The mighty 380 ACP. Need data!

[Rule3]

I am looking for +P+ load data for the 380 ACP with a 100 gr or more JHP bullet.

Needs to be able to penetrate glass, car doors, denim and still be a one shot stopper round.

Must exceed 1200 fps out of a 2 inch barrel.

What's the best powder??

EDIT see post #22

Just a parody or satire of some posts I had been reading.

Load within reliable data only, unless your really know what you are doing. Even then, pushing the envelope serves no real purpose.

 

[jinx]

Wow! Looking forward to this data.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I am looking for +P+ load data for the 380 ACP with a 100 gr or more JHP bullet.

Needs to be able to penetrate glass, car doors, denim and still be a one shot stopper round.

Must exceed 1200 fps out of a 2 inch barrel.

What's the best powder??

You forgot to ask for world peace too.

 

[jeeps]

the best carry load in the 380 is full ball fan 95 gen. S-B,Geco ,or ppu. There at full power. Go is waste of time in the 380. The fmj will reach the vitals. **** placement is queen all else does not matter.

 

[JBnTx]

I am looking for +P+ load data for the 380 ACP

Isn't that called a 9mm?

I'm a firm believer that instead of getting into the +P for any caliber, it's better to just get a bigger caliber that better suits your needs.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Any load making those specs would exceed pressure standards. Get a 357 SIG if you want that kind of performance.
Geoff
Who recommends the SIG P239 if you can find one. SIG Sauer P239 - Wikipedia

 

[GeoJelly]

Just fill the cases with Bullseye sir, then load bullets on a compressed charge ... I think you might get ONE shot down the barrel at that charge. But, please do wear your thick leather gloves and full body armor...

 

[Iggy]

Try putting a 10mm cartridge in it.

 

[125JHP]

I recall there was a seemingly crazy guy on one of the web boards doing exactly that sort of thing. He mentioned his loads and they were all way over the top... I think he was trying to see how much would make a gun blow... never did hear what happened to him.

Because of the small carry size, I too wanted to load the 380 to max potential and stopping power. I experimented with a lot of powder/bullet combos over a chrono. I used a Colt Mustang and a Beretta 70S initially then a Bersa after the others were sold.

I thought using a 115gr bullet might be the trick but testing showed it wasn't even close. My best results were with the Rem 102gr Golden Sabre bullet and either Herco or N-320 powder for just over 1000fps.
Two other good performers were the Magtech 100gr w/N-320 (980fps -looks like an XTP with the cavity filled with lead) and a 102gr LRN (cast lead Lee 102-356) with Solo 1000 (950fps)

IMO, those are the best you will get loading yourself - you can try some of the specialty loads like Buffalo Bore or the others but without lab pressure test gear, your skating on thin ice. I don't think you'll ever going to get 1200 fps out of the 380... period. As for the other performance requirements- you'll have to test the final load yourself.

I eventually went with a 9mm Sig P290 and a Kahr CM9, which are as small as most carry 380's with a lot more power.

OK that said... use this data to work up loads for YOUR gun at your own risk, and I also recommend use a locked breech design for best results or a stiff recoil spring if a blowback design.
You might find something that works around 3 grains or so with the above powders but start slightly lower. Be vary careful not to over do it with Solo.

 

[H Richard]

I dont believe there are any 380's made that would survive a steady diet of 1200 fps with a 100 gr load. What about some of these new ultra light wt billets going 1200 and faster?

 

[Rule3]

I have shot thousands and thousands of rounds out my 380, wore out a couple barrels but it's still tight as a drum. I need more power!

 

[m657]

....'perhaps I'm wrong'.......BUT....

OP's post strikes me as being a 'test load'.....

Rule3's post is suspicious to me, as his prior posts have been largely of reason & experience.

This request of excessive performance specs is beyond rational.

Perhaps early celebration of April Fools Day has commenced?

 

[125JHP]

I have shot thousands and thousands of rounds out my 380, wore out a couple barrels but it's still tight as a drum. I need more power!

run for congress...

 

[RGVshooter]

I am looking for +P+ load data for the 380 ACP with a 100 gr or more JHP bullet.

Needs to be able to penetrate glass, car doors, denim and still be a one shot stopper round.

Must exceed 1200 fps out of a 2 inch barrel.

What's the best powder??

I mean absolutely no disrespect...


You want load data for a 380 that gets 1200 fps out of a 2" barrel???

No. There's no way anyone in their right mind would even offer that kind of advice. Now we know why ppl blow up their guns.

As a suggestion. Get a Kahr CM9. It's only slightly bigger than a M&P bodyguard and is chambered in 9mm. Cause the only way your gonna get 1200fps out of a 380 is to buy a 9mm pistol.

 

[growr]

Jet A ???
No real data for that, but fill up a casing and let'r rip! Let us know YOUR results....
Randy

 

[silentflyer]

Buy a Model 19 and shoot .357's in it...

 

[murphydog]

Have a look here:

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .380 Auto Results (2010)

And here:

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: 9mm Luger Results

Note that no 100 + gr .380 load was tested, but no .380 of any bullet weight exceeded about 1050 fps (90 gr) out of a 2" barrel. In fact, no 9 mm + P load over 100 gr exceeded this velocity out of that barrel length.

So, based on solid data, here is how you get 1200 fps out of a .380 (not 100 + gr, however):
A 5+" barrel.

Here is how you get 1200 fps out of a 100+ gr, .355" projectile:
A 9 mm +P with a 3" or longer barrel.

At the very least, consult current reloading manuals to see if your idea will work, even though if something is posted on the Internet, it must be true . Good luck in your decisions.

 

[JBnTx]

I have shot thousands and thousands of rounds out my 380, wore out a couple barrels but it's still tight as a drum. I need more power!

What kind of .380 do you have?

 

[gwpercle]

Just fill the cases with Bullseye sir, then load bullets on a compressed charge ... I think you might get ONE shot down the barrel at that charge. But, please do wear your thick leather gloves and full body armor...

Tie gun to fence post, cord to trigger and pull cord from behind tree or the barn.
That's how we would "test" our sketchy loads.
DO NOT hold gun in hands!
Gary

 

[TomkinsSP]

Just fill the cases with Bullseye sir, then load bullets on a compressed charge ... I think you might get ONE shot down the barrel at that charge. But, please do wear your thick leather gloves and full body armor...

Use a .251 hollow point with a .177 round ball in the cavity opening, both made of Plutonium 239. Coat with lead until .356 diameter. Shots impacting within 35 degrees of perpendicular at 50 feet or less should retain enough axial velocity to achive a supercritical state, obliterating Mr. Bad guy in a small mushroom cloud.

Check your local laws for restrictions.