.380 Question

[jwrowland77]

What's the heaviest bullet one could use in a .380 load and be safe? I've seen a lot about 100gr being the heaviest but was wondering about 115gr. Would just be used for general plinking just to go shoot my .380.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have loaded 110 JHP bullets in my 380 ACP. They shot and fed just fine in my Beretta M84 but the performance was lack luster. The velocity, energy, and momentum is better with the 90 to 100 grain bullets designed for the 380 ACP.

Load data is difficult, if not impossible, to find.

 

[jwrowland77]

Yeah that's kind of what I was thinking too. I'd love to be able to find some magtech or Montana gold bullets to load for it my .380 but that's tough right now.

 

[Hondo 60]

Can you? Sure
But at what cost ballistically?

With a "heavy for caliber" bullet, you'll hit peak pressure before you see a good velocity.

 

[jwrowland77]

I'm not to worried about how much velocity I get, just as long as it comes out of the barrel just fine and hits the paper target in front of me, and not talking any long distance, maybe 7 yards.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

New kid again. Curious, why are you looking for heavy bullets? My thinking is the heavier the bullet and lighter the gun the greater the felt recoil the harder it is to re-acquire the target.

 

[mtrmn]

Just be sure to back off the powder charge a bit with heavier bullets, and maybe a little slower powder than Bullseye or Acc#2. I would think somebody like Missouri Bullet co would have some 90 gr cast bullets available for pretty cheap plinking/practice. I have some but I bought them several years ago-long before the present panic situation.

 

[jwrowland77]

New kid again. Curious, why are you looking for heavy bullets? My thinking is the heavier the bullet and lighter the gun the greater the felt recoil the harder it is to re-acquire the target.

New but not real new. Just curious is all. Don't have any of my normal bullets on hand, but I do have plenty of 115 grain billets on hand. It's not a real light gun like a ruger lcp or anything. I wouldn't think of it in that gun but my Walther isn't too bad.

 

[warhwkbb]

Clark should be along any minute...

 

[warhwkbb]

but just in case he doesn't show, there is some reloading data for 380, 115gr data. http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/380-Auto-(ACP)-Handgun-115-Grains.aspx

This is not a load I would use a fast powder with. Looks like you could compress Unique safely. Watch your COL, bullet setback could be a real issue

 

[jwrowland77]

but just in case he doesn't show, there is some reloading data for 380, 115gr data. http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/380-Auto-(ACP)-Handgun-115-Grains.aspx

This is not a load I would use a fast powder with. Looks like you could compress Unique safely. Watch your COL, bullet setback could be a real issue

Yeah, I was thinking about using Unique.

 

[Clark]

I use 90 gr Gold Dot in the Kel-Tec P3AT and Ruger LCP.
These pistols have poor case support, thin chamber walls, and low mass slides.

I use 115 gr JHP in the Beretta 1934, Bryco 380, and Kahr P380.
These have better case support and medium slide mass.

I use 158 gr JHP XTP in the Husqvarna M1907.
This has a massive slide, thick chamber wall, and perfect case support, and longer OAL capability.

I use Power Pistol for all three classes of 380s.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The problem with using a 115gr bullet in the 380 Auto is most 115gr .355" bullets are made for the 9mm Luger, not the 9mm Short. The bullet profile is incorrect for the 380 Auto so the OAL you have to use is also incorrect. If you can find .355" bullets meant for the 380 Auto I see no reason not to load them, especially for target use. I'm just not a fan of heavy for caliber bullets in handguns. I like to stick with the bullet weights that were used in the original design like 158gr bullets for the .38 Special and 124/125gr bullets for the 9mm Luger.