Question for 380 reloaders...

[ssyoumans]

I've been loading 380 on & off for a while, using 88 gr JHP's or 95gr FMJ w/3.0 gr bullseye. I've also loaded up using 95gr MBC Secret Agents with Bullseye & Unique.

It is time to pickup some more bullets & I'm thinking about trying some of the plated bullets for a while, either Berry's or Rainier's.
Which bullet do my fellow THR loaders prefer? Rainier 95gr RN, Rainier 100gr RN, or Berry's 100gr HBRN.
Does the HB really help or hinder and is the longer profile of the 100gr HBRN a problem with OAL?

What's your favorite loads using the following powders.. Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, 231? I'm shooting out of a Sig P238 which has been extremely reliable for me.

 

[rcmodel]

I have loaded one 250 round box of the Berry 100 RNHB for use in my Kel-Tec.
Only thing I noticed was the recoil was heavier then with 90 grain bullets I had been using.
More of a punch feeling somehow in the little K-T.
No apparent difference in my SIG P232-SL.

I really wish Berry would make one 90 grain instead of two different 100's, as it would be possible to more closely approximate the feel & POI of most other .380 factory ammo with a 90 grain.

I have loaded the 100 Berry RNHB with 3.3 Green Dot, or 3.3 Red-Dot.
Tried 4.0 Unique, but finally backed off to 3.8.

The HB causes no problem with proper OAL.

rc

 

[rfwobbly]

Can't speak to .380, but have loaded a lot of the Berry 124gr FPHB and they shoot very nicely.

 

[steelslide]

Ruger LCP

3.2 gn w/231
Starline brass
Winchester small pistol primers
90gn Hornady XTP/HP

They shoot very well and function flawlessly and super accurate.
I use Lee carbide dies and use the factory crimp die in the final station to get the taper crimp just right.

 

[tom357mag]

3.2 grns Unique
Sm pistol primer
Berrys 100 grn HBRN
or
Missouri Bullet 95 Grn RN

 

[JDGray]

I load Missouri Bullet 95gr, over 4.2gr Power Pistol, .965" oal. Shoot very well out of my LCP

 

[HOWARD J]

I make it simple.
I use 3.8 gr. Unique for plated or not plated for 88 to 100 gr. bullet
Works ok in my P238, Kel-tec P3AT & Walther PPK.

 

[jeepmor]

Taking notes, thanks. Never had an issue with any mfr in other calibers no matter how hot I loaded them. Never in .380 thus far, for the record.

 

[zxcvbob]

I bought a box of Berry's 100 grain hollow base bullets a couple of months ago, but haven't had a chance to try them yet. (been loading and shooting 9mm Mak instead of .380 lately)

My usual .380 loads are 4.2 grains of Unique or 3.1 grains of International with 95 grain cast bullets. The International load is a little milder and easier to practice with. Both loads would be too hot with 100 grain bullets.

Load the HB bullet to the same length as a flat base. It won't make any difference in the load data. The hollow base just give the bullet a longer bearing surface to engage the rifling.

 

[ssyoumans]

Thanks for all the tips & experiences so far.. I finished up my last ~100 95gr MBC LRN, 2.8gr Bullseye @ .972". I've fired from 2.3-3.0gr of BE and they all seem to function well in my Sig P238 (guess I got one that seems to work reliably).

Still haven't decided if I want to order more lead, try the plated, or even try some Montanna Gold 95gr JHP (yes, I know they don't expand but they look prettier than the 95gr FMJ ). Kind of an odd weight, wonder why they don't do 88 or 90gr JHP... oh well.

 

[Clarence]

I've loaded 5 thousand or so of the Berry's 100 gr Flat base bullets using 2.8 grains of Titegroup. They shoot extremely well at 7 yds out of a Sig 232

 

[RandyP]

I had to go look at one of the boxes. Berry 100 gr RNFB is what I use. Kills every paper zombie I shoot.