Another .380 Reload Problem

[Sky Dog]

Normally I load 95 gr FMJ's with 2.9 gr of Bulls Eye FMJ's for my Sig 230 and Beretta 85. I purchased some 95 gr and 102 gr Golden Sabers. The 95's work great with my pet load. I disassembled a factory Golden Saber 102 and found a 4.0 gr charge of whatever powder Remington uses. I've seen recipes start at 3.0 gr of Bulls Eye for FMJ's, so I thought this would be OK. OAL was set at .955 just like the factory loads. I got one big surprise when I pulled the trigger. This was way way too hot a load. The tang on my Sig bit me pretty good! The only think I can think of is I set the bullet too deep and compressed the powder. Your thoughts?

 

[Rule3]

Per Alliant 3.4 grains of BE is the Max for the 90 gr Speer GD So in theory the charge for the slightly heavier Golden Saber 102 gr should be a tad less. I did not measure the OAL of the GS (i have some) but will have to go with what you posted. Is that what you used 3.0 grains??

Pulling a factory load will tell you nothing as you have no idea what powder it is,

You can safely use the data for 100gr bullets. 2 grs of bullet is not a big deal.

For lack of a manual here is this site,

http://reloadammo.com/380auto.htm

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=520917

 

[hartcreek]

The OAL is the OAL so all you are left with is an over charge. I do not load those powders for .380 so I can not tell you about them. I use 231, Red Dot, and Unique

 

[[email protected]]

Its not an apples to apples comparison but I load 2.8 grains of bullseye with the lee 356102 cast bullet. It runs right at 104 grains after lube. This is a snappy load out of a little p3at.

 

[lauderdale]

I might be pushing it w/w231 3.7 grns. 95gr. Montana gold jhp (wsp). Rule3 thanks for that cite. Reason being, seen it in grouping and primers today w/42 glock? do not mean to hi-jack thread(concerned).

 

[hartcreek]

i am not going to say how many grains I use with Red Dot, 231 or Unique as I worked it up using 231 and then substituted when I had to but my bullets are either 105 grain Lee hardcasts or 115 grain Hornady XTP and they "work the action well" in a 1927 Savage and a Beretta 85 as well as a couple Bersas before that. What would really tell us is a photo of the primers in those hotloads......I would bet that they are flattened and maybe even have holes from the fireing pin.