Has anyone loaded up 115gr JHP in .380

[HKSmith]

Came across this thread and have often wondered the same thing regarding the 115 grain bullet. My curiosity was peaked when I started comparing one of my handloads with a Montana Gold 95 grain JHP to a Remington Ultimate Defense .380/ 102 Grain BJHP round. I found it interesting that while all the .380 bullets I can find are .355 in diameter the Remington measures .3485. This is measured just above the case mouth as I've not yet pulled the bullet but the case seems to indicate this measurement is true to the base of the bullet. Seems like a good way to keep pressures under control

The Remington GS bullets are 0.355 below the case mouth; you're measuring the part above the case mouth, which is meant to approximate land diameter, not groove diameter. All GS bullets are designed this way. Making bullets 0.0065 under groove diameter would definitely not be a good way to lower chamber pressure, but it would be a good way to destroy accuracy!

 

[M&PUSER]

Has anyone worked up a decent load using 115 gr in a 380 at velocities suitable for SD penetration & expansion? Do you think this would be any improvement over the 90 JHP or 95 FMJ ?

Looks as if scientific testing says the .380 90/95s are the best for SD. The Precision One 90 XTPs in particular : Ammo Quest .380 Final Wrapup: finding the BEST ammo for a .380ACP pistol - YouTube

 

[125JHP]

Nice report, it certainly challenges a lot of popular recommendations.
I would have liked to see a larger sample tested for each bullet. I wonder if 5 shots is sufficient but then OTOH I only test 5 to 10 in my messing around. I have also settled on the 90gr XTP (@975fps), 95gr Magtech filled-nose XTP (@975fps) and 102gr Golden sabre (@1010fps) [eta- my reloads of course] for my 380.

 

[Pumpnethel]

Loading .380 with HS6 and 115gr

Today I loaded .380 Blazer once fired case with Extreme 9-115-RN using 3.1 gr HS6 powder COL .980 in my CZ83 I only loaded 4 rounds. Loaded 1 in mag chambered fine shot it ejected fine slide locked open loaded another same results loaded last 2 both cycled fine I found more load data at reloadammo.com

 

[125JHP]

I only tested 2 115gr XTP loads in my 380 - both with Zip powder and got 825fps out of the higher charge. Best 5-shot group was just under 2" at 10yd. I decided the 102gr Golden Sabre was a better choice. 3.3gr of N320 gets me over 1000fps and a 1" group.