More .380 Issues

[lpsharp88]

Tried out my first batch of .380 reloads, and they failed horribly. Had failure to feeds and ejects in almost every magazine. I used 2.8gr TiteGroup, 100gr plated, and seated to .98". I'm unsure if the feeding issues were OAL or charge weight induced. Would it be a good idea to add a tenth to the charge and shorten the OAL to .96 or so? I'll post pictures for reference
The dent in the case is from the slide slamming home on the jammed round
The 3rd and 4th pictures show the malfunction still in tact despite the slide being locked back and the magazine removed

 

[lpsharp88]

I'm more inclined to drop the charge a tenth or two and shorten to .96" or so. Just seeing what more experienced people think

 

[wbbh]

I load 100 grain X-Treame plated bullets for my Glock 42. I found it would not function with less than 2.8 grains of TiteGroup and does well with 3.0 grains, the maximum load according to Hodgdon.

With MaxTech factory ammunition, which feels snappier in the G42 than the 3.0 grains loads, my wife has FTF and FTE issues that I do not have. I know hold affects reliability, however she recently replaced her Ruger LC9s with a G43 that works flawlessly for her. She is comfortable shooting a 1911 and SIG P220 in .45 ACP.

 

[rskent]

I'm more inclined to drop the charge a tenth or two and shorten to .96" or so.

I load a little bit longer than .96. More like .975. They feed well in my 42.

I can’t help with the powder. I use a lot of Tightgroup for 9mm.

But for 380 I currently use AA#5. But I will say, dropping the powder charge

in a Glock seems counter intuitive. You will just have to try. Let us know.

 

[lpsharp88]

I load 100 grain X-Treame plated bullets for my Glock 42. I found it would not function with less than 2.8 grains of TiteGroup and does well with 3.0 grains, the maximum load according to Hodgdon.

With MaxTech factory ammunition, which feels snappier in the G42 than the 3.0 grains loads, my wife has FTF and FTE issues that I do not have. I know hold affects reliability, however she recently replaced her Ruger LC9s with a G43 that works flawlessly for her. She is comfortable shooting a 1911 and SIG P220 in .45 ACP.

Do you use the .98" COL? What is kinda confusing to me is the pistol did fine with 95gr UMC ammo, which felt weaker than what I loaded.

 

[lpsharp88]

I load a little bit longer than .96. More like .975. They feed well in my 42.

I can’t help with the powder. I use a lot of Tightgroup for 9mm.

But for 380 I currently use AA#5. But I will say, dropping the powder charge

in a Glock seems counter intuitive. You will just have to try. Let us know.

My idea behind dropping the charge a little was because I am thinking about shortening up the COL as well. I wasn't sure if adding a tenth or two of powder AND shortening up the col by .01 or .015 would be a good idea

 

[Blue68f100]

TG is a powder that is very sensitive to case volume. I would do one or the other BUT NOT at the same time. If you have some all ready loaded up, it's easier to shorten the length and try them. Then on a new batch up the charge a bit if needed.

 

[lpsharp88]

I did some digging around and found Western Powder load data for 100gr plated. They have data for Solo 1000 which is very close in burn rate to TG. They list 2.5-2.9gr seated to .96" (using Ranier 100gr RN plated). Hornady (which is what I used) lists 2.3-3.0gr TG seated to .98" for 100gr FMJ. So I think I'll use TG data but seat to .96". Start low at 2.3 and work up a tenth at a time until I get 100% cycling and watch for signs of pressure.

 

[Zendude]

Tried out my first batch of .380 reloads, and they failed horribly. Had failure to feeds and ejects in almost every magazine. I used 2.8gr TiteGroup, 100gr plated, and seated to .98". I'm unsure if the feeding issues were OAL or charge weight induced. Would it be a good idea to add a tenth to the charge and shorten the OAL to .96 or so? I'll post pictures for reference
The dent in the case is from the slide slamming home on the jammed round
The 3rd and 4th pictures show the malfunction still in tact despite the slide being locked back and the magazine removed

Are you using round nose or flat point bullets? I had to reduce my OAL from .980 to .950 for my 100gr flat points.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I have not loaded the .380 ammo in years. I have a Colt Mustang II, Walther PPK in .380. I bought a 99% Browning 10/71 Target .380 at a gun show. I have every thing to reload the .380.
I am interested in your post and experiences. Does anyone have advise on a beginning accuracy and functioning load? I will likely load for the 10/71 Browning. I loaded for one back in 1980 but times have changed.

 

[mstreddy]

LP, I haven't used Titegroup, but I've loaded both Promo (Red Dot by weight) and Win231 at .955" for the 100gr round and flat nose. The G42 needs warmer loads than other 380s I've loaded for. FTEject, FTExtract, and FTFeed are often indicative of not enough power.

 

[wbbh]

Do you use the .98" COL? What is kinda confusing to me is the pistol did fine with 95gr UMC ammo, which felt weaker than what I loaded.

I use .95" OAL for my loads. I measured some factory loaded Geco and MaxxTech 95grain round nose rounds at .96" OAL.

 

[gonoles_1980]

For my wife I use an OAL of .95, with xtreme FP 124gr, I use 3.6gr of Power Pistol. She loves the loads, I'm not thrilled because about 20% roll out onto the shooting floor. My wife shoots a Beretta 380 Pico. I think the OAL would be slightly longer for conical bullets.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I load all my 380s to 0.980, using Berrys 100gr RN plated. Can't speak to load because I've used only with 2.8 gr of win231 or 3.8 cfe pistol.

 

[lbs]

I too load power pistol, 3.6 /3.7 95 /100gr fmj on a Dillon 550. I don't know length, it's a set it and forget it.
Cz 83 and sig 938 no problems in either gun.or is it a 238? I wish sig would come up with some names for these things.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I have the Berry's Bullets and Win. 231 so I will try that load.

 

[kcofohio]

TG is a powder that is very sensitive to case volume. I would do one or the other BUT NOT at the same time. If you have some all ready loaded up, it's easier to shorten the length and try them. Then on a new batch up the charge a bit if needed.

I beg to differ with you on that. Hodgdon advertises Titegroup to be less case positioning sensitive than most other powders.

I tried it out over a chrony in 380 coming from a barrel down and barrel up position. Don't have the data handy, but only had about 25 fps difference between the 2 out of 10 shots each.

 

[Blue68f100]

I did not say position sensitive. I said Volume sensitive. You reduce your OAL by 0.020" in a high pressure round at max load and you may have a KBOOM.

 

[kcofohio]

I did not say position sensitive. I said Volume sensitive. You reduce your OAL by 0.020" in a high pressure round at max load and you may have a KBOOM.

Okay, gotcha! Sorry about the misunderstanding.

 

[lpsharp88]

Thanks for the help! I'm going to shorten up the COL to around .96" and re-do a workup.

 

[crankyoldlady]

My Glock 42 is very ammo particular. Rounds must be hot to cycle the slide.

My favored handload:
100 grain Rainier plated round nose
3 grains Titegroup
.970 OAL
Federal Primers, mixed headstamp brass, very slight taper crimp

 

[Hondo 60]

I made some ammo with 88 gr Rem JHP.
3.1 Gr Titegroup @ .980" OAL.
(used data for a 90 gr Hornady XTP)

They're a bit snappy, but function flawlessly in a Ruger LCP, with decent accuracy

 

[JimKirk]

Hornady Manual #9 gives a Max load of 3.4 grains of Titegroup under the XTP 90 grain bullet ....

I have shot a few out of my Ruger LCP and they are snappy ....I load them now at 3.2 grains....still good strong loads but less snappy...

 

[wlkjr]

I hope you've figured out your problem by now. The G42 likes loads close to max. My findings were with either a Berry or Xtreme plated bullet, 3.0 TG worked best, but Bullseye and W231 also worked good at 3.0-3.1 at .960 oal.
The load I now use is 3.1gr W231 with a Hi-Tek coated cast bullet that drops out at 98gr. Even my wife can shoot these without any malfunctions.

 

[joneb]

Is this 100 gr bullet a FP profile? if so I would seat to .950" but that COL is firearm specific. I load 3 or 4 dummy rounds to find a workable COL and charge accordingly.