800x trouble

[mcenglish]

Greetings,

I am new to reloading and have just finished loading a few 380 rounds with Hodgdon hi-skor 800x at 4gr and the Glock 42 will not eject the casings and the load feels light and does not have good penetration compared to factory loads. I did weigh the powder as it will not meter through my Lee pro 1000. The 4gr is the only data I can find does anyone have any advise?

 

[gamestalker]

Welcome to The High Road!

Need a little more information, such as bullet weight, and type, jacketed, plated, lead.

GS

 

[243winxb]

Hodgdon data list 800X only with jacketed bullet weights of 90 & 100. The maximum is listed at 4.1 & 4.0 gr, no starting load. 800X may not work with lighter bullets or lead or plated? They may produce less pressure? Check your scale for accuracy. I would guess being off a few 1/10th would make a difference??

 

[rcmodel]

800x is not a very good choice for the .380.

It prefers higher pressure.

You would be better off with 700x, Titegroup, Red Dot, W-231, or Unique.

rc

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Attached is an IMR Pistol Data from 2003. It has load data for 3 bullets in 380 acp.

 

[RN]

Just looked through Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition, Speer Reloading Manual #14, Ruger LCP Load Data, and no 800x is listed at all..Some 700x but mostly powders of the unique, w-231, power pistol, universal variety..Probably explains your issues..

 

[Jim Watson]

Advise:
Be glad you only loaded a few.
Plink them up one at a time.
Load the next batch with something else.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Advise:
Be glad you only loaded a few.
Plink them up one at a time.
Load the next batch with something else.

I agree, 800x is a very poor choice of powder for the 380 Auto because it's a slow powder. I know powders are very hard to find, especially pistol powders but sometimes using what you can get just doesn't work, sorry...

That said, a charge of 4.0gr 800x should cycle most pistols because that is the top end charge for a 100gr bullet and just .1gr off the top charge for a 90gr bullet according to Hodgdon. Are you crimping? What type and weight bullet are you using? Primers? Like said above, we need more info to give you more advice...

 

[Artofgolf]

I am new to reloading and have just finished loading a few 380 .... and the Glock 42 .....The 4gr is the only data I can find does anyone have any advise?

Welcome to THR, mcenglish

I've reviewed the Lee 380 Auto load chart and it shows 800X with 3.6g min./4.1g max. for a 90 grain jacketed bullet. Your 4gr load would have cycled most 380 Auto pistols, but not the G42.

The Glock 42 (aka Wharf Rat) needs loads to cycle & eject properly.

Let us know what bullet weight you intend to use & what powders you have on hand ~ we'll help with a recipe that works