Update on the MBC 95 gr LRN OAL in 380 Auto.

[Rule3]

In a previous thread. We got talking about OAL and the Missouri Bullet 95 gr LRN.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/202648-380-ball-90-95-grain-fmj.html

Well I got to the range today and is was so hot and humid I did not feel like setting up the Chronograph.

I loaded some with 2.7 grs of Bullseye at a OAL of .964
Also some with 3.0 gr HP 38 at a OAL of .970
and some with the same 3.0gr HP 38 at .960

I did a lot of dry drop testing in the barrels and these can probably be loaded even a bit longer if needed. Other powders like Unique can be used also.

I shot about 10 or so of each out of a Ruger LCP and a Sig 230SL.
One a locked breach and the other a fixed barrel blow back.

Bottom line they all functioned perfectly. No jams, stovepipes etc. So I think the OAL anywhere in this range from .960 to .970 will be fine.

I enjoy shooting .380 other than trying to find the spent brass in the next county.
Needless to say, the Sig is a tack driver compared to the LCP. The LCP is fine as a SD gun but the Sig will make one ragged hole at about 20 feet.

 

[PDL]

Thanks for the follow up.

I'd like to see what the chronograph says when you do run them over it.
Chrono's on the list, but it will have to wait for a bit.

 

[cjw3]

With 231 and that bullet I get the following from my Kel-Tec:

2.6 grains: 650 fps
2.8 grains: 695 fps
3.0 grains: 746 fps
3.2 grains: 810 fps

I settled on the 2.8 grain load for practice. The cases are easier to find than with the heavier loads and I get excellent functioning.

Federal's 95 grain American Eagle FMJ gets me 836 fps. There's just not enough barrel there to get up much steam.

I bet that Sig is sweet........

 

[Rule3]

With 231 and that bullet I get the following from my Kel-Tec:

2.6 grains: 650 fps
2.8 grains: 695 fps
3.0 grains: 746 fps
3.2 grains: 810 fps

I settled on the 2.8 grain load for practice. The cases are easier to find than with the heavier loads and I get excellent functioning.

Federal's 95 grain American Eagle FMJ gets me 836 fps. There's just not enough barrel there to get up much steam.

I bet that Sig is sweet........

What OAL are you using?

Thanks for the velocities, I dislike dragging the Chronograph out and setting it up when it's this hot and humid. The humiture right now at midnight is 90*

 

[Titegroups]

Just about to load some LRN up for my Keltec in the next couple of days, got my 380 dies in today. Hope the keltec is up to eating some lead. I read on KTOG site that others had done it and found OAL was pretty important, with WWB 380 at close to $40 a box at wallyworld I'll load my own.

 

[Rule3]

Just about to load some LRN up for my Keltec in the next couple of days, got my 380 dies in today. Hope the keltec is up to eating some lead. I read on KTOG site that others had done it and found OAL was pretty important, with WWB 380 at close to $40 a box at wallyworld I'll load my own.

I have the KT also and of course Ruger pretty much just copied it. I should have taken it to the range also but didn't. I do not see any reason why it should not work fine.

If using the same MBC bullets, take your barrel out and drop a round in and see if it fall in with a "plunk" and drops out easily.

 

[cjw3]

What OAL are you using?

Thanks for the velocities, I dislike dragging the Chronograph out and setting it up when it's this hot and humid. The humiture right now at midnight is 90*

OAL is .967. As best as I can tell from the caliper, that leaves about .042 of the shoulder above the brass.


I hear 'ya about the temperature. Lightning killed my A/C compressor last week and we just got it fixed yesterday. How does 92 indoors sound Tuesday afternoon ? Fortunately, we were out of town for most of it; good thing too because I was getting REAL sick of it.

 

[Titegroups]

I have the KT also and of course Ruger pretty much just copied it. I should have taken it to the range also but didn't. I do not see any reason why it should not work fine.

If using the same MBC bullets, take your barrel out and drop a round in and see if it fall in with a "plunk" and drops out easily.

Bought the KT about '06, before ruger copied it, thought it filled a real niche in the market. First time out it keyholed most of the rounds, I live close to the factory so I took it back and they put a new barrel on it, took care of the keyholing. Lost interest in it after that and it sat for years, now the cost of ammo is high so I thought I'd load some LRN from the local caster. Really just concerned about it being able to feed the lead, like most things keltec, great concepts but poor execution, having cnc mills at your disposal doesn't always mean success.

 

[Rule3]

Bought the KT about '06, before ruger copied it, thought it filled a real niche in the market. First time out it keyholed most of the rounds, I live close to the factory so I took it back and they put a new barrel on it, took care of the keyholing. Lost interest in it after that and it sat for years, now the cost of ammo is high so I thought I'd load some LRN from the local caster. Really just concerned about it being able to feed the lead, like most things keltec, great concepts but poor execution, having cnc mills at your disposal doesn't always mean success.

You never know about KT Some are great right out of the box some require a trip back to the factory. My 32 Auto went back twice my 380 was perfect right out of the box(around 2007)

Either way, they have excellent customer service. I live across the State and they sent me UPS call tags to send the 32 back. I will pull mine out and see how the reloads I made fit the KT barrel. Should be fine as I have put every kind of factory ammo and brands through it. It ate them all.

EDIT:

I just dropped some of the rounds loaded at .964 in the KT barrel and they fit the same as the Ruger. I dry cycled a full mag through the gun and they fed and ejected fine. Not actually the same as firing them, but if you are using the same bullet they should be fine.

Hope this helps

 

[Titegroups]

I'll load some up this week and see how they function, really would like to get that gun running right, makes for a great carry piece with the pocket clip.

 

[PDL]

Loaded up some test round with W231 2.8 - 3.2 gr with the Missouri 95grs. Blazer brass with CCI #500 primers. I went conservative this time and stretched the COL out to .980. They thunked and dry cycled fine. It will be a while till I can get to the range with them, but I'll update when I do.

 

[Rule3]

Loaded up some test round with W231 2.8 - 3.2 gr with the Missouri 95grs. Blazer brass with CCI #500 primers. I went conservative this time and stretched the COL out to .980. They thunked and dry cycled fine. It will be a while till I can get to the range with them, but I'll update when I do.

Why (the .980)? I did the leg work for you .964 to .970 works just dandy.

Whatever

 

[PDL]

Why (the .980)? I did the leg work for you .964 to .970 works just dandy.

Whatever

Next time.

When I was setting up for a shorter COL, the first 2 cases got crushed. Only had 60 cases to play with and didn't want to chase down the reason for the crushed cases.
I was working slow and careful so there shouldn't have been a problem, but there was.

I decided that the .980 looked fine and. It was one of your first recommendations as well as just a touch under SAAMI specs.

 

[Rule3]

As long as they drop in and out of your barrel you should be fine.

Yes, it's easy to crush the little buggers, If they are not centered exactly under the die, they are doomed.

 

[PDL]

As I said, Thunk and Dry Cycle without a problem.