loading 380Acp AA#2 or HP38?

[Wildbillz]

Hi All
I am getting ready to load up some 380Acp ammo. I have the Speer 95grn TMJ bullets, primers and powders. Any preference of the two listed powders? I have AA#2 and HP38.

Data for the AA#2 is pretty clean cut. For the HP38/Win231 its a little cloudy. Hodgdon sight listed a 2.9grn start with a 3.2grn max load for HP38/Win231. Now that is with a FMJ bullet. The Speer sight listed a start of 3.6grn with a max of 4.0grn, but only list it as Win231. This is with the TMJ bullet. But its starts over the max of what hodgdon has posted So same bullet weight but one is FMJ and the other TMJ. Is there that much difference in the type of bullet? Or am I over thinking this?

Thanks
WB

 

[ArchAngelCD]

W231 and HP-38 are the same powder so you don't need to have both listed. It's a proven fact so no conjecture necessary since Hodgdon and St. Mark's powder has clearly stated it.

I use W231 but I'm sure AA#2 will work just fine.

 

[cfullgraf]

If memory serves me correctly, the Speer TMJ bullet is plated while Hornady's FMJ bullet is a copper cup/lead core bullet. The construction is different enough that the loading data can be different. There are a host of other possible reasons for the differences as well.

As far as the powders, what ArchAngelCD said.

 

[Walkalong]

I used AA#2 back in the day because it metered so well at the low charge weights. W231 metered pretty well, but AA #2 was always spot on, and both shot about the same for me accuracy wise in a Colt Mustang I no longer have.

 

[JJFitch]

TMJ and FMJ are not the same and require different load data. Follow the powder or bullet manufacturers recipe.
Some manufacturers are calling their thickly plated bullets TMJ. W231/HP38 and AA-2 are pretty close in burn rates. Either powder will be fine for that case/bullet!

Your gun will tell which bullet/powder recipe it likes!

Smiles,

 

[murf]

i use w231 (same as hp38) exclusively for the accuracy. i need all i can get out of my lcpII!

luck,

murf

 

[irishlad]

i use w231 (same as hp38) exclusively for the accuracy. i need all i can get out of my lcpII!

luck,

murf

+1
I use 3.0 gr and 100 gr hornady fmj in both my 380s.

 

[Dudedog]

I really like AA#2 for .380,meters great in .380 size charges. (and larger ones also)
If you haven't used AA#2 before it honestly does meter great.
For Full power stuff I like CFE-P (I have some Silhouette I need to give a try for full power .380 as well)
Note: Short 2.5" barrel takes a velocity hit from most published #s

Mixed range brass, S+B SP
Kahr P380 2.5" barrel
Charges as thrown after setting measure

String: 2
Date: 8/14/2016
Time: 9:23:07 AM
Grains: 100
Hi Vel: 862
Low Vel: 843
Ave Vel: 853
Ext Spread: 19
Std Dev: 7
380 100gr Xtreme RNFP 4.0 CFE-P (listed MAX is 4.0 of CFE-P)
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
862 77.58 148.477
843 75.87 142.004
855 76.95 146.075
850 76.5 144.372
856 77.04 146.417

Date: 5/15/2016
Time: 12:47:27 PM
Grains: 90
Hi Vel: 793
Low Vel: 777
Ave Vel: 784
Ext Spread: 16
Std Dev: 7
380 3.1 #2 CMJ 100gr RN (3.2 is listed MAX with a 100gr so .1 under MAX on this one)
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
793 71.37 125.658
777 69.93 120.639
779 70.11 121.26
788 70.92 124.079
(5th one didn't read)

Factory Federal for reference
String: 2
Date: 8/14/2016
Time: 8:44:02 AM
Grains: 95
Hi Vel: 845
Low Vel: 826
Ave Vel: 832
Ext Spread: 19
Std Dev: 7
Federal .380 95 FMJ
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
845 80.275 150.605
828 78.66 144.606
835 79.325 147.061
829 78.755 144.955
826 78.47 143.908

 

[presspuller]

I use AA#2. It's accurate enough for me and it meters well.

 

[Wildbillz]

Thanks all
I will try a doing a batch of both and see which works best in the gun.

I knew that Win231 and HP38 were the same, but found it interesting that the manual didn't list the HP38 for it.

WB

 

[drband]

I use AA#2 and load powder-puff rounds for my wife's .380. Never fails to perform and (as noted) always meters accurately.

 

[mdi]

When I'm deciding on a load/powder charge and OAL, I will go with the bullet manufacturer's data. Reloading manuals are just reports of the findings of one lab, using their components, on their equipment. Many variables so published data will vary, but in this case the bullets are constructed differently so the bullet manufacturer's data is best...