lauderdale
Member
Dude dog w/kind of .380 did you buy if you don't mind me asking? Is it rated for +p ?. John
Just bought a .380 Looking for your favorite loads
- Thread starter Dudedog
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mstreddy
Member
Dudedog, check out the earlier threads on reloading 380 from ArtOfGolf, Jell-Dog and a few others. There was some good discussion of the topic. I've loaded 95 gr Berry's and Xtremes with Win231 at 2.8-2.9 gr and Promo (Red Dot) at 2.6-2.9 as well. OALs have been .955-.976"
They worked quite well out of my Ruger LCP, Sig 238, Beretta 84 and Glock 42. They've also worked well out of my buddy's Bersa.
Oh, and yeah, 380 is the brass that we ALL fight for at the range.
They worked quite well out of my Ruger LCP, Sig 238, Beretta 84 and Glock 42. They've also worked well out of my buddy's Bersa.
Oh, and yeah, 380 is the brass that we ALL fight for at the range.
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Dudedog
Contributing Member
It is a little Kahr P380. Only two small 380s on CAs list the Kahr and the Sig P238,
I believe it is rated for P+ but will need to check the manual. Still at the store for 4 more days. CA waiting period. :banghead:
I remember Artofgolfs and jell-dogs 380 threads but didn't pay lots of attention because I didn't have a 380. (I did read them though, interesting)
Will go back and check them both again.
I believe it is rated for P+ but will need to check the manual. Still at the store for 4 more days. CA waiting period. :banghead:
I remember Artofgolfs and jell-dogs 380 threads but didn't pay lots of attention because I didn't have a 380. (I did read them though, interesting)
Will go back and check them both again.
Gearhead Jim
Member
"Gearhead Jim, those Conevera bullets are good quality. Not sure who produces them, as they come in a plain white box with Conevera's name, bullet type, and weight.
As for accuracy, out of a LCP, out to 7-10 yds., I was getting 3-4" groups. I'm not bullseye shooter though. In plated, I've used Berry's 100 gr. HBRN. But I really don't recall how accurate they were, as I have shot very few and mainly over a chrony.
Like you said, the price is right for those JHPs. "
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Thanks!
As for accuracy, out of a LCP, out to 7-10 yds., I was getting 3-4" groups. I'm not bullseye shooter though. In plated, I've used Berry's 100 gr. HBRN. But I really don't recall how accurate they were, as I have shot very few and mainly over a chrony.
Like you said, the price is right for those JHPs. "
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Thanks!
JimKirk
Member
Forgot to say that my Wife's Bersa Thunder is a sweet shooting gun ... scary accurate ... just a little big for "pocket" carry ... but a nice gun for the money ...
The Ruger LCP is a nice "pocket" gun ... shoots OK for a "little" gun ... I don't have recoil issues as some seem to ... been reliable and shoots every time I pull the trigger ...
I have fed both gun the same XTP/Titegroup load and the XTP/AA5 load ... np problems with either gun with either load ...
Will grab a bottle of CFE next time I see some around ... just to try.
The Ruger LCP is a nice "pocket" gun ... shoots OK for a "little" gun ... I don't have recoil issues as some seem to ... been reliable and shoots every time I pull the trigger ...
I have fed both gun the same XTP/Titegroup load and the XTP/AA5 load ... np problems with either gun with either load ...
Will grab a bottle of CFE next time I see some around ... just to try.
Have you fired any of these into any sort of test media to see how/if they open? I used to test JHPs in water jugs to see if they'd open / how many jugs they'd penetrate. Not very scientific...but at least it provides some comparison between different bullet designs. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to a range that allows those sorts of "targets".
I'd been eyeing TJ Conevera's 9mm and .380 JHPs for a while, and just got boxes of the 95gr and 124gr to try out, but have not loaded any yet.
Gearhead Jim
Member
Speaking only for myself-
It's difficult to get hollowpoints to open up at .380 velocities, though the Gold Dot factory ammo I carry usually does.
For practice ammo, I'm mostly interested in a bullet shape that approximates the Gold Dot, so that every practice shot is (approximately) testing whether the gun will feed the GD properly. The X-Treme 100 gr plated FP also does that, but plated bullets have their other issues. The Coneveras 90 gr JHP cost barely more than plated, so I'm considering them and any expansion in gel would be an extra bonus.
It's difficult to get hollowpoints to open up at .380 velocities, though the Gold Dot factory ammo I carry usually does.
For practice ammo, I'm mostly interested in a bullet shape that approximates the Gold Dot, so that every practice shot is (approximately) testing whether the gun will feed the GD properly. The X-Treme 100 gr plated FP also does that, but plated bullets have their other issues. The Coneveras 90 gr JHP cost barely more than plated, so I'm considering them and any expansion in gel would be an extra bonus.
Dudedog
I'm setup for loading 380, but after trying a few recipes I kinda back-burner'd it. Your thread reminds me I need to get back to it, and find a decent fun-to-shoot recipe for my PA 63 (I'm much happier shooting nuclear 10mm loads than anything out of that gun).
Anyway, I've got 90gr XTP, 95gr Badman, 95gr Win, ect... Happy to send some your way if you want to try some different bullets out.
Never thought of 120-TC (124gr as dropped) in the 380, but I've got a pile of those coated with RAL.
A range report is the only condition
I'm setup for loading 380, but after trying a few recipes I kinda back-burner'd it. Your thread reminds me I need to get back to it, and find a decent fun-to-shoot recipe for my PA 63 (I'm much happier shooting nuclear 10mm loads than anything out of that gun).
Anyway, I've got 90gr XTP, 95gr Badman, 95gr Win, ect... Happy to send some your way if you want to try some different bullets out.
Never thought of 120-TC (124gr as dropped) in the 380, but I've got a pile of those coated with RAL.
A range report is the only condition
jwrowland77
Member
Never thought of 120-TC (124gr as dropped) in the 380, but I've got a pile of those coated with RAL.
A range report is the only condition
They shoot great from my Walther PK380. My 11yo daughter has an absolute blast shooting the loads using 120gr TC. I'm using 1.9gr of Bullseye from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.
lauderdale
Member
Nice! would love to have one.
alexcue
Member
Colt Gov't 380, Bersa Firestorm 380, Ruger LC380, shooting Xtreme 100gr FP
Titegroup did real well as did N310. I've also used W231 (HP38) which were pretty consistent just dirty. I tried BE-86 but it was not very accurate. YMMV
Titegroup did real well as did N310. I've also used W231 (HP38) which were pretty consistent just dirty. I tried BE-86 but it was not very accurate. YMMV
No, I wasn't too concerned about HP performance, as the price was right. Anyhow, the last time I took water jugs to the range, (for 45 Auto) all I got was 5 destroyed jugs and a wet sawhorse. Not bullet recovery.
I haven't even had the chance to chrony them. Soon though...
Get the Conevera's, I don't think you can go wrong with them. They will last me a while.
Artofgolf
Member
Yep, we had very interesting discussions in those earlier threads. DD, don't forget to consider the Berry's HBRN 100gr for plinkers; they work great.
We've been buying the seconds direct from Berry's for an economical pill ~ range fodder. I'll send some your way if needed.
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Dudedog
Contributing Member
Duvel,
would love to give them a try.
jell-dog sent me a bunch of the Berrys 100gr RNHB and CMJs to try.
kcofohio is sending me some samples and I bought 500 100gr Xtreme RNFPs to try.
Range test coming up,
Did I mention you guys are Great!
would love to give them a try.
jell-dog sent me a bunch of the Berrys 100gr RNHB and CMJs to try.
kcofohio is sending me some samples and I bought 500 100gr Xtreme RNFPs to try.
Range test coming up,
Did I mention you guys are Great!
Hondo 60
Member
I haven't seen a bottle of #5 on the shelf in years.
Seriously the last time I found #5 was 2013.
Anyway, Titegroup & Universal are my favorite powders for .380
ljnowell
Member
I've seen #5 in stock at powder valley recently. It's #2 that has really disappeared. Though #5 was a ghost powder for a few years too.
Edit: I checked and found powder valley has 1 and 8 lb containers of #5.
LiveLife
Member
I have 95 gr Montana Gold JHP, 100 gr RMR HM RN and 100 gr X-Treme RNFP bullets I can PIF.Dudedog said:
Let me know and I can send you a sample package.
There is no SAAMI +P rating for 380 AUTO
Buffalo Bore and perhaps other market such ammo but it's just ammo loaded above specified specs.
JamieC
Member
3.5 gr Power Pistol, 105gr Bayou Bullet TC. P238, the wife loves it!
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Dudedog
Contributing Member
Thanks everybody for all your kind offers.
I am feeling a little bit under the weather today
so let me think about it and I will let you know.
Calling it an early night tonight.
DD
I am feeling a little bit under the weather today
so let me think about it and I will let you know.Calling it an early night tonight.
DD
Toprudder
Member
Yeah, Accurate powders were hard to find 6 months ago. Plenty of #5 recently at the local gun shows, and #2 has shown up at a couple of nearby vendors in the last week.
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Dudedog
Contributing Member
Starting to feel better and was able to pick up the pistol.
Wonder if the 10 day waiting period is what made me ill.
As you can see it is small so shooting it should be interesting, maybe a bit more
challenging than my 1911 9mm.
kcofohio, a big thanks for the bullets got them today, nice looking bullets and the TJ Conevera's HPs look really sweet. (looks like West bound packages are faster, mine to you won't be there for another day)
Looking forward to loading for it and testing.
Hondo 60, nice to hear Titegroup and Universal. I really like Universal for 9mm as well.
Wonder if the 10 day waiting period is what made me ill.
As you can see it is small so shooting it should be interesting, maybe a bit more
challenging than my 1911 9mm.
kcofohio, a big thanks for the bullets got them today, nice looking bullets and the TJ Conevera's HPs look really sweet. (looks like West bound packages are faster, mine to you won't be there for another day)
Looking forward to loading for it and testing.
Hondo 60, nice to hear Titegroup and Universal. I really like Universal for 9mm as well.
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Starting to feel better and was able to pick up the pistol.
Wonder if the 10 day waiting period is what made me ill.
As you can see it is small so shooting it should be interesting, maybe a bit more
challenging than my 1911 9mm.
kcofohio, a big thanks for the bullets got them today, nice looking bullets and the TJ Conevera's HPs look really sweet. (looks like West bound packages are faster, mine to you won't be there for another day)
Looking forward to loading for it and testing.
DD, you're welcome! I have a bit of a variety and plenty. Looking forward to your results.
I had a Kahr (CW9) on the lower end once. Not a bad gun. Most highly polished feed ramp I had seen from a factory gun.
Thanks in advance for the bullets from your end. Weather seems to be breaking here. Chrony has been lonely. Needs a date at the range.
Potatohead
Member
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Eek. Wish I had one...Im still broad-side-of-the-barning it w my 380.
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