9mm bullet wt

[Apiarian]

Ok, I will be loading for 380 (P3AT), 9mm (PF9) and 9mm (lonewollf ported barrel in a Glock 23).

Is it possible to load ONE bullet wt for all three? Not sure if 115 gr is TOO heavy for the 380. I am also not sure if 100gr is too light for the other two.

Any opinions?

John

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

I have a list in front of my from X-Treme bullets, and their one .380 load is a 100 grain Round nose flat point. Their 9mm offerings start at 115 and go up to 147. I also see that their bullet diameters for copper plated bullets in .380 is .355" while 9mm is 3.55.5 or .356".

 

[rcmodel]

First of all, the .380 and 9mm have the same size bore measurements.

For jacketed bullets, that is .355"

So, any bullet suitable for one is the right size for the other.

The problem on trying to settle on one weight for both calibers is twofold.

If you pick a light (short) enough bullet to fit in the .380 case without bulging the case, it is going to be marginally light for the 9mm.

About the best compromise is the 115 grain weight.

But it may prove a handful in blow-back operated .380's, or very light locked breach guns like the Kel-Tec P3AT and Ruger copy.

Still, how hard is it to buy two different bullets more suitable for each? Cost will be about the same regardless.

rcmodel

 

[Apiarian]

I just like to be as versatile as I can with what I got. It is no big thing to buy different weights. It just almost seems silly to use 100gr in one and 115gr for the other.

 

[rcmodel]

How about 90 or 95 in one and 115 or 124 in the other.

That's what they were designed for.

rcmodel

 

[rfwobbly]

It just almost seems silly to use 100gr in one and 115gr for the other.

John -
Please do not take this comment as a flippant or smart a$$ reply to your worthy question. You came here for real help and that is what you deserve.

IMHO your mode of thinking needs to be modified. Think of the problem this way: You've spend several hundreds of dollars on multiple guns, and now you want to save tens of dollars by purchasing a single bullet. A single bullet that's not going to let either gun (380 or 9mm) perform at its best.

Is the answer any clearer now ?


Hope this helps. Merry Christmas.

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree that it is false economy, but it IS possible. Lyman has data. I have loaded 115 gr .380s and they fed, fired, and functioned in my Colt Gov't .380. But then I load 147 gr 9mm P, too.

 

[jjohnson]

Compromise

Well, better than opinion, I have data!

Some loading manuals list 115 grain loads for the .380. I've used them. They work (in MY 380 - your results may vary).

It's true that the lighter bullets aren't optimal for the 9mm Luger. If you use the 115gr bullets in .380, you must seat them deep enough to avoid overall length problems. You won't get as much velocity, either, and the heavier bullet coupled with less powder space means you'd better keep a close eye on excess pressures.

My guess is that you shoot .380 less than 9mm Luger. Right? If I were going to compromise, I'd go with what favors the cartridge I'm shooting more. I've shot thousands of .380 with 115 grain bullets, and they're fine as 'range loads,'
but I'd never want to carry them for SD. The 380 just wasn't designed for it. I've tried the lighter 95-100 bullets in the 9mm Luger, and haven't had problems, but same deal - different design point - compromises just aren't 'free.'