The Wiry Irishman
Member
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.
I'm building up compensated gun for steel challenge and am getting to the point in the project where I need to think about loading. I don't need to meet any power factor for this, but I would like to have the option of doing USPSA/IPSC Open, so I'm going to shoot for minor power factor (125,000 bullet weight times velocity) Its pretty common for the USPSA/IPSC Open guys to make minor loads just by dropping a 95gr. .380 hollowpoint on their regular 9mm major load, typically somewhere between 6 and 7 grains of Winchester Auto-Comp. (I've seen a few guys running compressed charges over 7 grains, too) With that tiny little bullet and all that high pressure gas to run the comp, I've decided this is the way I want to go.
Reminder, 9mm major is way, WAY over SAAMI spec, and the 95gr load I am talking about likely is as well. Be VERY cautious working with loads like these.
What I can't find, however, is good data on OAL using .380 bullets in 9mm. This is where I would like some insight. Has anyone done any loads like this before? What OAL did you use? Are you seating with a minimum of bullet inside the case to get closer to regular 9mm OAL and allow more case volume for powder, seating to the same depth you would in a regular .380, or playing around with OAL until you find the one that feeds best in your gun? Does anyone happen to have a copy of QuickLoad they could run a few of these scenarios on? If not, I've got a feeling that considering the pressures involved here, I should probably invest in a copy before starting the physical process.
I'm building up compensated gun for steel challenge and am getting to the point in the project where I need to think about loading. I don't need to meet any power factor for this, but I would like to have the option of doing USPSA/IPSC Open, so I'm going to shoot for minor power factor (125,000 bullet weight times velocity) Its pretty common for the USPSA/IPSC Open guys to make minor loads just by dropping a 95gr. .380 hollowpoint on their regular 9mm major load, typically somewhere between 6 and 7 grains of Winchester Auto-Comp. (I've seen a few guys running compressed charges over 7 grains, too) With that tiny little bullet and all that high pressure gas to run the comp, I've decided this is the way I want to go.
Reminder, 9mm major is way, WAY over SAAMI spec, and the 95gr load I am talking about likely is as well. Be VERY cautious working with loads like these.
What I can't find, however, is good data on OAL using .380 bullets in 9mm. This is where I would like some insight. Has anyone done any loads like this before? What OAL did you use? Are you seating with a minimum of bullet inside the case to get closer to regular 9mm OAL and allow more case volume for powder, seating to the same depth you would in a regular .380, or playing around with OAL until you find the one that feeds best in your gun? Does anyone happen to have a copy of QuickLoad they could run a few of these scenarios on? If not, I've got a feeling that considering the pressures involved here, I should probably invest in a copy before starting the physical process.
