.380 Auto bullet choice
- Thread starter Walkalong
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These work real well for plinking: http://www.acmebullet.com/380-Cal-Lead-Cast-Bullets-Hard-Cast
But, I like the RMR 95gr FMJs the best. https://www.rmrbullets.com/product-category/bullets/pistol/380-acp-355/ and I run them in hot loads for my 9mm carbine, too.
But, I like the RMR 95gr FMJs the best. https://www.rmrbullets.com/product-category/bullets/pistol/380-acp-355/ and I run them in hot loads for my 9mm carbine, too.
markr6754
Member
The 380 ACP is a sneaky little round. For years I shot only 9mm and 45ACP. For the most part, I only picked up my 9mm cases. I hated picking up those puny .380s by mistake and always cursed my bad luck at finding so many. Then, Browning decided to make The Perfect Firearm...John Moses Browning’s classic firearm chambered in John Moses Browning’s cartridge. Thus, the Browning 1911-380 was born. As a 1911 fanboy my interest was piqued. I obsessed over this combination until discovering the RIA Baby Rock, 1911-M1. Naturally, loading what I shoot, I had a sudden need for 380ACP cases and small .355/.356 projectiles to load them. Members of this forum contributed the .380 ACP cases that I required, and Bullets.com going out of business sale provided 1000s of suitable bullets...Sierra 95gr Flat Points (8105), Berry’s 100gr CPRN and 100gr HBRN. Next thing I knew I had 2 Bersas, 2 Kimber Micro 380s, 2 Springfield 911s, and the Baby Rock.
However, it was the Everglades Ammo 95gr JHP that drove the Kimber and Springfield purchases, as that is such a nice projectile. Who’d have guessed that a $100 bullet order would end up costing me nearly $2,000?
I’ve loaded these bullets with VV N320, HP-38, Universal, CFE-Pistol, VV 3N37, and recently VV N330 (since N320 is nearly impossible to find).
Yep...that sneaky little .380ACP nearly took over my shooting life. Thankfully, I have a new .40 S&W that I’m anxious to finish breaking in...once a range...any range...opens up again.
However, it was the Everglades Ammo 95gr JHP that drove the Kimber and Springfield purchases, as that is such a nice projectile. Who’d have guessed that a $100 bullet order would end up costing me nearly $2,000?
I’ve loaded these bullets with VV N320, HP-38, Universal, CFE-Pistol, VV 3N37, and recently VV N330 (since N320 is nearly impossible to find).
Yep...that sneaky little .380ACP nearly took over my shooting life. Thankfully, I have a new .40 S&W that I’m anxious to finish breaking in...once a range...any range...opens up again.
Yes, both very interesting firearms.
I felt the same way years ago when I walked into a local shop and saw the Llama IIIA. I think I paid $125 after tax for it in 2006.
The new Llama 380 is made in the Philippines. I wonder if the new Llama, Browning, and Rock are made in the same Philippine factory.
I wouldn't mind finding a Star DK or Colt Pony . The Pony was assembled by Colt with Star DK parts in the US. I also like the Colt Mustang and Sig P238.
Now back to bullet selection: 95-100 grain plated or coated bullets work great for plinking/range ammo. Pick a brand and one of the powders all ready mentioned and have fun.
I had a Llama in .380 many years ago, traded it for a Llama in .32 ACP and never looked back (Sold it recently). I have discriminated against the .380 long enough. Just because I liked .32 ACP better, is no reason not to have a .380, or for that matter, more than one .380. Time will tell.
I had ordered some Federal 95 gr JSPs from Midway a few years ago to try in my speedy 9MM load, on sale or over runs or something from Midway. Shot decent in that application, but the RMRs, the TJConeveras, and especially the Sierra overruns shot better. So I stuck them back and when my FIL gave the Pico to my wife I loaded up some of the federals in .380. I still have a few loaded and 255 left I can load.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I use my buddies reloading set up
380 is the only round I don't like to reload. Too small for my old fingers and eyes.
Last time he helped me we used 95 grain with unique.
380 is the only round I don't like to reload. Too small for my old fingers and eyes.
Last time he helped me we used 95 grain with unique.
markr6754
Member
Those look like factory, very nice. I may have to break down and use my stimulus money for a set of those. My wife likes the Bersa, and I think the laser could help her get on target more often.
I use xtreme 100 gr flat nose copper plated bullets. $35 for 500. I too don't own a firearm chambered in .380 but have dies and loaded it for someone. That might change because I want the bersa and LCP 2 in the near future. I have several thousand brass and an unopened box of 500 bullets.
Ernie Bass
member
While I love the small 380's and do not have a Bersa 380 but do have the Bersa 22. I have to say I have always loved how that gun feels in the hand. Not to mention it is a cool looking gun.
My brothers and I shot the Bersa, a P-365, and a P-229 at a full sized Silhouette earlier today. I aimed the Bersa, but point shot my P-365. They shot all three. We also shot at a 18 yard target, and a 53 yard target. The silhouette target was at 10 yards.
Laser worked well, we could even see it on the 53 yard target hen the sun went behind the clouds.
Laser worked well, we could even see it on the 53 yard target hen the sun went behind the clouds.
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rskent
Member
I have been using Berrys plated or Acme coated over 4.8 grains of AA#5. YMMV
I had the opportunity to compare them side by side, along with my Kimber Micro 380, at Handgun Haven a couple of years ago. I feel foolish for not having taken pictures, However, I didn't expect this to come up as often as it does.
The Kimber Micro 380 (and the similar Sig and Springfield, and of course, Mustangs) are clearly based on the Colt 380 Government Model. Along with a Kimber Micro 380 I have a 380 Government model, that I purchased new and I still have the box and receipt. They are so similar that the Kimber slide functions on the Colt lower. This makes sense when one considers the Patents for the Government model hit their expiration date just as the current wave of Micro 1911 style 380s' hit the market. All of these use a Hi-Power style delay.
The Baby Rock is clearly based on the Llama. The position of the extractor is a clear giveaway. Both of these pistols are straight blowback. They are both much heavier than the others here. It was also apparent that they were cheaper, not just because they are blowback, but the general machining.
I also have a Browning 1911-380. It uses a link similar to that found on a standard 1911 to achieve its delay. It is nothing like the Baby Rock and Llama. It is lighter and conspicuously of a different design. Unlike all of th others here, the 1911-380 is the most like a scaled-down series 80 1911.
The Baby rock would fit between the 380 Government model and the 1911-380
I was wondering on the new Llama, Rock and the Browning. Thanks for the information. I do know that the early Llama IIIA's used a link just like a true 1911 and the Browning, the later ones are blow back. My Llama IIIA is blow back but still reliable and accurate. I've been thinking about a new one to let the Llama stay in the safe.
And yes the Colt, Kimber, Sig, and Springfield are all based on the original Star DK. Colt used Star DK parts for their Pony. Colt made some changes when they started using their own parts and came out with the Mustang which all others are based on.
And yes the Colt, Kimber, Sig, and Springfield are all based on the original Star DK. Colt used Star DK parts for their Pony. Colt made some changes when they started using their own parts and came out with the Mustang which all others are based on.
I remember when Sig first came out with the P238. Folks at the 1911 Forum were all trying out the parts on theri Mustangs and most of them fit very well. The bigest change was the sear spring/mainspring. In this picture you can just see a bit of the mainspring under the sear spring. You had to remove the sear spring to get to the mainspring. There was no removable housing on the back of the grip.
These are pictures of the Sig P938 sear spring/mainspring housing. The P238 did very well with a plastic mainspring housing and a small plastic detent holding the sear spring. Didn't work as well for the 9mm P938. The shock of the heavier round wore away at the detent and the sear spring could migrate upward and lock up the pistol.
Sig upgraded the sear spring and mainspring housing after a couple of years of problems and they seem to be working well now.
Dave
Weflyfast
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As far as bullet performance in the 380 .....I was never able to drive the HPs hard enough to have the HPs open much...so I just stuck with FMJs as they seemed to feed better in my gun.... has anybody done any testing with HPs in the 380 and would you share your findings?
1KPerDay
Member
This might be helpful if you haven't seen it yet. https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP
PWC
Member
If you have a Bersa, you might have trouble with the trigger guard cutting into / cutting the top of your "waving finger". I used an arkansas stone to "break" the edge and it felt so good I rounded the whole edge.
Weflyfast
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Exellent....thank you
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