Best powder for 380 auto

[mgrandick]

I just getting ready to load some .380 and can't really find much on a good load. I scored two bags of 88grain hp but can find only one recipe for 88 grainers. A few for ninety grain. Anyone have a tried and true load?

Mike Grandick

 

[Rule3]

There are no "best" powders for anything Some do work better than others however.

You can use data for the 90 grain bullets. You can use data for the next highest weight (within reason) Are the JHP or Lead? Do you have any powders or will you need to buy some?

HP38/W231 works fine in the 380, there are many others but it depends on what you have or what you can find.

What manuals are you using??

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also like W231/HP-38 for loading the .380 Auto. It works very well and meters well too which is important when throwing light charge weights in small cases like in the .380 Auto.

The difference between a 88gr and 90gr bullet is so small it's insignificant when loading. You can safely use the 90gr load data with a 88gr bullet. Of course if the pullet profile is different the OAL will also be different.

Hodgdon's online load data site shows 10 different powders for loading a 90gr Hornady XTP bullet in the .380 Auto. All can be safely used with a 88gr bullet. Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

 

[mgrandick]

I have titegroup, bluedot, and bullseye available for the Winchester 88 grain hp bullets.

Mike G

 

[Rule3]

I have titegroup, bluedot, and bullseye available for the Winchester 88 grain hp bullets.

Mike G

Out of those three I would use the Bullseye or Unique just be sure to measure the Unique very carefully (weigh each round) as it it not the best metering powder especially such a small case. You will get better performance from the slower powder.

Lets not even discuss Titegroup! To many horror stories around here Yes I know let the Titegroup users chime in, I just do not use it or care for it. Others love it.

Alliant data below. Your OAL may be different.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

I guess I saw Unique on the Alliant site, but you have Blue Dot. No that is no good for the 380.

As OKFCO5 stated yes there is Titegroup but weigh each charge, too easy to use too much and problems occur!

I use different powders but you got what you got! Just not a Titegroup fan

 

[mgrandick]

Going to go with the 3.4 of Bullseye. I don't even know what I bought the Titegroup for. I had to have bought it for something. Maybe for my 4006.
Mike G

 

[OKFC05]

3 gr of Titegroup with 90 or 88gr jacketed is about as good as it gets in .380. Don't experiment over the Hodgdon range, and measure carefully.
Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

Blue Dot is way too slow for .380.

 

[mgrandick]

Thanks on the blue dot info. I was kind of wondering about it. It was given to me unopened and I thought maybe 44 magnum powder but I already use A2400 with that satisfactorily.

Mike Grandick

 

[blujax01]

You're Killing Me, Smalls...

Interesting:

I'm getting ready to venture into the .380 as well and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to use some of my Titegroup since it's a smaller case.

I used to use Titegroup in my 45ACP and was cautioned not to, because the case volume was such that it would be "easy to miss" a double charge.

In the .380 Auto, there's a half grain difference between the starting charges for W231 (3.2) and Titegroup (2.7). It's a rather small case and I guess I can't see where there would be that much visual difference in the volume.

The only smaller case I have on hand is the 25 ACP which calls for a tenth grain less TG (1.5) than W231 (1.6)... and for that charge I'm trickling it in!

 

[Rule3]

I guess the question would be, Can you double charge a 380 case with TG? I have never used it but have loaded a lot of 380.

If you double charge a 380 case will it flow over the top or be clearly visible that there is too much??

That's the reason TG gets a bad rap that it's so dense that a over charge is hard to see. Maybe not so in a small case.? I don't really know. I can't keep track of the powders I have now

 

[OKFC05]

Can you double charge a 380 case with TG? I have never used it but have loaded a lot of 380.

If you double charge a 380 case will it flow over the top or be clearly visible that there is too much??

Good question. I use Titegroup a lot, but not in large revolver cases.

9gr of Titegroup runs over the top of a .380 case.
6gr of Titegroup is considerably more volume than the correct charge of the other common .380 powders.

Could someone double charge the .380 and ignore the crunching powder of the compressed load as he seated the bullet?

Nothing is foolproof for a sufficiently talented and determined fool!

 

[Rule3]

Will 6 grains of TG fit then?? Or is it really obvious?? Like a compressed charge.
Never used it and have no urge to go buy another powder.

 

[H Richard]

I would think 6 gr. Titegroup is TOOO Much. Confirm this in writing before trying it.

 

[Rule3]

I would think 6 gr. Titegroup is TOOO Much. Confirm this in writing before trying it.

NO, NO, NO

Was not indicating to use that amount

I was discussing TG and it's reputation of causing Kbooms when over charged due to it's density and how fast it is.

Hodgdon max is 3.2gr for the 90gr bullet.

So it was a question of will 6.0 grains fill it up and a novice reloader not notice it???

Yes, it is much to much!

 

[mgrandick]

It's a cinch that I won't be loading TG in my .380. I just got back with the new loads of Bullseye. (3.4) very nice. Shot some good groups so I good to go to load the mags in my carry. 380
thanks as always for the valuable input.

MIke Grandick

 

[Engieman]

I've tried lots of powders....and have settled on Red Dot for the .380. Works really well, accurate, not snappy....I use lead 95 grain. Red Dot powder works well in a lot of calibers, and is often overlooked. New production is "50%" cleaner per Alliant. Good stuff.

 

[gen3guy]

Ditto on the 3.4 grains of Bullseye. Works great with any bullet approximating 90 grains.