[Dirty Bob]

Greetings,

I recently picked up a 105-gr., 358 semiwadcutter mould, with the intent of sizing the bullets down slightly for use in .380ACP. These will be fired in a Makarov.

Any advice, tips, suggestions?

I do NOT plan to go for maximum velocity. I'd rather have a little less speed and some more safety and less strain on the pistol.

I'm planning to seat the bullets so the OAL is just under maximum, at least to start, though I'd thought of seating until leading edge of the bore-width part of the SWC is even with the mouth of the case, and just the reduced part is sticking out. Any thoughts on seating?

I love the idea of SWC bullets in an autopistol. I hope to carry the Makarov as a trail pistol, and a lead SWC just seemed like a good choice.

Thanks,
Dirty Bob

[pauli]

Advice for loading SWCs for 380ACP

These will be fired in a Makarov.

o_O

[Dirty Bob]

Yo, Pauli!

Not sure what to make of your reply... Never heard of a .380 Makarov? Some of the commercial Russian pistols are .380, but there are others who've re-barrelled the 9x18mm Maks to .380. I wouldn't do that, but I have a commercial Mak and am eager to try something in it other than jacketed factory stuff.

With the straight-line feed from mag to chamber, I think I have a good chance of making a reliable load for the pistol. Besides, it's fun to try something different!

Regards,
Bob

[Carlos]

Looking forward to the Range Report, DB.

... you've heard about the smokey candle method for fitting a bullet precisely to your barrel?

And, finally edited to add, yes it would be fun.

Range report.

Personally, I can't afford to load for something that small.

[Dirty Bob]

... you've heard about the smokey candle method for fitting a bullet precisely to your barrel?
No, I haven't. How does it work!

Personally, I can't afford to load for something that small. :scrutiny:

I'm not sure what that means, and I I'm not sure I want to know! ;)

Seriously, though, this'll be my smallest caliber to load for. I've probably loaded more .38 than anything else. I think it'll be kinda fun to load for something where 3.2 grains is a MAX load!

I plan to check all cases with a flashlight after adding powder, just to be safe.

Have a good one,
Bob