OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
Is there any secret to reloading .380 compared to other auto reloads, like 9mm, 38 super, or 45 acp?
I just acquired a 380 and was wondering,
I just acquired a 380 and was wondering,
Is there any secret to reloading .380 compared to other auto reloads, like 9mm, 38 super, or 45 acp?
I just acquired a 380 and was wondering,
I haven't found anything that's really different between 9mm and 380 auto as far as process. It's just that the powder charges are smaller, so it requires a bit more attention to get them metered/weighed correctly.
I ended up weighing each charge for 380. Since I don't use a lot of 380, it's not a problem for me to take the extra time.
a double charge of w231 will overflow the case, fyi.My hands cramp a lot when loading .380s. I use TiteGroup when reloading .380s & know you have to be very careful not to over load the cases because it takes so little it's easy to do.
if your bullets are seating crooked (roll a loaded round on a table and see if it wobbles), bell the case mouth more.Is there any secret to reloading .380 compared to other auto reloads, like 9mm, 38 super, or 45 acp?
I just acquired a 380 and was wondering,
Well it is a smaller case, and normally fired in small semi auto handguns. The smaller the case is, the more careful the handloader has to be. I have loaded it for years and shot it in a Ruger LCP and a Star model S. It is a mistake to try to soup it up because of the design of the chamber and, as has been mentioned, the brass it not the most rugged. I use AA2 for these little cases and using a decent chronograph work up slowly 1/10 of a grain at a time just to the point of matching factory velocities and you should have no trouble. I also load for the .32 ACP and the .32 S&W Long and even the .32 S&W. I have not tried to reload for the .25 auto, but with winter coming on, I just might try that little bugger too.Is there any secret to reloading .380 compared to other auto reloads, like 9mm, 38 super, or 45 acp?
I just acquired a 380 and was wondering,
The 380 ACP is rimless and headspaces on the case mouth.is the case like 38 super cases? The 38 super for years headspaced on the semi rim.
Several decades ago, I played with 110 gr JHP 38 caliber bullets in 380ACP.I was at the range yesterday shooting off a batch of 115gr JHP loads that I made up following Nosler 9th edition data. It was an interesting experiment...but not worth the effort, at least to me. The sweet spot for me has been the 95gr JHP from Everglades Ammo. Makes for some highly accurate rounds.
As it turns out, I spoke too soon. I wrote "I was at the range yesterday shooting off a batch of 115gr JHP loads that I made up following Nosler 9th edition data. It was an interesting experiment...but not worth the effort, at least to me."Several decades ago, I played with 110 gr JHP 38 caliber bullets in 380ACP.
They worked fine but the velocities were too low for the bullet to expand or even be effective by its weight.
I agree 95 gr is probably a sweet spot but I have good success with anything from 90 to 100 grains.