More .380 Issues

Walkalong said:

They did that hard and heavy at first, but when I tested it, it was average. I was disappointed. It does shoot well/burn clean regardless of position.

Not much case space in .380, so OAL is going to make a big difference, just like 9MM, and .380 guns are not designed to take much pressure/velocity.

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You got a point there.

A better test would have maybe been in 38 spl.

lpsharp88 said:

I was able to test out my workup yesterday and think I found a load it liked. I did 10 each of 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, and 3.0gr of TiteGroup seated to .96". 2.6 was flat out horrible. Turned my G42 into a single shot haha. 2.7 functioned pretty well. 9/10 fed, ejected, and fired just fine. Only one fail to eject. 2.8 on up was flawless and recoil was minimal. So I loaded up 50 more at 2.8 and will test those out soon hopefully.

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That's a great example of a good load workup!

The Berry is a round nose and the Xtreme is flat. There may be some difference in oal as I don't adjust die between the two. The same amount of bullet seems to seat inside the case but the flat oal may be a little shorter. Been a while since I've used them.

Good job Ipsharp. Make sure you do limp-wrist/weak-hand only tests also.

I measured my 100gr fn Xtreme loads and it measures .950 and the 98gr cast load measures at .960. Both of these function flawlessly in my G42.

I also load for the Glock 42. The Extreme 100 grain plated flat point bullet with 3.0 Titegroup seated to 0.975" functions 100% and shoots into a 1-3/4" 5-shot group at 15 yards. Have not chronographed it yet.

Blue68f100 said:

TG is a powder that is very sensitive to case volume. I would do one or the other BUT NOT at the same time. If you have some all ready loaded up, it's easier to shorten the length and try them. Then on a new batch up the charge a bit if needed.

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I would do both... BUT DEFINITELY NOT ON THE SAME LOADS. Load a few with the same OAL and a bit more powder. Load a few more with the same charge but a bit shorter. See if either one makes the load more reliable. Inspect the brass for signs of over pressure. I would even load a few a bit longer then take them all out to the range and see what shots best.

.380 is one of the few calibers that I own but don't load for. I use store bought stuff in my carry weapons and when practicing at the range. I just don't enjoy shooting my LCP enough to put any more rounds through it than is need to maintain proficiency. I am not saying it isn't worth it to load .380! It is just not worth it to me.

paint the bullet with a sharpie and cycle the load through the gun (point gun in a safe direction if using a live round(no, do this regardless)). looks like the bullet is hanging up on something at the top of the barrel chamber.

my load, fwiw:



luck,

murf

I have used 2.9 and 3gr of Titegroup with a 100gr plated bullet I bought from RMR a couple years back. Bullet was a round nose and coal was .980. They were nice shooting in my LCP and my buddy's Taurus TCP

When my little Kahr .380 was new it wouldn't function with anything much lighter than a full power load.
After a couple 100 rounds it loosened up a bit.
I really like AA#2 for .380, meters great in .380 size charges. For full power stuff CFE-P gave me a bit better velocity.
Kahr .380 (short barrel) 2.5"
MIxed range brass, S+B SP, charges as thrown after setting measure. Lee dies, FCD used
(I almost have to laugh, SD on all reloads was 7 SD on factory was 7, lucky 7s)
String: 6
Date: 5/15/2016
Time: 12:47:27 PM
Grains: 90
Hi Vel: 793
Low Vel: 777
Ave Vel: 784
Ext Spread: 16
Std Dev: 7
380 3.1 #2 CMJ 100 RN
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
793 71.37 125.658
777 69.93 120.639
779 70.11 121.26
788 70.92 124.079

String: 2
Date: 8/14/2016
Time: 9:23:07 AM
Grains: 100
Hi Vel: 862
Low Vel: 843
Ave Vel: 853
Ext Spread: 19
Std Dev: 7
380 100 Xtreme RNFP 4.0 CFE-P (Note: MAX load)
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
862 77.58 148.477
843 75.87 142.004
855 76.95 146.075
850 76.5 144.372
856 77.04 146.417

Factory Federal FMJ for comparison
String: 2
Date: 8/14/2016
Time: 8:44:02 AM
Grains: 95
Hi Vel: 845
Low Vel: 826
Ave Vel: 832
Ext Spread: 19
Std Dev: 7
Federal .380 95 FMJ
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
845 80.275 150.605
828 78.66 144.606
835 79.325 147.061
829 78.755 144.955
826 78.47 143.908