Bullet type recommendations and a 380?

I am fixing to place an order for some bullets to load up and I am trying to save some cash in the process. Buying premium HP bullets for hunting cost an arm and a leg when I can find them. Then there are plated bullets that are cheaper but I'm not sure about the legality of using them for hunting when FMJ bullets are not allowed in this state. I found some TCFP lead bullets from MBC that might work in an automatic but I can not find any load data for any of the bullet weights available using lead bullets and Longshot powder. The LGS have been out of all pistol powders except for Longshot for awhile now. What I want to do is develop some loads that that works well in my guns that I can use the same bullet and for plinking, practice or hunting without breaking the bank. I need a recommendation for a bullet type for an all purpose round that uses Longshot powder in 40 S&W that is low in cost. Second question has to do the 380 round and the lack of powders around here. My Dad got a 380 for his birthday and is having a time finding cheap practice ammo for it so I was going to get setup to load up some for him but since the only pistol powder I have is longshot I am lost on how to do that since I can not find any data using longshot for a 380 and I would hate to have to locate and buy a can of powder just for one caliber. The two powders I have, one rifle, one pistol, I chose do to the fact they could be used for every modern gun we have in the house. The 380 throws a monkey wrench into that plan if it can not be loaded with longshot powder, any suggestions on where load data for 380 with longshot or a place to get cheap practice ammo for his gun?

jwrowland77 said:

Berrys hollow base round nose. Great bullet

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I have some of their bullets loaded up in 180 grain but not sure if plated bullets are considered fmj bullets or not. If they are I can't use them for hunting bullets too.

No the lead bullets are for the 40 s&w I'll probably use XTP bullets for the 380. Right now he has a box of XTP rounds and a box of FMJ rounds for the 380 Bersa Thunder both are 95 grains and 25 to a box and over a buck a round counting tax for the two boxes. Been looking at my manual if I can not use longshot for the 380's or for the 40 S&W lead rounds hopefully I can find some Ram zip or R True Blue, that can be used for not only the 380 loads but for my lead rounds for the 40 as well.

rcmodel said:

Are you talking about .380 ACP caliber pistol like you posted the question about?

Or a .308 Rifle??

rc

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Sorry about the confusion. There is two questions in the OP. First is a cheap universal bullet type that can be used for both plinking and hunting/SD in one bullet preferably with longshot powder for our larger caliber guns, 357 Mag, 44 Rem Mag, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP which means no FMJ bullets types. The two Magnum are both revolvers for now but a Desert Eagle is in the works for a future hunting handgun.

The second part was concerning the 380 ACP round for Dads new Bersa Thunder Limited Edition in 380 auto. I need either some load data using longshot powder for the 380 auto before I buy bullets for it or a place that I can get some cheap practice rounds till I can get some powder for it that will work for it and the lead rounds for the other pistols so I am not using the one powder for just one gun that will not get shot that often.

rcmodel said:

Longshot powder isn't going to work in .380 ACP with any bullet weight.

rc

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I figured as much since I couldn't find any load data for it. Know where to find any load data for lead bullets with longshot till I can find one of the other two powders that will work for both the lead 40 cal bullets and the 380 rounds? Have not ordered the Lead bullets yet so grain weigh is optional right now. GRAF has four weighs in stock for the 40 S&W right now in lead, 140, 170, 180, & 200 grain. If any of these have load data using longshot I'll order some of the lead bullet if you can not use longshot with lead I'll have no choice but to order some HP bullets that cost twice as much per round.

thefish said:

Check out xtreme for your 380 bullets. They make a quality bullet for pretty cheap. I use them for 9mm and .223

http://www.xtremebullets.com/

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I do check them out too when I am looking for bullets thanks.
I can get bullets for reloading at my LGS for the 380 it is getting powder to reload them that is the problem. I even have some bullets on hand that I can use to load them up once I get some powder and some brass for it. Have a 380 die set in the cart for my order. I went ahead and ordered 250 bullets of JHP for the 40 for now. Once I find some Ram Zip or R True Blue locally I'll order some lead bullets to try out for the 40. For those that do load lead bullets for their 40 S&W semiautomatic pistols what type is best to use with one of the two above powders?

hartcreek said:

For the .40 I would be ordering from one of the guys here that casts and powdercoats If I didnt cast. For .380 I cast my own using the Lee 105 grain mold.

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One of these days I will start casting my own but for now I am still getting things that I don't have and still need or want. I also have not loaded any cast bullets as yet.

mstreddy said:

OP, I know that now is not a great time to be looking for powder. But, you may want to consider expanding your list/search of pistol powders to include Unique, Win231/HP38, Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, and Power Pistol. All of these do have uses in 40 and 380. There may be others, so you may want to check your data sources.
I have tried to limit my powder stash to only one of each for rifle and pistol, but due to the range of calibers I load it's impossible, but I do try to buy the powders that will work across a broader range of calibers vs one that will only work for one or two applications. In pistol I load for 380, 9mm, 38 Special, 38 Super, 357 Mag, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 Colt (soon). W231 covers all well, except 357, Unique would too. Since the shortage I have worked with WST for 9, 38spec, and 40, and will use it in 45 ACP. Similarly I picked up some Red Dot/Promo and will use it to keep until the 231 shows up again.
If you are only loading for the 40 and the 380 then you may want to check further to see what powders are available locally for you.

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The reason I was looking at those two powders was it was the only two listed for the 115 grain bullet in the 380 Auto and also worked for cast bullets in the 40. The list of calibers we have here in pistol are .25, .380, 9mm, 38 special, 357 Mag, 44 Rem Mag, 45 ACP, & 45 Long Colt. Right now I have dies and supplies for the 9mm, 38 spc, 357, 44, & 45 ACP. The only powders I have is H-4350 & Longshot. I have been looking out for some H-4895 locally. Till now longshot has worked for all the rounds I loaded up. I will probably never load for the 25 since it never gets used or shot much if at all and will probably get used as a trade in on another small handgun that can be used as a carry gun for my sister with a larger caliber possibly another 380. We do have several 22LR and a 22 Mag but those are for target practice mostly and not a reloading round. Using the 115 XTP bullets and 115 FMJ bullets I am using for the 9mm for the 380 will save from having to two different bullets of the same size but different weights to keep track of and sorted.

bds said:

If you are looking for 380 FMJ/JHP bullets, Montana Gold Bullet sells both 95 gr FMJ/JHP bullets - http://montanagoldbullet.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=380+Auto

I also use X-Treme 100 gr plated RNFP bullets and outlined my range test in this thread compared to factory 91 gr FMJ - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=748320

If you want any more testing done with 95 gr JHP/100 gr RNFP and different powders, let me know.

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Thanks, it will probably be awhile before I start loading up the 380's even after the dies get here for lack of powders for it and have to find some brass. With only 50 rounds on hand and can't find any cheap rounds to practice with Dad is not shooting it till he has more ammo. He got it on the 26 of last month and has shot 7 rounds out of it. I wish I lived near a range that I had access to the range pickup. Might spend a few days at my sister's place in Nashville and see what I can find.

mstreddy said:

OP, since you have the other calibers, you will really need to think of having additional powders. Particularly since Longshot isn't recommended in 380.
I would also suggest that you rethink the 115s for the 380. There is load data, but they are heavy for caliber and will further limit your options on powder type and load range. Not to mention possible chambering issues. I'm sure someone that has done it can pipe in with suggestions on how to make it work.

It really isn't that difficult. Keep the bullets in their packaging, mark them clearly and load appropriately. I have a stash of 9mm bullets in 115, 124/125, 147 (two different profiles), 125 lead, 135 (for 38 Super), 95 and 100 (380). Not to mention the 38 (357) caliber options. When in doubt as to the bullets, place them on the scale.
JMHO so YMMV. And all the other standard disclaimers.

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Being on disability funds are limited so I truly to cut cost as much as I can. My LGS keeps 115 grain bullets on hand and has them by the case if I could afford to buy them that way so having one bullet for both loads saves money because it cost less per round buying in bulk.
I get paid the first week of the month and every month after paying my bills I check the local stores for powder, both for the rifle powder I am looking for and other pistol powders. Till the 380 "monkey wrench" got thrown in the works I have not needed any other type pistol powder other than Longshot powder because there was data using it in every caliber I load up till now. So now I have to find a powder that will not only work for the 380 but can be used for cast bullets for the other calibers I load up. Mainly the only rounds I'll be loading with lead are my 40 and the three revolver loads, 38 special, 357 Mag, and the 44 Rem Mag. I use 158 grain bullets in the 38/357 and I load up 180 grain bullets for the 44 because that is what my brother wants loaded in it. My 40 S&W I have been loading 180 grain Berry plated bullets but my factory rounds have been ether 155 grain HP or 165 FMJ.

Till I can find a powder that will work well for the 380 Jacketed or plated rounds and at least the 40 cast rounds I am stuck. Since I can't find any powder right now I just ordered me 250 Nolser JHP bullets to work up a new load with for now.