clays
-Unique
-N320 (have seen comments that this is a good one for .380)

I use Titegroup, American Select, Clays and Unique for 45 Colt loads. American Select has been my favorite for that cartridge. Got Power Pistol when I picked up a 1911 in 45 acp, but I just haven't shot it much. Tend to keep shooting my Colt 45 SAA's more frequently.
 
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Actually BE might not be the best choice for the .380 ACP. A slower powder is probably a better idea.

Please list the powders you have.

Yes, usually jacketed bullets should be .355" and Cast @.356". Only if accuracy can't be achieved you should go to a .357" bullet.

Have also seen comments aha Accurate #2 is an excellent powder for .380 acp.
 
I ordered some .356 diameter poly coated bullets. Powder on hand is:

-Bullseye
-WST (Winchester special target)
-Titegroup
-American Select
-Power Pistol
-HP38
-Universal Clays
-Unique
-N320 (have seen comments that this is a good one for .380)

I use Titegroup, American Select, Clays and Unique for 45 Colt loads. American Select has been my favorite for that cartridge. Got Power Pistol when I picked up a 1911 in 45 acp, but I just haven't shot it much. Tend to keep shooting my Colt 45 SAA's more frequently.

Of the powders you list I have had experience with HP-38/W231, Power Pistol and Universal. With the bullets you want to use I suggest HP-38/W231.

Some of the other may work.well but I have not used them so I can't comment.
 
Next time slug the bore before you buy the boolits. Then go bigger if you are using lead.

I size .357 for my 380 in order to get accuracy. Smaller isn't as accurate, and the difference is noticeable.
 
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I've always used W231/HP38 and a 95gr LRN (uncoated). It out-shoots the bulk factory ammo (like Federal or WWB) quite a bit in every .380 I've tried it in.

When I run out of bullets the next ones will be coated. But in most autos I find coated unnecessary for performance. They do keep the dies clean though.
 
I have had good luck with the coated Missouri Cast 90's and AA2. Love N320 in 45, but have not tried it in 380 or 9mm.
 

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