Need Help .380 Auto?!?!

[jwrowland77]

Need help on what to do since mins and maxes are so far apart.

Using 95gr FMJ RN Magtech. OAL I'm using is .971. Was thinking of taking avg of mins and maxes and using that for my workup. What would you do?

All data is for 95gr except Hornady data, its for 100gr.

 

[jwrowland77]

Here's a picture of the averages I was thinking about using for workup.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I make it a policy to not recommend loading data, but I did want to give you a heads up on FC, CCI and Blazer brass in .380. It has a step on the inside of the case to prevent bullet setback with their bullet. Some commercial bullets will seat to the correct depth for those cases, but some others don't. Those that are too long will cause a case bulge when the shank of the bullet goes past the step in the case. Just something to be aware of.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rcmodel]

Can't help you with Tightgroup.

But 3.8 Unique with a 100 grain Berry is a dang good load in a Kel-Tec P3AT.

rc

 

[[email protected]]

What is the COL each list. The safe bet would be to use the Hornady data since it lists a hevier bullet. I have been loading the lee 102rn with 2.8 grains of bullseye seated ar .970-.974. I would steer clear of unique in the 380. Not because it wont work, but because my powder measure doesnt drop it consistant enough in small charges. What gun are you going to run these through? Mt P3at and HI Point 380 both love this load.

 

[jwrowland77]

I hand measure every load since I have a single stage.

Guns I will be shooting it out of is Walther PK, Bersa Thunder and Tarus PT738.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I hand measure every load since I have a single stage.

Guns I will be shooting it out of is Walther PK, Bersa Thunder and Tarus PT738.

You actually hand weigh for each round?

 

[jwrowland77]

You actually hand weigh for each round?

Yes I do. Lol. Done around 1500-1600 since I started back in March of this year.

 

[kingmt]

Your going to burn your self out. Get a powder measure. A progressive wouldn't hurt ether. Those little case would make me sick fast on a SS.

 

[jwrowland77]

Your going to burn your self out. Get a powder measure. A progressive wouldn't hurt ether. Those little case would make me sick fast on a SS.

Funny thing is, I have a powder measure that came with the kit. Lol. I keep going back the measuring by hand. I actually plan in getting a Hornady Autocharge for Christmas or Lee dippers and components.

Yeah I normally do 50 round batches, but I have been thinking about saving for a progressive for pistol and saving SS for rifle.

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

On January 7, 2011, I took 5 different 380 pistols and worked up loads with 115 gr JHP and Bullseye until something happened. Nothing happened at max published load. I had to add extra powder to get something to happen:

1) case bulge 71% extra powder Kel-Tec P3AT
2) case bulge 71% extra powder Ruger LCP
3) case bulge 119% extra powder Bryco
4) chamber bulge 210% extra powder Beretta 1934 [WWII 0.095" steel not strong enough]
5) no more powder will fit 210% extra powder Browning 1903

 

[James2]

I think you well be fine picking a load about in the middle for beginning your workup. It works for me most of the time. I have only had one exception in all my years of reloading.

The data in the charts tells us what the people who did the testing found in their trials. Of course each of us will have a slightly different set of conditions, so our results will vary. Hence the need to work-up.

I suggest not loading too many at first until you can fire them. I sure hate having to pull 99 bullets........

 

[Walkalong]

When I was loading .380, I liked AA # 2 because it meters like fine sand and throws the same exact charge over and over at those charge weight levels.

While Unique doesn't meter quite as well, it is quite forgiving, is slower than AA # 2, and I bet rcmodels load works well.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Are you talking/wondering about charge weights or OAL's?

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, left that out. I used to load a 95 Gr RN at .985

 

[jwrowland77]

Have a quick question. After crimping I get a measurement of .369-.370. Is this a normal measurement? I'm barely barely flaring the case. I pulled a bullet after crimping while making a dummy round and there were no marks in the jacket. It also had plenty of neck tension. I did the push test on my bench and literally leaned against the bullet, left a mark in the wood and had the same OAL as I did prior to the push test.

 

[ReloaderFred]

If it fits your barrel, and feeds from your magazine, then you're good to go.

Hope this helps.

Fred