Reloading the .380

[Wis-Harpo]

Soon after Christmas I was gifted a S&W Bodyguard. Ammo is scarce, so I decided to reload . It took about a month to get a Lee 4 die set. I got 500 mixed brass online at Capital Cartridge. I have CCI #500 small pistol primers and Tite Group and Win 231powder. Then I got 500 plated 95 grain bullets from Everglades.
I chose Tite Group to reload with because it showed the largest range of high to low powder charge. For Hornady 95 grain FMJ bullets it showed 2.7 to 3.2 grain loads for low and high powder charges. So I loaded 3.0 grains of Tite Group under the 95 grain plated bullets The reloading data is for copper clad bullets, NOT copper plated bullets at an OAL of .970 inches. Is the switch of plated for copper clad safe ???

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

You will be fine. I load Hi-tec coated boolets 95 gran with 3 grains of sport pistol. I used to load them with 3 grains of T.G. Had leading issues with T.G T.g is not nice to coated.

 

[joneb]

I would use the W-231

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sounds like a moderate load, that should work for the intended use if .380ACP...

for me, when I carried my LCP 380, I loaded them to Max plus some. Right when pressure sign started showing. Very dangerous practice! and I discourage doing this.

 

[fxvr5]

The reloading data is for copper clad bullets, NOT copper plated bullets at an OAL of .970 inches. Is the switch of plated for copper clad safe ???

The proper term is copper jacketed, not copper clad.

 

[Seymour380]

I have successfully used 2.6 grs. Titegroup with 100 gr. Everglades plated FNFB bullets for 380 ACP. The Titegroup metered very well for me. Original Hogdon data I referenced was 2.6-3.0 grs. for Hornady 100 gr. FMJ. Great load, plenty of power as a base load.

In my experience with Everglades plated bullets I start with Lyman or RCBS cast lead bullet data if I can find no published plated bullet data for whatever test load I am considering.

 

[stevekozak]

If I can remember, I will look up my old .380 loads from when I was reloading that caliber. I had a good load worked up with Titegroup and Berry's plated bullets. It was accurate and energetic enough out of my Sig 232.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I use Win231 for my Bodyguard 380 loads. Works great. Clean burn. I haven't tried Tightgroup. I have tried Universal in my 380 and did not like it.

 

[FROGO207]

I used 231 with Rainier plated 100 grain bullets as that was what I had. At max lead load data, good accuracy so I left it at that.

 

[Dudedog]

I really like AA#2 for 380, meters great in small charges.
For full power 380 stuff CFE-P has worked well for me.

 

[markr6754]

I shoot a lot of Everglades 95gr JHP, but I tend to mix up the powders. HP-38, VV N320, CFE-Pistol, Silhouette. have some loaded with HiSkor 700-X, but only one test, haven't settled on a good load.
My best loads with HP-38 are 3.0gr and 3.1gr. This works in all my pistols - 2 Kimber Micros, 2 Springfield 911s, and a Bersa Thunder 380.

 

[Wis-Harpo]

Like I stated in my first post, I chose Titegroup because it showed the largest span of start 2.7 to a max of 3.2 grains load ( .5 grain spread ) and the Win 231 showed min 2.9 to a max of 3.2 ( .3 spread) . I shot the 3 grain Titegroup, and the brass and the barrel were clean. When I shot Hornady .380 - 95 grain FMJ factory loads, there was more powder residue in the barrel. Yes I know about Copper Jacketed, I just had a brain fart. I weighed the Titegroup because it has a nickname of TiteBoom. I have plenty of time for load tasting because it is usually warm enough to shoot year round in South Carolina. I was just wanting to get input on using a Copper Jacketed bullet data with a Copper Plated bullet. These loads will be for hammer time with the S&W Bodyguard, it is a bit different than shooting my 1911 45 acp. I have a few Hornady Carry loads, and the Hornady FMJ box of 50 for carry. I have heard pros and cons on HP vs FMJ in the .380 , and I believe shot placement is paramount.

 

[Strainer]

I had to search a bit to find 380 load data to load 380 auto with plated bullets and W231.
In my case I was loading 100gr plated, a bit heavier than your 95 gr plated.
The closest l could find was 100 gr *jacketed* load data of 2.5 gr start and 3.3max HP38 (same as/substitute for W231) in Hornady 9th. Hodgdon calls for a min/max of 2.9/3.1 gr Win231/HP38 in 100gr Hdy *FMJ*.
Common rule of thumb is to use mid load jacketed data as max load for plated.
I settled on 2.7gr Win 231 under a 100 gr Berrys or X-treme plated bullet, and have been satisfied shooting same in a S&W Bodyguard 380. I set my max as 2.9gr, but see no need to load that high, especially as the 2.7 gr W231 load for 100 gr plated is adapted from a different bullet type, Regarding the possibility of adapting to your 95 gr plated, it is generally accepted as safe to use load data for a heavier bullet for slightly lighter bullet of the same construction (although *not* the reverse); so this information may be a useful data point for you. All the usual disclaimers apply, use at your own risk, verify load data from published data, and use your own judgment. The Hodgdon data is available online for free; the Latest Hornady data is available at their website for a small fee.
Small case capacity in 380, and not a big range from min to max, as you have observed, so good idea to stay conservative and be careful with powder charge etc. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[Dudedog]

Like I stated in my first post, I chose Titegroup because it showed the largest span of start 2.7 to a max of 3.2 grains load ( .5 grain spread )

95 GR. SPR FMJ Hodgdon CFE Pistol .355" .970" 3.7 822 12,000 PSI 4.2 986 19,500 PSI .5
95 GR. SPR FMJ Winchester AutoComp .355" .970" 3.9 816 10,600 CUP 4.3 937 14,100 CUP .4
95 GR. SPR FMJ Hodgdon Universal .355" .970" 3.1 814 12,500 CUP 3.5 901 15,500 CUP .4
95 GR. SPR FMJ Winchester 231 .355" .970" 2.9 802 13,100 CUP 3.2 884 15,400 CUP .3
95 GR. SPR FMJ Hodgdon HP-38 .355" .970" 2.9 802 13,100 CUP 3.2 884 15,400 CUP .3
95 GR. SPR FMJ Hodgdon Titegroup .355" .970" 2.7 796 10,600 CUP 3.2 953 15,600 CUP .5
95 GR. SPR FMJ Winchester 572 .355" .970" 3.5 785 13,700 PSI 4.2 982 19,900 PSI .7 (side note in 9mm I never got close to listed vels with 572 where other Hodgdon powders were close in my gun)
95 GR. SPR FMJ Winchester 244 .355" .970" 3.2 848 14,800 PSI 3.7 995 19,600 PSI .5

Yes as much as the others but I would say CFE-P is far more forgiving than Titegroup.

 

[derek45]

I use win231 for 380

 

[mstreddy]

Another vote for Win 231 for the .380.

 

[gonoles_1980]

xtreme says high end lead or mid-range jacketed for their plated, 3.0 Titegroup 95 grain plated 2.9-3.0 looks like mid-range on the Hodgdon site. I use 100 grain plated bullets with HP-38 in my .380.

 

[The Car Doctor]

I use 2.8 grains of red dot with 100g Berry's plated bullets. They shoot great!

 

[Blazer56]

+1 for 2.8 grains of Red Dot. I use 105 grain flat point from Bayou Bullets.

 

[Wis-Harpo]

I forgot that I have a pound of Red Dot that I was going to use in my 12 Gauge for shooting Trap, Sporting Clays and Skeet. So if what Strainer says is true ( I have heard that before somewhere) I could use 2.8 Red Dot for 95 grain Everglades Plated Bullets. Where is the data for the Red Dot loading ??? THANKS for all of the help from you guys on this site. I have mostly been reading posts and answers lately, and I knew someone would come through with valid info.

 

[Seymour380]

I forgot that I have a pound of Red Dot that I was going to use in my 12 Gauge for shooting Trap, Sporting Clays and Skeet. So if what Strainer says is true ( I have heard that before somewhere) I could use 2.8 Red Dot for 95 grain Everglades Plated Bullets. Where is the data for the Red Dot loading ??? THANKS for all of the help from you guys on this site. I have mostly been reading posts and answers lately, and I knew someone would come through with valid info.

Lyman published data for Red Dot and 380 ACP is the most reliable I have found. 2.0 - 2.7 grs. Red Dot with 95 gr. FMJ is what I could find in my Lyman manual. 2.8 grs. sounds too hot to me. My 95 gr. TMJ RN Speer bullet load is 2.4 grs. of Red Dot.

 

[Wis-Harpo]

THANKS for more needed .380 reloading data Seymore 380. I think I have a LYMAN manual some where , the reloading room gremlins must have hid the manual again. I always like to start low and work up. Red Dot is a bulkier powder than Titegroup and easier to see a double load, even though I hand weigh each case. I don't want any multi-directional metal pieces flying after an extra loud BOOOOM.

 

[mstreddy]

Red Dot is another good choice. A few of the members here had a few threads on loading for the 380, particularly the Glock 42. There was some good info in those.
The first part of the series on reloading for the Glock 42 should give some good pointers.
Several good data points there.

 

[Dudedog]

Alliant 2002 Max shown reduce 10% to start
(easier to read if you zoom in your browser)

 

[Wis-Harpo]

Dudedog, very helpful list of loadings with speed and PSI values. THANKS