Lee 105 gr. SWC in .380 question.

[LivewireBlanco]

I'm using HP-38/Win 231 and the Lee 105 SWC cast bullets sized to .358 for my Sig P238. I'm about to test some of these at 2.6 and 2.8 grains of powder. The bullets have to seat pretty far down to pass the plunk test. I know I could size them down smaller but I wanted to see if these would work so they could pull double duty with my .38. Anybody develop anything similar using this mold and a .380?

 

[LAGS]

I have never tried those bullets in a .380, but both the .380's I have owned , Didn't like anything but RN bullets.
Have you shot TC bullets in your gun before ? or HP's

 

[cfullgraf]

I have cast and shot a boat load of the Lee 105 SWC bullets in a Beretta M84. Worked great.

Unless you slugged your P238 barrel, you probably want to size the bullet to .356 not .358. The 380 ACP is a nominal 9mm bore.

 

[LiveLife]

Before you do anything else, as cfullgraf suggested, I would slug the barrel to determine the groove diameter. If the groove diameter is .356", I would try .357"/.358" sized bullets given the finished rounds will fit the chamber (.358" sized bullet loads may not fit the chamber). If the groove diameter is .355", I would resize the bullets to .356".

And I would definitely exercise caution. Lyman #49 lists 2.1/3.2 gr as start/max charges for 120 gr lead RN bullet loaded to .980" OAL but used .355" test barrel and .355" sized lead bullets (Why? I don't know. So if I am using larger sized bullet for the barrel, I would be conservative with my load development).

If you are using larger sized .357"/.358" bullets for .356" barrel and seat them deeper (like .915"), I would use 2.0 gr as my start charge and test 2.2 and 2.4 gr. If the rounds feed well and reliably cycle the slide/extract/eject the cases without too much snappy recoil, I may then test 2.6 gr.

Here's a thread on using Lee 358-105-SWC in 380 from Castboolits forum - http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?96819-380acp-groans&p=1042080&viewfull=1#post1042080

I'm loading the Lee 105 SWC (358-105) sized down to .356 also. It' weighs out to an almost perfect 110 gr using straight WW alloy ... having great results using HP-38.

Hodgdon data calls for 2.9 starting grains HP-38 for a 110gr HDY FMJ - started with 2.6 & 2.8 grains, and found them to be a little "snappy". Not dangerous or over-pressured, just not real comfortable to shoot.

Dropped down to 2.2 gr and have a very pleasant, accurate plinking round that cycles and feeds reliably.

 

[LivewireBlanco]

I have fed them from the magazine and they feed easily at .358. I'll do as was suggested and start at a lower charge at probably 2.2 gr. These bullets are from pure range scrap and seem to be a pretty soft alloy probably 12 bhn or less. Thanks guys!

 

[LivewireBlanco]

Ok 2.2 grains was nice and easy to shoot. Thanks again!

 

[germ]

I also recently bought this mold for my wife's P238. I found that I can't expand deep enough for the bullet without hitting the case taper and causing buckling. Expanding as deep as I could (without buckling) and then seating to just pass the plunk test, resulted in swaged bases. I never bothered to load any to shoot.

I then bought the Lee Ranch Dog mold 356-95RF. It's a tumble lube design, of which I've never been fond of. For that matter I've never been fond of Lee molds. I pushed it through my Star lubesizer at .357+. Loaded with 3.1 of w231 at oal of .930. I cast those bullets early afternoon and fired 7 of them the same day. BHN was 11. Even with the teenie-tiny amount of BAC lube in those two tiny grooves, there was no leading. My target was at 7yds and all 7rds hit in the black. While I realize 7rds at 7yds is statistically insignificant, I felt very encouraged by the results. I have a feeling this bullet is a keeper. Can't wait to try it powder coated.

Oh, just remembered, I did have one FTF though. This also occured with another bullet I tried. That bullet didn't lead and shot well but resulted in a lot of FTF's. It's a tc design with a short nose. But I'm thinking it may be one particular mag. I haven't marked the mags yet so I'm not sure. Hope to test out a box of the Ranch Dogs this weekend and will pay attention to which mag(s), if any FTF's.

 

[LivewireBlanco]

Germ, I am pretty sure I'm getting some swaged bases but so far the pistol fed them and there was no leading. I'm waiting on a .356 Lee sizing die right now to load up a bunch. I think .358 is pushing it and I'm having a few that don't chamber all the way in like it's seating on the lead driving band instead of the case mouth. I'm not giving up yet!

 

[germ]

My wife's barrel slugged at .3555. Maybe you'll be lucky, but after the .356 I suspect you'll be then going to .357 and seating a bit deeper, where the base will swage even more. Hey, nothing wrong with trying though! On the plus side, both our 938 and the 238 have shown to be pro lead. Good luck.

Yesterday I loaded up 70 cartridges with the ranchdog bullets. Plan to further test 'em out on Sunday.