.380 Ruger LCP preferred load??

[Master Blaster]

I have been fortunate enough to locate an in stock LCP .380 and have taken it out to the range and fired it with some old remington FMJ high velocity left over from 12 years ago when I sold my sig p230.

I recieved some bullets from Grafs friday, 90 grain Hornady XTP, and dies are coming monday. I have win sp primers, and a number of faster pistol powders, anyone have a favorite load for their LCP?

My Hornady manual says I can get 1150 fps with titegroup (test gun 3.5" walther)

If you have a favorite target load, or a favorite defense load Please share it.

Thanks

 

[MikeS.]

I've been using 2.8 of Bullseye with a 95grn jhp for a mild plinking load. It works quite well even with the 16lb Wolff spring I put in. I've also used 3.0 and 3.2 of BE with the same bullet.

 

[rcmodel]

I use 3.3 Red Dot or Green Dot, or 3.8 Unique with that XTP bullet in my P3AT.

Should work fine in the Ruger since it is a copy of the Kel-Tec.

rc

 

[1KPerDay]

I carry Buffalo Bore HP in mine.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Mr Blaster,
I think you might check your manual once again. Mine lists a max load of 3.2gr for Titegroup at 970fps with a 90gr Hornaday bullet.
I find Powerpistol yields max velocity from my Mustang and Bersa .380s but no where near 1150fps. Impressive muzzle flash if shot at dusk, though.
Of course, YMMV

 

[dannyabear]

1kperday
Check the ruger & lcp forums; there have been damaged LCPS with the high pressure buffalo bore ammo

 

[ants]

I suppose that any published load with those 90g XTP will work well in an LCP. The Ruger is a robust little pistol. It features a locked breech action, unusual for a 380.

You asked about favorite loads: I use 115g XTP for self defense. Loads are in the Lyman manual. W231 works best just below max load, at 0.956" overall length. I know that most 380 loaders never go as heavy as 115g, but I first tried it in a Colt Pony and it works great.

For 90, 95 and 100 grain bullets, the best powder I've ever used is VV N320. Our member Walkalong has been using it for other pistol cartridges, and has me convinced to start loading it up in 9mm. A pound is expensive, but since you use so little in 380 it goes a long way.

 

[Master Blaster]

Mr Blaster,
I think you might check your manual once again. Mine lists a max load of 3.2gr for Titegroup at 970fps with a 90gr Hornaday bullet.

Yep checked it, its the Hornady manual latest edition, last night i loaded up 3.1 grains of titegroup, 1050 according to the manual, I see the max is 3.4 1150 fps. OAL .965.

ants I have some N310 and some N320 on the shelf I need to find some data for it and give it a try.

 

[precisionbrass]

Anyone else had theirs shoot quite low? My father in law just got one and at 10 yds it shoots 6+ inches low. Other than that decent gun for the money. I had a kel-tech (now carry a Kahr for backup and off duty) and much preffer the fit and finish of the LCP over the Kel-Tech I had.

Precision Brass

 

[1KPerDay]

1kperday
Check the ruger & lcp forums; there have been damaged LCPS with the high pressure buffalo bore ammo

Got a link?

 

[rcmodel]

The Ruger is a robust little pistol. It features a locked breech action, unusual for a 380.

Yes, but just like the P3AT, the weakest link in the chain is the case.

Both have unsupported chambers, and the .380 case is not a .38 Super.

When you start to see case bulging over the feed ramp, it's past time to back off.

rc

 

[Master Blaster]

Well I just went out and shot 20 of my 3.1 grains of titegroup, 90 grain XTP 35500, .965 OAL.
The rounds are max length for the LCP magazines, all fed, chambered fired and ejected perfectly, It seems the gun shoots a little high with this load, 3" high at 25 ft.
The rounds seemed mild and the brass and primers looked good. So i think I will up it a tenth of a grain, and try another load with VV N320.

 

[dannyabear]

1kperday

Elsiepeaforum.com

 

[ants]

Elsiepea

I get it: L C P

Nice little forum. I need to find the time to explore it fully. Thanks for the link, dannyabear.

 

[Master Blaster]

ants what load are you using for .380 with VV N320, I have had troble finding data for it in the newest reloading guide they put out, the 2002 guide has load data but it seems to be about 1/2 a grain higher than data I see in Lyman and speer (different bullets).

Thanks

 

[ants]

I use the Lyman Pistol and Revolver #3 and old Lapua data from various od manuals. I careful to use published data for 380 because most pistols are blowback designs, and the tapered-wall case doesn't last very long if you're not careful. It is very prudent to remain conservative with this cartridge.

I've never called them, but I guess you can always contact the VV importer, Kaltron. The Kaltron-Pettibone chemical division distributes their powders 1-800-683-0464. Some of our European members tell us that they call Lapua in Europe for safe data not published in their Euro manuals. Maybe Kaltron has some useful info.

 

[RidgwayCO]

I sent the following message to the Nammo Lapua Infocenter more than a year ago:

"Why is there no reloading data in your current manual for .380 Auto? The last VihtaVuori manual that listed data for the .380 Auto was in 2002.

The .380 Auto is a very popular round, and getting even more notice with the Kel-Tec P3AT and the new Ruger LCP. Please consider adding this cartridge to your next reloading manual."

I received this response: "Thank you for your feedback. We will take this into consideration for future additions."

If you'd like a pdf of their 2002 Manual, send me an e-mail and I'll get it to you.