Powder for .380Auto

[ZeSpectre]

So far all I've used for reloading has been "unique". I've produced some very accurate and repeatable pistol loads in 9mm, .40 S&W, 38 Special, and .45ACP.

However

It just doesn't seem to be cutting it for .380Auto (out of a Bersa Thunder)

I'm open to suggestions as to what my #2 powder will be and why it is more suitable for .380Auto rounds.

Thanks
Ze

 

[Jayman]

Note: I have only briefly played with .380, and only with Titegroup...

Are you looking for max velocity, or just a consistent combo in terms of accuracy and velocity? I've been a big fan of Titegroup in other calibers, and that may be a good one to try. If you want more velocity, there is a listed load for Power Pistol in .380 as well, and I am a huge fan of that powder.

 

[ants]

Of course, you got lots and lots of choices. But you asked the best in my experience: The best that works for me in my Colt is W231 (or HP-38, same powder). It meters very very well so it gives consistent performance, it isn't dirty, it's easy to get, it's useful in other cartridges, a normal charge fills the case more than half way so it's easy to visually verify, and so forth.

I've also used Titegroup, Unique, Bullseye, and Clays. But 231/HP38 works best for me.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I'd like to take the .380 round into the upper area but I'm looking for consistency/accuracy far more than a maxed out load.

I've had such good results with Unique so far it was quite a surprise to have it behave so oddly as I built up a .380 load.

 

[charby]

I've loaded some with tightgroup for my Bersa.

I've hated loading .380 because the case is so small and hard to handle with my big paws.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm open to suggestions as to what my #2 powder will be

AA # 2. Accurate, meters great, burns very clean, gives excellent ES & SD numbers.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I've hated loading .380 because the case is so small and hard to handle with my big paws.

Heh, that's where 30 years of building fine scale models comes into play <grin>.

 

[17Chap]

I use W231!

Chap

 

[mrwilson]

I really like Power Pistol in .380 under a 102 grn Golden Saber

 

[ZeSpectre]

I really like Power Pistol in .380 under a 102 grn Golden Saber

Interesting. I'm sending you a PM.

 

[rg1]

Best powder I've tried is Accurate Arms #2 in a Colt Gov't and Bersa Thunder .380. For some reason I was getting erratic velocity with Unique and AA#5. I have had good results in .380 and .38 Special with AA#2 using Accurate Arms data.

 

[kimbernut]

.380 Powders

Bullseye, Titegroup, and W-231 all work very well. For safety as in all reloading do a visual powder volume check before seating that bullet.

 

[dannyabear]

231 for plinking; powerpistol for max loads

 

[HisSoldier]

AA5 4.5 grains under 95 gr FMJ RN. I restarted reloading recently after a 20 year hiatus and bought a progressive right off. Reports in forums had me scared of using a powder flow so I started with 3 grains, no worky! The load above seems good for plinking and cycles at least two of my guns. 760ish FPS I think. I chose AA5 because it was the bulkiest powder and I was afraid I'd blow up my gun! AA5 does meter well and consistently compared to Unique.

 

[RidgwayCO]

What Walkalong said, AA #2. Speer #13 shows it as the top velocity choice with a 90gr jacketed bullet.

If you want to go a little more exotic (and expensive), VihtaVuori N320 is also terrific, meters just as accurately as AA #2, but with no leakage out of my Lee Auto-Disk Pro.

You can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Bullseye w/cast slugs. Power Pistol w/jacketed. Golden Sabres shoots best from my BDA.

 

[James Thomson]

I've had good luck with 231, unique, bullseye

 

[Dave R]

What problems were you having with Unique? That's what I use. 4 grains under a 95gr bullet, if my rusty memory serves.

Am I missing something important?

 

[Matt Dillon]

I'm very happy with 3.9 grains of Unique underneath a 95 grain LRN pill

 

[sniper7369]

I use 3.0 or 3.2 gr of W231 under a 95gr LRN for target. Anything less than 2.9gr would not cycle the action on my P-3AT.
3.0gr of Bullseye under a 90gr Speer GDHP works pretty well for me too.
Overall though, I like 231 best for the .380.

 

[BacSi67]

.380 powder

I shoot 2.8 gr. of 700X behind a 95 gr. bullet in my Thunder .380 with good success.
John

 

[ArchAngelCD]

w-231

 

[moooose102]

titegroup, and hp38.

 

[chriske]

For what it's worth :
If memory serves (and it does, I checked) Terry Murbach once tested several powders for .380 ACP loads with a 95 gr cast LRN bullet for Petersen's Handgun Magazine.
I quote : ".. those tests can be summed up in two words : USE BULLSEYE.. no other powder was even close to the accuracy results provided by Bullseye.".
His recipe was 3.0 gr. of Bullseye with the aforementioned bullet & he claimed to have obtained 25 yards groups of 1.95 " (from an Astra Constable II pistol) and 2.76 " (from a Manurhin-Walther PPK/S) at velocities of 903 fps and 890 fps respectively.
Other powders tested included HP 38, W-231, AA n° 2 and W- 452-AA.

 

[71Commander]

I really like Power Pistol in .380 under a 102 grn Golden Saber

What is the load for this combo? Thanks.