.380 Universal powder load data

[BB in Texas]

I’ve not found many recipes for .380 using Universal powder and am somewhat concerned with the wide disparity between data from Speer vs Hodgdon.

Speer. Start 3.6 max 4.1 COL .970 bullet 95 gr tmj-rn
Hodgdon start 3.1. max 3.5 COL .970 bullet 95 gr fmj-rn

I am reluctant to charge higher than the Hodgdon max.. the 3.5 gr charge fired ok in my M&P .380 Shield EZ, but extraction was pretty weak.

Would appreciate hearing from any of you with more expertise. Thanks.

 

[LiveLife]

.380 ... Universal ... concerned with the wide disparity between data from Speer vs Hodgdon

I am reluctant to charge higher than the Hodgdon max.. the 3.5 gr charge fired ok in my M&P .380 Shield EZ, but extraction was pretty weak

Hodgdon lists older test data measured in CUP and newer test data measured in PSI for ACME coated RN that is even sized larger at .356", which is more in line with current Speer load data - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

• 380Auto 95 gr Speer FMJ Universal Dia 0.355" COL 0.970" Start 3.1 gr (814 fps - 12,500 CUP) - Max 3.5 gr (901 fps - 15,500 CUP)
• 380Auto 95 gr ACME coated RN Universal Dia. 0.356" COL 0.970" Start 3.5 gr (906 fps - 14,700 PSI) - Max 4.6 gr (1,104 fps - 20,300 PSI)

Speer load data for thick plated TMJ measured 0.3555" for me - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/380_Automatic_95.pdf

• 380Auto 95 gr Speer TMJ RN Universal COL 0.970" Start 3.6 gr (854 fps) - Max 4.1 gr (979 fps)

 

[12Bravo20]

I have been reloading 380 with Hodgdon Universal but I reload with Berrys 100Gr bullets.

Hodgdon load data for 100Gr bullets and Universal is:

Start - 3.0 grains
Max - 3.4 grains.

I didn't find any data for 100 grains bullets on Speeds website to compare to Hodgdon's data.

I load mine with 3.1 grains of Universal and the Berrys plate 100 grain bullets and that load works well in my Kel-Tec P3AT and in my old Llama IIIA.

I know this does not help you with loading 95 grain bullets. But I have had great results with the above load in my pistols. I do find that using Universal, they do better with a bit of crimp. I get less unburnt powder when I use the Lee FCD versus no crimp.

 

[BB in Texas]

Hodgdon lists older test data measured in CUP and newer test data measured in PSI for ACME coated RN that is even sized larger at .356", which is more in line with current Speer load data - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

• 380Auto 95 gr Speer FMJ Universal Dia 0.355" COL 0.970" Start 3.1 gr (814 fps - 12,500 CUP) - Max 3.5 gr (901 fps - 15,500 CUP)
• 380Auto 95 gr ACME coated RN Universal Dia. 0.356" COL 0.970" Start 3.5 gr (906 fps - 14,700 PSI) - Max 4.6 gr (1,104 fps - 20,300 PSI)

Speer load data for thick plated TMJ measured 0.3555" for me - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/380_Automatic_95.pdf

• 380Auto 95 gr Speer TMJ RN Universal COL 0.970" Start 3.6 gr (854 fps) - Max 4.1 gr (979 fps)

LiveLife you are always so quick to reply, thanks. Hoping I didn’t misinterpret your response, sounds like you’re implying it would be safe to work the charge up beyond 3.5 gr.? I should note I am actually using a RMR FMJ projectile.

 

[BB in Texas]

I have been reloading 380 with Hodgdon Universal but I reload with Berrys 100Gr bullets.

Hodgdon load data for 100Gr bullets and Universal is:

Start - 3.0 grains
Max - 3.4 grains.

I didn't find any data for 100 grains bullets on Speeds website to compare to Hodgdon's data.

I load mine with 3.1 grains of Universal and the Berrys plate 100 grain bullets and that load works well in my Kel-Tec P3AT and in my old Llama IIIA.

I know this does not help you with loading 95 grain bullets. But I have had great results with the above load in my pistols. I do find that using Universal, they do better with a bit of crimp. I get less unburnt powder when I use the Lee FCD versus no crimp.

thanks. Always glad to hear what works for others.