Reloading 380 acp

[vjay]

Hello, new to this forum and reloading.
I don't own a reloading manual right now, so I'am looking for some advice to reload 380acp for my CZ83.

This is what I have:

-IMR 700x
-Hercules Green Dot
-Hercules Red Dot
-Hercules Herco

-105gr lead bullets (I cast them myself)

-CCI 500 small pistol primers


I know bullseye and unique are more commonly used on this round, but its hard to get powder where I live, so I must work with what I currently own
So any starting load on those powders?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[rcmodel]

You really need to get some reloading manuals.
It should be your first priority to buy some and read them before you get into reloading.

Any info you get from the internet is risky, and from an unknown source usually.

With that said:

I'd try, at your own risk:
700X = 2.0 Start - 2.5 MAX.
Green Dot = 2.5 Start - 3.1 MAX.
Red Dot = 2.0 Start - 2.8 MAX.

I don't think Herco is going to work so hot.

rc

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Red Dot will do well under a cast slug.
get a manual or go to some web sites for data and work up until you find a load that functions and shoots well.

 

[bellyup039]

vJay,

I just got back into reloading and have some manuals. But I also looked online
If you go to the powder manufactures websites Most have the manual's on there.

Try this link I got it from IMR's website.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[vjay]

Thanks guys, I think I'll get a manual asap.

rcmodel, I might use those green dot loads meanwhile, many people so far, recommend me very similar numbers

 

[Steve H]

get the book and read it at least twice and for .380 make sure you have REAL SMALL fingers

 

[bedwards1]

The 380 case is VERY fragile also. It will not tolerate much abuse. I loaded sr 4756 (don't remember what GR.) in mine under 100gr lead Magnus FPBB. I'm still waiting on my Lyman moulds. Had to adjust the OAL to feed in the Bersa magazine reliably.

be

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Red Dot is similar in pressure and burn rate to Bullseye but has more 'bulk' and is cleaner IMO.
it's the favorite of many .38spcl cast slug 'target load' shooters.
it has done well in the several .380acp pistol I've owned under 95gr cast slugs.
I'm not familiar with Green Dot, never used it but it's some slower than Red Dot.

 

[Byron]

Hornady manuals are good. Please do not make the .380 a 9MM. Stay within the limits of the manuals. Byron

 

[vjay]

Thanks for all the help so far

Probably a bit off topic, but, since I'll be shooting mostly lead cast bullets, which manuals should I get first?

thanks
vj

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman #49.

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

Those are the only two manuals that have any lead bullet .380 ACP data worth having.

rc

 

[edelbrock]

A good book to read for beginners is The ABC's of Reloading. I would recommend reading that before starting to reload anything. As far as the lead cast bullets, I have heard the Lyman manual has good lead cast data in it but I don't know for sure since I do not have it.

 

[ranger335v]

Even without a manual, most powder companies put good loading data on their web sites.

 

[moooose102]

You may not even have to buy a loading book. Our local library system has several different books available, and a website that makes ordering them easy. Check out your local library and see if you can borrow the info for free! That said, reloading manuals are an invaluable source. When i got into loading, i thought one was as good as another. Now, i have 6 different full blown manuals, plus several "magazine type" manuals. And i am certain i am not done yet. There is so much good information in them other than just load data. You just have to have some, and imo, the more, the better.