.380 Auto Recipe Feedback

[NMexJim]

If this Glock 42 is a blow-back action, then CFE Pistol may be too "slow" to run efficiently. Typically blow-back actions like powder burn rates starting at Winchester 231 and those faster. Consult several Burn Rate Charts if this is new information to you.

While CFE Pistol will allow you to build workable cartridges, you'll may have a lot of black, sooty, unburned powder left in the receiver as proof of what I'm saying.

Please do not confuse CFE Pistol with CFE 223 (111 on the burn chart). CFE Pistol is pretty fast actually at like #44 on the burn chart. Sure, there are faster powders, but it's fast enough. A good all-around pistol powder. It's a flatten spherical powder and is maybe safer for a noob than, say, Accurate #2 or Bullseye or Titegroup.

Ironwill, with a min of 3.3 and a max of 4.0 grains, you're at about halfway, and I'd guess fps at maybe 850? Look up the data on Hodgdon please and double-check me. It should work fine if your reloading technique is good. I have no experience with X-Tream RNFP and can't comment on the OAL. They do have an electronic reloading manual available for $4.99 which would be a good idea IMHO.

 

[wlkjr]

Please do not confuse CFE Pistol with CFE 223 .

A bit off topic but worth saying. I had a friend who loaded some CFE Pistol in place of CFE Rifle. Did not go well. Blew up his bolt action Savage .223 and totally destroyed the gun. Blew the scope off and bent it up. He was shooting from a rest at an indoor range. He is very careful when reloading and has doing it a very long time. But he both bottles of powder on his bench and picked up the wrong one. He said the bottles look exactly alike, same color, one just says rifle and one says pistol. He said the powder even looks almost identical. Luckily, he was not injured, but that's miracle from the looks of the gun. Anyone can make a mistake, so be very, very careful.

 

[kcofohio]

A bit off topic but worth saying. I had a friend who loaded some CFE Pistol in place of CFE Rifle. Did not go well. Blew up his bolt action Savage .223 and totally destroyed the gun. Blew the scope off and bent it up. He was shooting from a rest at an indoor range. He is very careful when reloading and has doing it a very long time. But he both bottles of powder on his bench and picked up the wrong one. He said the bottles look exactly alike, same color, one just says rifle and one says pistol. He said the powder even looks almost identical. Luckily, he was not injured, but that's miracle from the looks of the gun. Anyone can make a mistake, so be very, very careful.

But pistol is green lettering and rifle is blue lettering.

Always have just one powder on the bench at a time.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

A bit off topic but worth saying. I had a friend who loaded some CFE Pistol in place of CFE Rifle. Did not go well. Blew up his bolt action Savage .223 and totally destroyed the gun. Blew the scope off and bent it up. He was shooting from a rest at an indoor range. He is very careful when reloading and has doing it a very long time. But he both bottles of powder on his bench and picked up the wrong one. He said the bottles look exactly alike, same color, one just says rifle and one says pistol. He said the powder even looks almost identical. Luckily, he was not injured, but that's miracle from the looks of the gun. Anyone can make a mistake, so be very, very careful.

That’s a valuable lesson. Thanks for sharing. To try and avoid that kind of thing I have always stored my pistol and rifle powder on different shelves and when I could in different cabinets. Right now I only have the one cabinet but I would have to try to grab the wrong kind of powder. Not saying it can’t or won’t ever happen but I do what I can to make mistakes harder not easier to make.

 

[NMexJim]

But pistol is green lettering and rifle is blue lettering.

Always have just one powder on the bench at a time.

I have both and have had no problems keeping them separate. I do, however, recommend a cup of coffee before stumbling into the reloading room. I'd think that working with any hazardous material would bring your focus to the forefront. But, you know what they say about natural selection ........

 

[kcofohio]

I have both and have had no problems keeping them separate. I do, however, recommend a cup of coffee before stumbling into the reloading room. I'd think that working with any hazardous material would bring your focus to the forefront. But, you know what they say about natural selection ........

I agree. I have both also, they sit in storage side by side. It would be the same with primers. We have to check, and double check

 

[n2omike]

Hi All,

I'm working on a recipe for .380 auto. Will be using a Glock 42 for testing in about a month or so when I get it.

Here's my starting point and I'd love any feedback or experience with this recipe:

xTreme Copper Plate RNFP - 100 Grain Bullets
Hogdon CFE Pistol Powder - 3.7 Grains
CCI #500 Small Pistol Primer
OAL 0.960

Hogdon has data for 100 grain HDY FMJ which calls for CFE Pistol 3.3 to 4.0 grains, and a OAL of 0.980.

I'm loading to the middle of that range with 3.7 grains of CFE Pistol but am cutting it a little shorter, down to 0.960 based on the flat nose of the bullet.

Thanks for any feedback!

Glock 42 likes a hot load. It's not a very heavy gun, yet has a pretty strong recoil spring. Without being held FIRMLY, it often won't cycle... especially with smaller shooters. I have one, and my 4'10" daughter couldn't shoot it, as it wouldn't reliably cycle. Same with my son when he was 8-10 years old.

The SOLUTION was the +P .380 loads sold by Precision One. They are a hotter load with the Hornady XTP bullet. I don't have a progressive, and do NOT want to load this caliber, so I bought a 250 round pack from them... and later bought another one. Runs PERFECT in the gun, no matter who is holding it!

Yes, I'm aware there is no 'official' +P classification of .380 ammo, but this is specifically recommended for the Glock 42 from several sources. I have no idea what the powder load is.

https://precisiononeammunition.com/product/380-acp-90gr-hp-xtppnew/





Good Luck!