Adding .380 to the list, need a little help

[lpsharp88]

Hello, I just picked up a G42 a few days ago, and am naturally going to add .380 to my list of calibers that I load for. I need some help with load data. My Lyman #49 has data for 90gr lead, which is the same weight as what I'm going to carry (90gr Gold Dots), the only problem is that I can't find any 90gr lead to buy, other than some from Montana Bullet Works who want $80+ for 500 of them. No way I'm paying that since I can get 1k of 95gr for $64+shipping from SNS.

I know that when you don't have data for a weight, you go up to the next higher weight, start low, and work up. My question is, since the weight difference is only 5gr, is it safe to do the same, but in reverse? Get the 95gr lead and use the 90gr data, starting low and working up?

 

[Blue68f100]

The 380 has such a small charge I would pick the heaver load and work up. If you do start with the 95gr I would back it off (0,1-0.2gr) and workup the load very slowly looking for pressure signs. With more bullet in the brass pressure will be highers too. This is one caliber that you want to use a powder that meter accurately since most only have a 0.3gr swing from min to max. Use caution.

 

[lpsharp88]

Well, now that I look again, I do have data for a 120gr lead load. I can use that one and start right at or a little over the minimum charge and work up.

 

[jell-dog]

Ipsharp88,
Search Handloading for the Glock 42, there is a lot of information from experienced reloaders here on THR.
Hope this helps.
JD

 

[jell-dog]

Duplicate post

 

[lpsharp88]

Just did that, looks like there's a series of threads by the same OP, thanks for that!

 

[papaairbear]

Not about lead bullets, even though I know that's what your posting about. But did you know that RMR offers 90gr JHP for $101/k? And Jake forwards a 5% discount to THR members, just use the code thehighroad5 and put your username you use here in the comments box. And I've gotten good accuracy with 3.2gr 231/HP-38 in my Kahr P380 with that bullet. Others here have had great success with that bullet and other powders. It's a fun caliber to shoot, and reloading for it is straight-forward.

 

[Zonamo]

I found .380 to be an easy round to load as long as you really watch the charge weight. A tenth or two can be a lot when loading .380. The Dillon XS powder bar helps. I mostly load 231, but don't load for lead.

I would be careful not to go too low for a starting charge. You are much closer to 90gr than 120gr. Probably not a problem with something like 231 where there is only 0.2 difference between the two start charges. OTOH, Unique shows a max load for 120 gr that is smaller than the start load for 90gr. A start load close to the 120gr for Unique might be too low, and dialing in on a max load is going to be much harder. Bullseye is the same.

231 might be a better choice for what you want to do as it appears from the Lyman data to be the least sensitive to bullet weight, and Lyman shows it as the most accurate powder for .380.

 

[LiveLife]

G42 ... I'm going to carry 90gr Gold Dots ... I can't find any 90gr lead to buy, other than some from Montana Bullet Works who want $80+ for 500 of them. No way I'm paying that since I can get 1k of 95 gr for $64+shipping from SNS.

I suggest you consider trying RMR 100 gr Hardcore Match Plated RN at $72.20/1000 shipped with 5% THR discount code thehighroad5 (must also enter THR ID/name in the order comment box) which is better (IMO) than $64 + shipping for 1000 95 gr lead bullets. No leading issue and can use jacketed load data to better duplicate 90 gr Gold Dot factory load.

The RMR thick plated bullet is rated to 1500 fps and you can use jacketed load data. I use this bullet for my 9mm carbine load pushed to 1500 fps and get sub 2.0" groups at 50 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...n-9mm-40s-w-45acp.799231/page-3#post-10245856

Hodgdon has 380Auto load data for 100 gr bullet - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol


50 yard groups with RMR HM 100 gr RN in 9mm

 

[lpsharp88]

You're the second on to recommend them. After a look, I actually have data for that weight and powders I currently have (700 and 800-X along with TiteGroup), this is a great help. Once I get the scratch together for the dies, brass, and these bullets, I'll make an order. Thanks a lot!

I suggest you consider trying RMR 100 gr Hardcore Match Plated RN at $72.20/1000 shipped with 5% THR discount code thehighroad5 (must also enter THR ID/name in the order comment box) which is better (IMO) than $64 + shipping for 1000 95 gr lead bullets. No leading issue and can use jacketed load data to better duplicate 90 gr Gold Dot factory load.

The RMR thick plated bullet is rated to 1500 fps and you can use jacketed load data. I use this bullet for my 9mm carbine load pushed to 1500 fps and get sub 2.0" groups at 50 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...n-9mm-40s-w-45acp.799231/page-3#post-10245856

Hodgdon has 380Auto load data for 100 gr bullet - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol



50 yard groups with RMR HM 100 gr RN in 9mm

 

[Reefinmike]

Does your powder manufacturer have load data for 95 or 100gr fmj? lead bullets can safely be loaded using jacketed data as long as they are the proper hardness for the velocity and they aren't seated deeper in the case than the base of a fmj load. Most manuals give "reduced" load data for lead bullets. A lead bullet is much softer than a bullet with a thick copper jacket and will result in less chamber pressure and a higher velocity given the same charge and seating depth. Coated lead bullets are even slicker. I find they run 5-7% faster than a fmj.

Watch out for the federal and blazer cases with an internal step! The step is tapered and they are much harder to spot than the stepped 9mm cases with a sharp step. Also, GFL, S&B, CBC, and PPU brass are all too thick and no good for loading lead bullets.

 

[lpsharp88]

Does your powder manufacturer have load data for 95 or 100gr fmj? lead bullets can safely be loaded using jacketed data as long as they are the proper hardness for the velocity and they aren't seated deeper in the case than the base of a fmj load. Most manuals give "reduced" load data for lead bullets. A lead bullet is much softer than a bullet with a thick copper jacket and will result in less chamber pressure and a higher velocity given the same charge and seating depth. Coated lead bullets are even slicker. I find they run 5-7% faster than a fmj.

Watch out for the federal and blazer cases with an internal step! The step is tapered and they are much harder to spot than the stepped 9mm cases with a sharp step. Also, GFL, S&B, CBC, and PPU brass are all too thick and no good for loading lead bullets.

I'll have to double check, but I don't remember them listing anything that was helpful to me. Thanks for the heads up on the brass, I was unaware of those issues.
As an aside, I grew up in SW Ohio. Born and raised in Hamilton and spent a lot of time in Oxford. Small world!

 

[RandyP]

I load .380 100gr plated with Win 231. Many of my local indoor ranges don't allow bare lead ammo.

 

[Walkalong]

I know that when you don't have data for a weight, you go up to the next higher weight, start low, and work up. My question is, since the weight difference is only 5gr, is it safe to do the same, but in reverse? Get the 95gr lead and use the 90gr data, starting low and working up?

No. Use 95 or 100 Gr data. That said, if you stop short of the 90 Gr max, you'll probably be OK. Probably.

Here is a pic of a case with the internal ledge. I thought I had picked them all out. Speer by the way. I felt them when they hit the expander, much more resistance. It bulged the case out before I even tried to seat a bullet. A shorter expander may have worked, and then of course the bullet base would have to stop short of the step, whatever that OAL is. I loaded one with a bullet that did not go below the ledge, but it didn't matter after what the expander did to it.

 

[Reefinmike]

Here is a pic of a case with the internal ledge. I thought I had picked them all out. Speer by the way. I felt them when they hit the expander, much more resistance. It bulged the case out before I even tried to seat a bullet. A shorter expander may have worked, and then of course the bullet base would have to stop short of the step, whatever that OAL is. I loaded one with a bullet that did not go below the ledge, but it didn't matter after what the expander did to it.

Good picture Walkalong! Once you know what you are looking for they are pretty easy to spot but not nearly as obvious as the IMT or ammoload 9mm brass with the sharp 90 degree corner on it's ledge.

 

[lpsharp88]

Great pictures! It looks like that the little bit of brass I have (a mixture of Remington and Speer) doesn't have the step. I inspected visually and felt with a pencil, and didn't feel anything. How common is this?

 

[Walkalong]

By the way, that loaded round "plunks" in the Beretta Pico my FIL gave my wife.

 

[lpsharp88]

Looks like I'm adding another step to the reloading process

 

[Artofgolf]

The only comment I can add to the conversation is that you will find that hand loading for the G42 will require a slightly stout load to cycle the pistol properly.
I found that the minimum charge usually produces a lot of FTE's. Great little pistol Good luck & have fun!

 

[Sunray]

Five grains is close enough that it won't matter. However, there's no using jacketed data for cast bullets. There is 90 and 95 grain jacketed(only) data on Hodgdon's site. One, unverified, 95 grain cast load on Handloads.com. And a couple, unverified, cast loads on Reloader's Nest.