Current Scene On Plethora Of Small Commercial Loaders?

[Duckford]

Looking at 380 ammunition, and finding there are many good prices on what appears to be a whole slew of new small manufacturers since the last time I shopped. It appears it must have blown up since 2020, and maybe that's where all the primers and powder have gone?

Are any of them any good? Are any of them known to be of poor quality or to be avoided at all costs? With current prices, would it be better to just stay with the big factory names and play it safe?

 

[Doug M.]

If you can't get solid info that tells you that they are of adequate quality, I'd stick with names you know and trust. Buy once, cry once.

 

[chief38]

Personally, I'd stick with Federal, CCI, Speer, Winchester and Remington as primary ammo brands. Some of the secondary name brands which are still good for Range and Target work are Magtech, PPU, Fiocchi, S&B, & PMC.

While there have been a bunch of new comers to the ammo scene lately, I have not personally tested many of them and so I can't really comment. As far as carry/SD ammo is concerned I personally stick with the Big Boys or Buffalo Bore.

For Range / Target shooting I mostly roll my own.

 

[hyena]

There's a farm supply store about 25 miles from me (part of a small chain of six stores) that had Browning .380 for $22.99 for months last year. Probably still do, but the Harley is napping for the winter and I don't want to drive the truck down there. It's made by Winchester, I'm told, and functions very well in my Bodyguard. I stocked up every time I was riding near there.

I also tried five boxes of "private reserve" from a small manufacturer in Colorado, and it wouldn't work in my Bodyguard.. Apparently they use hard primers, but it fired in my buddy's Sig P238 to we traded ammo. Based on that experience, I'm sticking with the big names. That's the first brand that had not worked fine in my Bodyguard.

 

[Duckford]

Personally, I'd stick with Federal, CCI, Speer, Winchester and Remington as primary ammo brands. Some of the secondary name brands which are still good for Range and Target work are Magtech, PPU, Fiocchi, S&B, & PMC.

While there have been a bunch of new comers to the ammo scene lately, I have not personally tested many of them and so I can't really comment. As far as carry/SD ammo is concerned I personally stick with the Big Boys or Buffalo Bore.

For Range / Target shooting I mostly roll my own.

I prefer handloading. Got the dies for it. Then I look at what I have left for small pistol primers, then I look at the store shelves in the big city when I take a rare trip out. Either non existent or so high priced it isn't worth it.

If its that expensive, I'll just find some cheaper brass case and shoot that for a while, and HOPE that primer prices become sane at some point in the future.

Not the first time I've shot some factory to save up some brass for later.

 

[Racer X]

I have seen at least one seller of Brazillian SPP selling in 3k or 5k lots at $85/K and they have had them available for weeks. We might start seeing overseas primers showing up, and I saw somewhere 209 shotgun primers for I think $45/k in 5K bricks in stock.

 

[martyd]

Is 380 a want-to-be caliber?

Try moving up to a real caliber

This is just a joke.

 

[Duckford]

Is 380 a want-to-be caliber?

Try moving up to a real caliber

It is a caliber right underneath what is generally advisable, I'll admit that. 9mm Luger and 38 +p is where you should stay.

I carry a 1911 or 6 inch barrel M27 all the time, so I'm never short on power.

But, I wanted a PPK/s for the collection, so I might as well shoot it. And consider it as another option to carry.

 

[chief38]

Nothing like a 45acp or 357 magnum but I am beyond toting around a big heavy pistol while wearing mostly cargo shorts. To me the answer is a Sig P365 in 9mm. 11 rounds should do and while not as powerful as a 45 or 357 at least I’ve always got it with me. That same argument can be made for the 380acp. A Ruger LCP or S&W Boduguard is pretty small and light. While not my cup of tea, I can see why many women and even some men still carry a 380. Personally I go with a 9.

 

[Inland7-45]

During the 90’s when I was not able to do any reloading I put my equipment in storage and bought whatever I could find when I had time to shoot.

The local Dick’s had a large amount of Remington .30 Carbine in the UMC packaging. Price was right and it was available for awhile. Shot it all off and saved the brass.

For .38 and .45 I bought a lot of Carrol Cartrige Co. commercial reloads. A local gun store had it for awhile. Again, shot it all and saved the brass.

I started reloading again in 2007. Got everything out of storage, upgraded and added to my equipment and also started casting bullets again. I have increased the number of calibers that I reload for from 3 to 16.

I am retired now and have the time to enjoy crafting my own ammunition.
I am always focused on improving the quality and consistency of the finished product.

While I still by factory ammunition when I see a good deal. I have no interest in commercial reloads.

I have complete confidence in my own and with the powder and primers that I stocked up on before the shortages I will have a good supply of what I need for s long time.

 

[9mmPatriot]

Buy a single box and give 'em a try.
If they go bang and land where you're aiming,
buy more.

 

[LVSteve]

Personally, I'd stick with Federal, CCI, Speer, Winchester and Remington as primary ammo brands. Some of the secondary name brands which are still good for Range and Target work are Magtech, PPU, Fiocchi, S&B, & PMC.

While there have been a bunch of new comers to the ammo scene lately, I have not personally tested many of them and so I can't really comment. As far as carry/SD ammo is concerned I personally stick with the Big Boys or Buffalo Bore.

For Range / Target shooting I mostly roll my own.

For 380 FMJ range ammo I go with Fiocchi or S&B. They tend to be loaded hotter and cycle Euro sprung guns more reliably. Every time I read of somebody having issues with a 380 they are using Winchester, Remington, and PMC FMJ. Issues with PMC don't surprise me given their anemic 9mm FMJ.

 

[Duckford]

My main experience with boutique was Freedom Munitions or Freedom Ammunition, I forget which. Which was the source of another couple of threads here, one recently, with their stepped 9mm cases and having case separation in my Uzi and other pistols. Had some cases with the bullets set back in the case. Haven't bought or sourced anything from them in a long time.

Not sure if I want to. Come to think of it, their 38 Special had poor accuracy out of a rifle. It was decent enough of a price back in 2013, but I never had trouble with mainline factory ammunition. Probably should not chance it again.

I'll be on the lookout next time for Fiocchi or S&B. The local gun stores can't carry much, and the nearest "real" gun store is 60 miles away, and their selection isn't the greatest these days. Ordered some Magtech to try first, then see from there.

At the least, I'll break in the pistol and get some brass for later. If I can find affordable small pistol primers....