380 Auto 100gr COL?

[CrankyCraig]

Hello I was wondering if any of you folks have ever loaded any of the Xtreme 100grain RNFP plated bullets for 380 auto?

This is my first time loading 380. I've loaded 40S&W, 9mm , 45 ACP & 45 colt.

I'm struggling to find published COL for a 100grain flat points.

I see .980 listed in just about everything but those are for round nose bullets.

I measured some Winchester 95 grain RNFP bullets and they come in around 0.945 but those are 95 grain.

I have 231, TightGroup, unique & CFE pistol powders on hand & most likely use 231 since it meters really well.

The Extreme bullets measure 0.430 in length.

Thank You in Advance.
Craig.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I haven't used the extreme, but I use Berry's flat base round nose plated and load to 0.980.

 

[Itzdapig]

My books typically show RN at .980 and FP at .960. I load as long as I can and still feed and cycle.

 

[mstreddy]

I've loaded the Xtreme 100 gr at .955 - .960. Many books list the max, but you'll find that they may feed better and plunk at an OAL that you determine.

 

[LiveLife]

RNFP is RN with tip cut off with longer base.

For X-Treme 100 gr RNFP bullet load development, while longer OAL worked, I used 0.945" OAL for my TCP 738 for greater neck tension and reliable feeding - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/380auto-x-treme-100-gr-rnfp-range-test.748320/

 

[JimKirk]

Pull your barrel out of your gun and use it as a case gauge ... If you can arrive at a COAL that fits you barrel and feeds from your magazines ... it really don't matter what a book says ... your gun is the final judge ....( as long as you have a safe load... it is the judge on that also )...

 

[Dudedog]

I loaded those to .96
Kahr P380 2.5" barrel (short barrel on this pistol)
Mixed brass S+B SP
Note: Listed MAX Charge is 4gr of CFE-P with a 100 FMJ @ .98 this load has the MAX recommended charge weight.
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 RNFP Xtreme 4.0 CFE-P .96 OAL
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

Side note:
I really like AA#2 for .380, meters great in .380 size charges.

 

[CrankyCraig]

RNFP is RN with tip cut off with longer base.

For X-Treme 100 gr RNFP bullet load development, while longer OAL worked, I used 0.945" OAL for my TCP 738 for greater neck tension and reliable feeding - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/380auto-x-treme-100-gr-rnfp-range-test.748320/

Very helpful! Thank You!

 

[Walkalong]

Side note:
I really like AA#2 for .380, meters great in .380 size charges.

Ditto. Good stuff.

 

[Muddydogs]

Pull your barrel out of your gun and use it as a case gauge ... If you can arrive at a COAL that fits you barrel and feeds from your magazines ... it really don't matter what a book says ... your gun is the final judge ....( as long as you have a safe load... it is the judge on that also )...

The above it what works best. Make some dummy loads and seat the bullets until they plunk in your barrel then make sure they fit your mag and will feed from the mag into your chamber. Once you have figured out your COL start working up your powder charge.
I'm not sure why this isn't the standard answer when someone asks about COL? Guessing that most don't realize that the info that comes out of a book is information for whatever barrel the company is using and may or may not pertain to the barrel there using.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm not sure why this isn't the standard answer when someone asks about COL?

It usually is.

But then there is the issue of greater neck tension from deeper seated bullet producing more consistent chamber pressures overshadowing less gas leakage from longest working OAL/COL, especially for below max lighter target loads.

Holes on target usually trump anything we can theorize on forum discussions. As challenged by jmorris and detailed by Bart B, I test incrementally shorter OAL and post 10 shot group pictures of my load development/comparison range tests and let the holes speak for themselves.

There must be reasons why Atlanta Arms 115 gr FMJ Elite Match AMU (that must produce sub 1.5" 10 shot groups at 50 yards) is loaded to 1.130" OAL instead of 1.160" which will feed and chamber from magazine in most pistols - https://atlantaarms.com/products/9mm-115gr-fmj-match-amu.html

Sure, 100 gr RNFP will work loaded to .980" OAL from the magazine but loaded deeper at .945" OAL, greater neck tension will likely help produce more efficient powder burn for more consistent chamber pressures. For small case volume cartridges like 380Auto and 9mm, small adjustments in reloading variables produce significant results.