loading 380 lead bullets need grains

[badbowtie]

I am going to start loading .380 it is for my bodyguard. I have looked in my lee and hornady book and neither one of them show the vance 95 RN lead bullets I just bought I have unique and bullseye powder to try. Under the 100 grain lead bullet they only show two powders that I don't have. I am not sure what book covers these or what sites are out there to get some more info on formulas.

 

[jcwit]

I load .380 with a 90 grain lead bullet, my loads are 2.1 gr. of Bullseye, 2.9 gr. of Accurate #2, and last 2.7 gr. of Winchester 231. Bullets are sized to .356 and over all cartridge length is .980.

Hope this helps.

 

[sourdough44]

win 231 gets high marks for 380 loading. Unique should work O.K. if you can measure consistant charges of the somewhat course powder. As you mentioned I'd look to 100 grn lead data.

 

[rcmodel]

If you shoot lead bullets, you need to get a Lyman #49 manual, or the Lyman cast bullet handbook.

They show a 90 grain (as cast) RN bullet with 12 different powders.

It will be close to a 95 when the bullet lube is added to it.

rc

 

[badbowtie]

Well I went and bought a couple things and ended up buying leyman 49 book to have another to compare to.

 

[badbowtie]

So I tried to load a couple rounds using the classic turret and the pro auto powder with the adjustable charging bar. Using unique and using bullseye and I can not keep it consitent enough that I can load about 2 or 3 then it drops way down on powder charge. I was trying to load 2.4 using bullseye and tried about 3.0 using unique. It almost acts like it is just to course of powder that it does not want to drop in the small little hole. I am not sure what to try using 95 gr lead bullets

 

[rcmodel]

Once you fill the powder hopper, you have to cycle 10-20 drops through it before the powder in the hoppers compacts down where it will be when you are loading.

There is no way it won't change if you just fill the hopper and gofer it.

The first few charges will probably be heavy from pouring it in the hopper, then a few will be right, then it will start getting heavier as the powder compacts in the hopper from press vibration.

Consistent operation every time is the key to consistent powder charges.
If you bang the handle one time, and ease it up & down the next, you simply cannot get the same powder throws.

rc

 

[badbowtie]

I am just not sure if the adjustable is the problem it is so small of a smashed looking hole. I would try the disk but I guess that is disk A which is the one I can not find anywere. I have also read were people have siad it could be static something about using a dryer sheet somewere not real sure what the deal with that is.

 

[LightningMan]

My standard load for 95 gr. RNL bullets for the .380 is 2.5 grs. of Bullseye. Works good in all my pocket .380 pistols. LM

 

[badbowtie]

Do you use the adjustable charging bar to get 2.5?

 

[1SOW]

You need the micro-discs for Win 231 and Bullseye below 3.0grs.

The adj. charge bar, I only use to "develop" loads and weigh every charge. It is not consistent for me.

 

[zxcvbob]

I use 95 grain RNL bullets and 4.2 grains of Unique. This is a max load, or really close to it, so start at 3.8 and work up to it. I don't have my notes handy for the OAL, but it might be a little different with your bullets anyway (all the more reason to start low and work up)

 

[LightningMan]

badbowtie, I use a Lee perfect powder measure for metering my charge. LM

 

[Oldgoat03]

I agree with everything RC said

I agree with everything RC said. In my short experience I too have found that "Consistent operation every time is the key to consistent powder charges."

I load with Win 231 on a Lee Classic Turret Press, Pro Disc Powder measure and the Lee adjustable powder meter (rather than a disc). I have had good luck holding consistent charges (within .1 gn) once I establish a rythm and consistent mechanics.

Measure every charge until you are certain....my 2 cents.

Have fun and be safe!
Bob

 

[Oldgoat03]

Update loading 380 on Lee Classict Turret with Pro Disc

The good new is that I never stop learning. The bad news is I was attempting to load 100 rds of 380 with Berry's 100 gr plated bullets over Win 231.

My intent was to start with 2.4 gr and build up to 2.8. I started the batch with the Lee micro adjustable meter which has worked very consistently for me on laods for my .45ACP and .40S&W etc. What I hadn't realized until now was that I couldn't consistantly throw less than a 3 gr charge. Below that they were all over the place. So switched to use one of the discs that came with it the measure and quickly discovered that they would also only drop the smallest charge of 3.1 consistently using this powder. Up until this point I didn't realize I needed the "micro disc" for the size charges I wanted and have since ordered one.

I did manage to finish the 100 rd batch as intended but measured each by hand and loaded 20 each at 2.4, 2.5,2.6,2.7 2.8 gr to find out which shoots best in my S&W Bodygard.

Live and learn
Bob

 

[saitek]

.380

i had to go to speer #8 manual to get loading info on 95 grain lead bullets.

unique 3.5 gr cci 500 primer .970 overall length
this works good for my cz83 ,makarov and kel tec
i never use that type of powder measure with this small amount of powder ,i use a lee perfect powder measure with a electronic scale to weigh and a powder trickler . i weigh every powder charge .