.380 (9mm KURZ)

[Old Grumpy]

I just got 100 new Starline cases today and I am waiting for the bullets (100gr LRN). When I get all of my components I'm going to work up a few loads for my Sig 232.

While I've never loaded the .380 I do load .45acp (and other calibers). My question is:

The basics appear the same for the .380 as for the .45acp. If I make sure my charge weights are accurate, the OAL is within specs, and the crimp is right is there anything "special" or "unique" about the .380 that I should watch for?

I'll be using W231 and will stay close to middle range of load weights.

Grumpy

 

[56hawk]

Not much difference other than size. Not sure about the 100 grain bullets, but I tried loading 115s and they bulge the case too much to fit in some of my guns.

 

[rcmodel]

I use 3.8 Unique with a 100 Berry plated with good results.
Your 100 grain lead bullets should respond as well.

rc

 

[cfullgraf]

All above about covered it. The small 380 ACP case and small bullet can make handling them interesting as they go into and out of the press.

Just take your time.

 

[Starter52]

I would agree that handloading .380 is a lot like loading .45 ACP. For a .380 range load I use 3.6 grains of WW231 with a .355" Montana Gold 95 grain FMJ. Works for me.

 

[1KPerDay]

My P230 likes loads in the higher range to cycle reliably and lock the slide back. And Red Dot more than HP-38/Win231, at least in my preliminary testing. But as for actual loading, the process is the same, just takes some more care handling those tiny brass cases.

I can't imagine loading .25 ACP

 

[rcmodel]

PS: Some Federal .380 cases have an internal shoulder designed to prevent bullet set-back during feeding.

You may have problems seating 100 grain bullets deep enough in them without case bulging.

rc

 

[Shimitup]

Make sure you have a loading block with shallow holes. Those tiny cases will drive you nuts trying to dig out of a tray with deep holes.

 

[06]

Love my 380 loads. Use them in a 232 Sig. Have used 95 and 100 gr. loads. As always, before placing boolits check your powder level with a good light. The mags are real sensitive about oversized boolits so I send cast boolits through a sizer just to make sure.

 

[Old Grumpy]

I have some mixed range brass (about 50 rounds) that I plan on using to start with. After I start to zero in on a load I'll use new Starline brass.

I know what you mean about being tiny, my fingers are just a tad bit too fat to easily handle the cases.

 

[kingmt]

.1gn makes more difference in the 380 then the 45ACP. Watch out for unsupported chambers.

 

[Walkalong]

I used AA #2 in .380 because it metered so well and seemed to shoot as well as anything else. In general it works well in little cases using tiny charges.

 

[Claude Clay]

dillon sq deal and 95 gr LRN.
bullseye cause most 380's are short bbl...and i haved a lot of it.
2.6gr of bullseye will run the guns and is very soft, so good for getting anyone who is recoil sensitive started.
3.0 replicated most standard factory rounds.
3.3gr is a +p and may be harsh with some guns. but it replicates most SD rounds.

 

[gamestalker]

Sorry about getting off topic here. I just had to laugh cause someone said "can't imagine loading 25 acp". I laughed because I can't imagine wanting to own a 25 acp. Many years ago I bought a 25 acp and when I fired it for the first time using some expensive jacketed SD ammo with a target taped to a piece of 1/4" plywood, the bullet just bounced off the plywood from 10 or so feet away.

GS

 

[1KPerDay]

LOL
I have one (FN 1905), but don't reload for it yet. My kids love to shoot it.

 

[kingmt]

I had a 25 for a week one time. It wouldn't penatrat a paint can so I traded it for a car radio. The radio didn't work when I got home. I still haven't figured out which of us got burnt in the deal.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The small 380 ACP case and small bullet can make handling them interesting as they go into and out of the press.

You should try .25 Auto. lol. The biggest pain is charging cases; Most measures don't go that low. I've loaded a fair amount of .25, and it's as tedious as the .17's.

Many years ago I bought a 25 acp and when I fired it for the first time using some expensive jacketed SD ammo with a target taped to a piece of 1/4" plywood, the bullet just bounced off the plywood from 10 or so feet away.

Not buying it. .25 ACP FMJ will easily penetrate a pine 2x4. I'm down to 2 of them at the moment, but have owned the better part of a dozen. I wouldn't use them for SD when I have better options, but make no mistake, the pipsqueak round can certainly be lethal.

 

[Samari Jack]

You should try .25 Auto. lol. The biggest pain is charging cases; Most measures don't go that low. I've loaded a fair amount of .25, and it's as tedious as the .17's.



Not buying it. .25 ACP FMJ will easily penetrate a pine 2x4. I'm down to 2 of them at the moment, but have owned the better part of a dozen. I wouldn't use them for SD when I have better options, but make no mistake, the pipsqueak round can certainly be lethal.

Maybe if you throw it at the perp. When I was a paramedic, we had a drunk guy from a bar fight. Shot over his right eye. The bullet tracked under his scalp between bone and skin and exited out the back of his head. Really freaked everyone out till we got an X-Ray. The guy checked himself out AMA (against medical advice).

I don't know who was luckiest, the shooter who was taken to jail or the "victim" we got.

God was definitely on this guy's side.

 

[kingmt]

I met a guy about a week ago that said he had a 25 in the back of his head. I didn't verify it but he gave me the name of the guy that stood trial.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

off the OP's topic but a feller I know from years back was a former NC hiway patrolman. got shot dead center of forehead above eyes w/a .25acp on a late night traffic stop. the slug stuck in his skull. lucky? I would'nt volunteer to try it out on me.
to the post I have a .380acp and load 100gr lrn for practice over RDot.
awhile back used a jewelers saw to make an 'X' in the slug loaded over a max charge of RDot then fired into wet stacked cardboard. chewed an impressive channel pretty well from around 12' distance

 

[Old Grumpy]

there are several nice looking JHP on the market that will expand nicely at .380 velocities. I'll perfect my skills with the 100gr LRN before I try out the more expensive bullets.

I've been known to screw up a few during the development process. :banghead:

 

[MachIVshooter]

Shot over his right eye. The bullet tracked under his scalp between bone and skin and exited out the back of his head.

I don't mean to derail this thread, but there are anecdotal cases for all kinds of rounds doing similar things. .45 slugs gashing foreheads and not entering the skull, etc. It happens, and it most likely happens a lot more often with the .25 ACP. However, there are also a lot of people pushin' up daisies on account of such peashooters. WWI was started with the "shot heard round the world" when the archduke was killed by a lowly .32 ACP.

They're to be respected the same as any other firearm.

 

[RhinoDefense]

3.2gr W231 is your answer.

 

[whtsmoke]

OldGrumpy what part of central Lincoln Land are you in? I have a Lyman mold for a truncated nose 95 grain bullet, it looks like a 402 that drank too much coffee when it was young and it stunted its growth.