380 XTP Short OAL Load

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jlr2267

Member
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
1,222
Location
South Carolina
I have found myself in need of a load with the 90gr XTP at something less than 0.94" OAL

Looking at my manuals, I cannot find anything that short. I know it is possible because the Fiocchi Extrema measures 0.939" using the same bullet in nickel plated Starline cases.

Anyone have a published source for a load meeting these requirements?

I have titegroup, unique and green dot to work with.
 
I have to load a sierra jhp at less than .960" in 380. No trouble if you work up. Ive actually loaded it all the way down to .928" with no problems.
 
I found a load with 90gr XTP @ 0.930" OAL, 2.9 - 3.4 gr Unique...

Has anyone here tried this load? Charge seems low to me. I've loaded for 380 up to 4 grains of Unique and 4.5 grains of Power Pistol under a 100 grain lead round nose @ 0.970" OAL.
 
You don't need specific load data for OAL. Use the data you have and start low. I just tested some short xtp loads with Titegroup and N320 last weekend. I was at low-mid to mid range of the data for my tests. Titegroup is a good powder for .380 and N320 is excellent.
 
If you contact Hornady CS via email they will email you load data for the bullet and caliber your using. I did this for 9mm XTP. I have not tried the 380's since I hate how my wife's gun throw the brass straight back, extractor on top.
 
Mad Chemist said:
You don't need specific load data for OAL. Use the data you have and start low. I just tested some short xtp loads with Titegroup and N320 last weekend. I was at low-mid to mid range of the data for my tests. Titegroup is a good powder for .380 and N320 is excellent.
Click to expand...
For 380, I think I do. There's not much room for error with the small case so I'd feel much better with proven loads of similar OAL.

All my load data is at 0.97" OAL or greater. Jumping down to 0.92-0.93 is significant with this cartridge.
 
Jumping down to 0.92-0.93 is significant with this cartridge.
Click to expand...


Delete..Read post wrong. Math was never my specialty :D

Still though, if you start low and work up, I think you can safely establish a shorter range that works. Maybe not to .92..I wouldn't be afraid to try...starting low and working up of course. Or starting low and shortening up a bit at a time.

Now maybe I shouldn't go around saying that to someone working up their first load...

Still, I must admit I respect a fellow who sticks to the data. And Im not trying to talk you into doing otherwise (even though it kind of sounds like it)
 
Last edited:
I have found myself in need of a load with the 90gr XTP at something less than 0.94" OAL
Click to expand...
Why?

The 90 XTP is a very short bullet to start with.

Seated shorter then about .960" OAL?

The bullet ogive will be inside the case neck.

No good will come of that!

Hornady manual says .965", and that should chamber in just about anything.

rc
 
rcmodel said:
Why?

The 90 XTP is a very short bullet to start with.

Seated shorter then about .960" OAL?

The bullet ogive will be inside the case neck.

No good will come of that!

Hornady manual says .965", and that should chamber in just about anything.

rc
Click to expand...
Because that's what feeds reliably in the cw380.

Fiocchi Extrema uses a 90gr xtp bullet at OAL of 0.94...
 
Potatohead said:
Delete..Read post wrong. Math was never my specialty :D

Still though, if you start low and work up, I think you can safely establish a shorter range that works. Maybe not to .92..I wouldn't be afraid to try...starting low and working up of course. Or starting low and shortening up a bit at a time.

Now maybe I shouldn't go around saying that to someone working up their first load...

Still, I must admit I respect a fellow who sticks to the data. And Im not trying to talk you into doing otherwise (even though it kind of sounds like it)
Click to expand...
Been reloading for years, so I understand what you are saying, and I appreciate the comments. Normally, I would drop back and work up if going to shorter OAL...in this case, the change in OAL is, in my opinion, very significant. Was not confident that a 10% charge reduction is enough...after finding actual load data, I now know it would have been a non- conservative approach (in this particular case).
 
JLr
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Hogdon's data for Titegroup with a Hornady JHP gives a COAL of .955 with a charge range of 2.7-3.2gr .

I still have these components on my bench so I went and pulled some measurements. The 90gr XTP seated at <.941 is where the ogive begins to descend below the case mouth. The data you found for .930 is not workable with the XTP bullet. It would work for a sierra JHP. Those are short and stubby and seat much lower.

I have used the Hogdon data and feel very comfortable with it.
 
Mad Chemist said:
JLr
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Hogdon's data for Titegroup with a Hornady JHP gives a COAL of .955 with a charge range of 2.7-3.2gr .

I still have these components on my bench so I went and pulled some measurements. The 90gr XTP seated at <.941 is where the ogive begins to descend below the case mouth. The data you found for .930 is not workable with the XTP bullet. It would work for a sierra JHP. Those are short and stubby and seat much lower.

I have used the Hogdon data and feel very comfortable with it.
Click to expand...
You're right. At ~0.94" OAL is where the case mouth overcomes the ogive. That also happens to be the OAL for Extrema factory ammo.

I loaded a few to 0.935" to try out. I'll probably end up somewhat longer. Small range of lengths to work with for this darn pistol.
 
What length does a dummy round with the XTP bullet plunk at?

I'd just plunk it, measure, and then seat about .005" deeper for a good error margin.
 
Mad Chemist said:
What length does a dummy round with the XTP bullet plunk at?

I'd just plunk it, measure, and then seat about .005" deeper for a good error margin.
Click to expand...
The plunk test won't insure a proper feed in this case. The problem is that the longer rounds bind up as they begin to "nose-up" on the ramp before the rim is sufficiently under the extractor claw. Seems anything around 0.94 works 100%...as the OAL increases, so does the FTF rate.
 
Sounds like a gun problem and not an ammo problem. I think you are addressing a symptom of a feed issue with the pistol but leaving the root cause uncorrected. How do other types of commercial ammo besides the Fiocci Extrema feed? How about round nose, flat point?

Are other Kahr CW380 owners having this problem too?
 
Mad Chemist said:
Sounds like a gun problem and not an ammo problem. I think you are addressing a symptom of a feed issue with the pistol but leaving the root cause uncorrected. How do other types of commercial ammo besides the Fiocci Extrema feed? How about round nose, flat point?

Are other Kahr CW380 owners having this problem too?
Click to expand...
It's definitely a gun problem (in my opinion, it is inherent in the gun's design)...my last one had the same problem, as do many others (at least, it appears that way from reading various forums). Just about *any* ammo with OAL at or below 0.94" seems to feed fine...jhp, rounds...have not tried flat nose at that short length, but I suspect they'll feed ok too.

I can buy factory ammo all day long that will run 100%...but I'd prefer to roll my own and save a few $. Those jhp's are running about $1/round in my area! Problem I have is finding load data at that OAL or shorter with the bullets that are readily available...at this time, I can only get Hornady xtp's in a hollow point. Looked everywhere for Speer GD to no avail.

I sent an email to Hornady...we'll see what they say.
 
Well Hornady replied that they recommend 0.965" min with the 90gr xtp. Fiocchi extrema run at 0.94" with the xtp...and I made some handloads at 0.935"... hmmmmm...wonder what's going on here....
 
Doesn't matter.

If you have to load .935"?
Load to .935".

Then start at the Starting load and work your way up until the gun functions normally.

You will not be at risk doing it that way.

rc
 
OK, I ran the 0.935" xtp reloads tonight:

2.5gr TG was anemic...twice failed to pick up the next round

2.7gr TG cycled 100%, hit POA at 7 yds. This may still be too slow to get expansion, so I will chrony this one at some point.

3.2gr Unique & 3.4gr both functioned 100%...could not tell a difference...need to chronograph

Also managed to run 100 Winchester white box 95gr flat points through it w/out a jam...OAL on those is ~0.95"

So I guess she's a keeper...I'm now confident I can buy or reload ammo that will function reliably in this pistol.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
OAL 380 W/ 90 Grn XTP
Replies
2
Views
457
[email protected]
E
Rule3
  • Locked
Anyone with a Hornady Manual, .380, 90gr XTP load data?
Replies
2
Views
3K
Rule3
Rule3
T
  • Locked
Final check
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
TX1911fan
T
W
  • Locked
.45 ACP OAL
Replies
9
Views
6K
Werewolf
W
H
  • Locked
Hornady 230gr. xtp/hp load OAL?
Replies
3
Views
610
Shoney
S
Back
Top