.380 ACP Powder Recomendations

[BigBlack]

Okay going to Savannah tomorrow and will be picking up my H335 powder if they have it in stock for my 223. H322 and BL(c)-2 are my second choices.

Now with fuel prices I am going to go ahead and pick up some powder for my 380 ACP that I will be loading in a month or so. What do you guys suggest? I plan on using 85-95 grain jacketed bullets some JHP and some FMJ. The gun is a Tarus Semi Auto PT 58 S

Thanks

 

[Bear2000]

I'm looking forward to someone's answer, as I plan on starting to reload for 380 this weekend. I have Bullseye, VVN320, and Titegroup on hand, and am sure hoping one of those works because I don't feel like buying something else!

 

[Bear2000]

Here is some MAX load data for the 380. Looks like VV N320 and Bullseye will do just fine.

http://www.reloadammo.com/380auto.htm

 

[zxcvbob]

I have Bullseye, VVN320, and Titegroup on hand, and am sure hoping one of those works

I don't load for .380 yet, but all 3 of your powders should work great. Bullseye will give you the highest velocity without exceeding SAAMI specs, and it's probably cheaper than the VV.

 

[ants]

I really didn't get consistent chrono numbers with Bullseye. Titegroup did just fine, worked best with soft loads and got inconsistent with heavier loads. Clays required such a small charge that I couldn't get my measure to throw it consistently. HP38 has been the best, up and down the chrono range. W231 is the same as HP38.

I've used these powders with 100 grain and 115 grain round nose copper plated, and 115 grain Hornady XTP. You can push the XTP fast enough for an effective self defense load, although I prefer fmj at mid velocity for defense in 380acp.

You make your own choice for your pistol. Reloading 380 is fun, go try it.

 

[Dave R]

I have tried TiteGroup and Unique. I like Unique better.

Titegroup is so efficient that the charges are really small. Hard to throw them consistently that small. I got velocity variation. Unique is dirtier, but was easier to throw consistently, and filled the case better.

I clean my guns, so the dirtier powder doesn't bother me.

 

[rg1]

I've got good results with Accurate Arms #2 using their data.

 

[Claude Clay]

bullseye

for use in a short bbl it is fast burning. accurate also

 

[RNG]

W231 is a great powder for the .380. If you don't mind me asking, where in Savannah are you buying your powder? I'm in Beaufort and get my w231 at the Pawn shop on Dean Forrest.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[BigBlack]

Richard, BassPro is the only place I have shopped at there. Were is this pawn shop and how are their prices?

 

[ravnew]

Tried Bullseye, Titegroup and Unigue for my 380 loads. Unigue gave the best accuracy in my Sig P232

 

[Pilot]

I use HP38 or W231 under a 95 grain copper washed bullet.

 

[RidgwayCO]

When considering the desirable characteristics of accurate metering, strong velocities, low flash, and low extreme spreads/standard deviations, I've found nothing better than Accurate Arms #2 in the .380 Auto.

 

[RNG]

BigBlack,

Dean Forest Gun & Pawn on Dean Forest Road in Garden City. I was there a month ago and WSP primers were about $23.00, WLP's were around $24. They've since gone up about $2.00 respectively. One pound container of w231 was around $18.00.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Clark]

I like Power Pistol and 90 gr for the little wimpy Kel-Tec 380.

I like Power Pistol and 158 gr for the macho Browning 380.

 

[Walkalong]

Another AA #2 fan here.

Bear2000: All the powders you listed will work just fine.

BigBlack: I would get some AA #2. W231 works very well too. N320 should work great, but never tried it for .380.

 

[dannyabear]

I like 231 for plinking and power pistol for max loads

 

[putteral]

3.2 grs of titegroup with a 90gr XTP in my PPK/S works for me. I also like 231 and Red Dot for .380

 

[RecoilRob]

Another vote for 231. In such a small case with a tiny amount of powder, having one that meters accurately is important. 231 always drops the same....something that cannot be said for the flake-type powders like Unique and Bullseye.

Even though many powders have burn rates that will work well, I'd look for consistancy in the little case over all other factors.

 

[JohnMcD348]

I'm still kinda new to reloading and haven't stretched out my choices alot for my reloads. I started with W231 for most of my pitsol loads and have been very pleased with everything I've loaded.

 

[Bear2000]

Well, I just loaded my first small batch (18 rounds) of .380 ammunition for my new Ruger LCP. I went with an 88 gr Remington JHP, 2.9 gr of VV N320, Winchester primer at 0.945". I started at .975", and then decided to try a dummy round in the chamber. Too long, apparently. So I measured the Federal hydra-shock 90 grain and MagTech self-defense ammunition I plan on testing tomorrow as well and they were both at .940. I moved my dummy down to .945 and it fed and chambered fine.

I'm going to chronograph these along with three types of SD ammo and some Magtech plinking ammo tomorrow. I'll post the results along with a full range report. Very excited to try the Little Cool Pistol out!

 

[1911user]

I've had good luck using W231 to load 380.

 

[MMCSRET]

AA#2. ? at 380 auto useful ranges, which, incidentally is about the distance your chronograph is set from the muzzle of you piece, what does 50 fps difference make? This is a good cartridge in a good quality firearm but designed to be used at clothes closet ranges.

 

[Matt Dillon]

3.9 grains of Unique, with 95 grain LRN as well as Berry's plated, results in ~1018 FPS from my CZ 83

 

[moooose102]

i am using titegroup w/ 85g hp's. i just bought some bullets and powder to try, hp-38 for 115 gr. bullets that i have yet to load. i am not sure how these will work out, but it seems to me (again, in my tiny little mind) that a heavier bullet will work better in a s.d. situation. when i get some loaded, and a gun back to shoot them out of, i will post and let you guy's know.