.38 cal. XTP bullets in .380ACP cases?

[Claybuster6000]

Hello:
I have a Browning BDA .380 ACP which I use as my backup carry gun. I received a bunch of Hornady HP XTP 110gr bullets in .38 caliber and am wondering if anyone has any experience loading this caliber of bullet into. 380ACP cases. They are the same diameter, but I certainly don't want to jeopardize my gun (or my hand). Thanks for any relevant input you can provide.

 

[rcmodel]

First, they are not the same diameter, or at least shouldn't be.

9mm / .380 Hornady bullets are .355".
Hornady .38/.357 bullets are .357".

They will work in .380.
('Most' but not all .380's have over-size bores anyway.)

* IF the extra .002" bullet Dia. doesn't prevent them from chambering in your gun?

* And IF your gun will feed the wider HP pointy end of the .38 bullets?

Questions you will have to answer yourself by trying them.

rc

 

[Artofgolf]

Just so I'm sure I understand, the .38 caliber XTP has a .357 diameter. Have you ever slugged your barrel of the Browning BDA?
You might consider trying some dummy rounds (no powder) to check the chambering function with that bullet in your gun.

 

[buck460XVR]

The .38 cal 110 gr XTPs are intended for .357 velocities(900-1400fps) and at 110gr bullet velocities outta a .380 will perform terminally pretty much like standard FMJs.

Will they work? Probably, but they would not be my first choice as a SD/HD bullet outta a .380. Too many other options out there that will perform better.

 

[WestKentucky]

To go a step further...follow the advice 2 posts up about dummy rounds but don't have a primer in either. A primer will push the bullet out of the case and stick it in the barrel.

Best option is to sell them and buy cast 9mm/.380 acp diameter bullets. They will still be .357 but in cast lead that's the right size for .380. That caliber I known to be slow so your best bet for defensive or target rounds is one and the same...heavy for caliber cast lead as soft as will function properly so that you get the best seal in the barrel and the best expansion in the meat.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Trade them for the proper bullets you should be using. I know HP bullets are hard to find but like mentioned above, thise bullets will probablt act like a FMJ bullet in your .380 anyway. I think loading them in a .380 Auto would be a waste of a good bullet.

Another point, a 110gr bullet is a little heavy for loading in a .380 Auto anyway, usually a 90gr jacketed bullet would make a good choice.

 

[Claybuster6000]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks to everyone for all the input. I guess I'll just load the .38 XTP bullets as fairly hot .357 mag rounds, in anticipation of the inevitable apocalypse! I'll invest in some good +p hardball ammo for the BDA as my backup SD rounds. Thanks again.

 

[Artofgolf]

I guess I'll just load the .38 XTP bullets as fairly hot .357 mag rounds, in anticipation of the inevitable apocalypse!

Good call, Claybuster6000!

 

[cfullgraf]

Many "deca-moons" ago, I loaded some Speer 38 cal 110 grain JHPs in my Beretta M84 (basically the same gun as the Browning BDA).

They worked and functioned but velocity was so low the bullets were essentially solids.

Get bullets designed for 380 ACP and use the 110 grainers in a 38 caliber gun.