Clean burning for .380

[Kristensdaddy]

I load lots of 9mm, 38/357, 44spec/44mag, and shotgun but have just gotten into loading for .380 ACP. I have large quantities of powder, some suitable for .380 but I like clean loads. Of these powders, which do you find burns the cleanest and gives the best performance. (95 gr hornady bullets) All will be within published load guidelines and assembled on a single stage press.

Universal Clays
700-X
HS-6
Red Dot
Unique
Herco

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Steve Koski]

I just started loading .380, and have been using Unique. Works great. But I only had one other powder on my shelf that was listed in my manuals (Titegroup) and the velocity was much slower.

 

[RhinoDefense]

W231 is a great powder for .380. AutoComp (SMP224) is used in Winchester factory .380 ammunition and is equally good. TG is another good powder that does well in small capacity cases.

For 95-100gr FMN-RN I find 3.2-3.5gr of W231 is excellent in just about every gun.

 

[Steve Koski]

TG is actually listed as reaching pretty low velocities.

 

[RhinoDefense]

From Hodgdon's 2011 p153:

95gr FMJ 0.970" OAL
4.3gr AC 937fps
3.5gr Univ. 901fps
3.2gr W231/HP38 884fps
3.2gr TG 953fps

TG is the fastest velocity with the least amount of powder but highest pressure.

 

[Cop Bob]

I use 700-X for practice rounds, lead bullets.. Consult several Manuals.

Some complain about metering problems with 700-X, I have never really had any issues, with either one of my Dillons.. I also hear about 700-x being "Dirty" not if you don't load them too light, you want to push them about 800 to 850fps.. It is defiantly cleaner than Bullseye..

For Service, I use IMR-7625, Load is published in the Serria Manual.. They scream.. they work.. they are PROVEN manstoppers.. two incidents that I have personal knowledge of.. I loaded em.. one shot, one kill both times.. Both the rounds opened to the base.. One shot from a Mauser HSC, the other from a Walther PPK..

 

[RidgwayCO]

I've loaded .380 Auto since the early 1990s, and nothing I've tried is better than Accurate #2 (for the record, I've tried Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, Titegroup, HP38, AA #7, 700X, Clays, N310, N320, and N330). Speer #14 lists it as their highest performing powder when paired with their 90gr GDHP.

I use it for loading "social work" 90gr JHPs (Speer GDHP and Hornady HP/XTP), 100gr Hornady FMJ-Enc's loaded to duplicate factory energy levels, and 95gr LRN's designed for "plinker performance". It meters like a dream, burns clean, and routinely turns in single digit standard deviation numbers over the chronograph. Hard to believe that it's also cheap to purchase, especially from Powder Valley.

Usually you need two or three different powders to efficiently load a given cartridge. Accurate #2 truly is a "one-size-fits-all" powder for the .380 Auto.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use 700-X and Unique in the 380 ACP currently. They work fine for me. It is what I have on hand for other cartridges.

Other powders may be more desirable to some.

 

[MickKennedy29]

For me, the answer is "it depends". If you want plinking loads, I say Titegroup because you have fast powder giving lower velocity and in my experience not much unburned powder or fouling. For faster loads, I like autocomp, VV 3n-37, unique. If you load towards the higher end of the spectrum the loads will burn cleaner. Again, this is just from my experience.

 

[kingmt]

I really like shooting Red Dot. It sure does make my little TCP a pleasure to shoot & is very clean. I usually just reload them without tumbling. Be careful with it in an unsupported chamber because by the time it shows pressure signs it is way over.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

only one of the powders you list have I used - Red Dot which is my cast slug powder - burns clean for me.
power pistol is better for jacketed slugs (102gr GS) IMO.

 

[SHR970]

Of the powders you listed, I would try them in this order:

Universal Clays
Red Dot
700-X
Unique

HS-6 and Herco will leave lots of crude behind due to the lower pressures of a 380. I haven't used the reformulated Unique but hated the residue of the old stuff.

 

[ThumperACC]

I had metering issues with 700-X. Try Accurate #2, meters like a dream and burns very very clean from light through heavy loads. Great stuff.

ThumperACC

 

[zxcvbob]

Unique for full-power service loads. Red Dot for practice loads, especially if you want to load them down to where they are OK to shoot in an ultralightweight gun.

 

[Walkalong]

I do not currently load .380, but when I did, I used AA #2, and it worked well for me.

 

[45Fan]

I keep Hodgon powders in my cabinet, and the only one I have used is Universal, it burns clean, and has good velocity, so I havent had to look any further. The only issue I have had with this powder is that it is a little finicky in my lee powder thrower, and has to be watched to be sure the loads are all consistent.

 

[medalguy]

Anyone else use AA #5? Works for me.