Powder Choice for .380

Status
Not open for further replies.
Potatohead and/or Scarpia; what weight of 7625 are you using for 380? I'm trying to load a Berry's 100grain HBRN for 380 and I've only got 700X and 7625 available.
 
drband said:
Shot my first loads with Accurate #2, 95gr FMJ out of my Bersa T380 today. Lower power load was more accurate. Both loads cycled just fine w/ no issues. Got to try with plated bullets next!
Click to expand...
I have had great luck & accuracy with AA#2 and Berrys 100gr copperplate round noze hollow base in my Bersa Firestorm 380auto, starting load per accurate arms data, work up to accurate group. HINT: closer to max load = less accurate.
jell-dog
 
jell-dog said:
I have had great luck & accuracy with AA#2 and Berrys 100gr copperplate round noze hollow base in my Bersa Firestorm 380auto, starting load per accurate arms data, work up to accurate group. HINT: closer to max load = less accurate.

jell-dog
Click to expand...


I have found that to be true with all of my AA#2 loads. In 38 special my bullseye load is .1grain below start. In 45 acp I have two loads now, one is about 70% up the load range, the other runs close to max for knocking over bowling pins. It isn't as accurate but it's good enough.
 
ljnowell said:
I have found that to be true with all of my AA#2 loads. In 38 special my bullseye load is .1grain below start. In 45 acp I have two loads now, one is about 70% up the load range, the other runs close to max for knocking over bowling pins. It isn't as accurate but it's good enough.
Click to expand...


I have found ( in my extremely limited experience) the same characteristic. My best .380 load is right at start, 9mm was mid range as was .45. This powder sure does meter well!
 
ljnowell said:
My experience is that finer powders such as AA pistol powders are closer to the chart than flakes. The bigger the flakes the worse it is. With 700x I had to go three bigger I think to get it. Power pistol is usually two, sometimes three.
Click to expand...
yeah, but with other large flake powders like Red Dot and american Select and Herco my PAD throws very consistently within .2 grains of the chart. It's weird.
 
drband said:
Bersa Thunder .380
I'm using Accurate #2, but want to try Red Dot & Unique if I can figure out how to get them to meter small charges in my Lee ProAutoDisc.
Click to expand...
I have been using a Pro Auto-Disk for over 9 years now for handgun loading and while I do like the system, like all systems it has it's shortcomings. I bought the Adjustable Charge Bar but as we all now know that does not handle very small charges well without modifying the Charge Bar. I then bought the Lee Micro-Disk which works very well with small charges. Unfortunately Lee decided sales were not high enough to replace their worn out mold and discontinued it years ago. Enter the free market enraptures. There is a company making them and the one I saw was well made. You might want to buy one and give it a try. http://www.ezorchid.com/CustomCast/CustomCast.htm

If not, you could always modify one of your disks with a brass screw like many of the members here have already done. That also works very well so you do have options. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=741988&highlight=disk+mod
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I have been using a Pro Auto-Disk for over 9 years now for handgun loading and while I do like the system, like all systems it has it's shortcomings. I bought the Adjustable Charge Bar but as we all now know that does not handle very small charges well without modifying the Charge Bar. I then bought the Lee Micro-Disk which works very well with small charges. Unfortunately Lee decided sales were not high enough to replace their worn out mold and discontinued it years ago. Enter the free market enraptures. There is a company making them and the one I saw was well made. You might want to buy one and give it a try. http://www.ezorchid.com/CustomCast/CustomCast.htm



If not, you could always modify one of your disks with a brass screw like many of the members here have already done. That also works very well so you do have options. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=741988&highlight=disk+mod
Click to expand...


I've ordered a micro disk from Titan reloading. Will report on how it works out.
Titan Micro Charge. T302

Also may try the screw in disk as noted above. Looks promising.
 
1KPerDay said:
yeah, but with other large flake powders like Red Dot and american Select and Herco my PAD throws very consistently within .2 grains of the chart. It's weird.
Click to expand...


I have three if them now and none of mine throw anywhere close to the chart with large flake powders. You can get them closer by tapping on them and doing stuff like that but I don't like relying on that for proper operation.
 
Depends on the gun really. I have a Makarov .380 and my wife has a Glock 42.

The Mak will eat anything I feed it. I've had good results with Bullseye, 700-X, and Red-Dot.

The Glock is picky. So far it seems to like Bullseye the best (at max load anything less and it won't have enough power to cycle).

I find that the cheap Lee "perfect" powder measure does a good job of metering these powders. I have no experience with the auto disk...
 
i've used bullseye and unique in the past with great results. i'm also wanting to try aa#2 sometime
dennis
 
For the .380 my first choice is W231, second is Bullseye, and third choice is Titegroup. And they're all pretty close.
I have on hand but have not tested BE-86 and N320............yet.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

ulflyer
  • Locked
Down to Clays and 100gr Plated 380's... What 9mm Load?
Replies
4
Views
464
Dudedog
Dudedog
KYregular
  • Locked
.380 powder choice
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
Walkalong
Walkalong
D
  • Locked
Loading 380 Help
Replies
3
Views
646
DDawg
D
C
  • Locked
Best all around powder
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
coalman
C
S
  • Locked
Preferred load for .380 with 95 Grain FMJ Bullets and Power Pistol Powder?
Replies
6
Views
3K
slowr1der
S
Back
Top