Starting to reload a new cartridge

[vaalpens]

Sweet, nice looking pistol.

Thanks!

 

[joneb]

So for now I'll probably be starting with the following COL's for plunk and setback testing,

I seat three bullets in empty unprimed cases to test such things, this practise has worked well for me.

 

[Highland Lofts]

We picked up a used Ruger 380 LCP for the grandson. He loves it. I loaded up a few rounds to try out. Once he shot them up I loaded another 500 rounds. I'd have to check the load data. I enjoy loading for the 380.

 

[vaalpens]

I seat three bullets in empty unprimed cases to test such things, this practise has worked well for me.

Thanks! That is normally what I also do for every new bullet I try. The dummy bullets are then used for cycling, setback and plunk testing.

 

[vaalpens]

We picked up a used Ruger 380 LCP for the grandson. He loves it. I loaded up a few rounds to try out. Once he shot them up I loaded another 500 rounds. I'd have to check the load data. I enjoy loading for the 380.

Thanks! I'll work up my loads, but I do appreciate any load data and test results you can provide. It helps with the decision making since it provides additional data points.

 

[joneb]

When loading for 380 acp I found choosing a powder that meters well is a big plus, sorry to repeat but Accurate #2,#5 W-231 and Bullseye work well. I'm sure there are more. I found with the small case volume of the 380 acp the margin of error is less when loading up. Stay safe.

 

[vaalpens]

When loading for 380 acp I found choosing a powder that meters well is a big plus, sorry to repeat but Accurate #2,#5 W-231 and Bullseye work well. I'm sure there are more. I found with the small case volume of the 380 acp the margin of error is less when loading up. Stay safe.

Thanks! It seems that is the consensus. Powders on the faster side works better, but find something the meters well.

I know I am going to start with W231/HP38, but I also like to start with something on the other side of the spectrum, probably CFE Pistol, BE86 or AA#5.

 

[joneb]

I have not tried BE 86 for 380acp, that would be worth a shot for sure

 

[vaalpens]

I have not tried BE 86 for 380acp, that would be worth a shot for sure

Another one I might try is W244. It is one of those Hodgdon powders that is listed with a .5gr instead of just .3gr. maybe a little bit more room for error.

 

[vaalpens]

I took the next step in the process today, and created some dummy rounds. Initially I am going to load the 95gr RMR FMJ's , so that is what I used for the dummy rounds. My target COL is going to be .970", but the dummy rounds are not exactly that COL, since I was tuni9ng the seating depth as I was creating the dummy rounds.

Dummy rounds: 4
PPU headstamp: 2
Perfecta headstamp: 2
COL1: .9665"
COL2: .9715"
COL3: .9700"
COL4: .9705"

Plunk tested all of them, with no issues at all.

Manually cycled each one of them 3 times through the LCP, with no setback at all.

Then did a bathroom scale test where I pushed each one down tp +-20lbs, held for 5 seconds. No setback at all after this test.

So it looks like it is time to decide on the first loads, and then test them.

 

[joneb]

Cool a locked breach action. Slower powders should perform well.

 

[vaalpens]

Cool a locked breach action. Slower powders should perform well.

Correct, but everything is tiny on the LCP.

 

[vaalpens]

To keep things simple, I think I will start with Hodgdon load data and powders. The plan is to initially use two powders, one faster and one slower, and then another two powders. The highlighted powders are what I am planning to use with Titegroup and W244 paired, and HP-38 and CFE Pistol paired.




I will load these loads with a COL of .970" and CCI 500 primers. The primers could be changed to Federal 100's if the cases I use have tight primer pockets and the Federal primers will work better. Based on the above load data it seems I should be able to have my normal 6 loads to , except for HP-38. maybe I'll just start lower with HP38 and still create 6 loads.

It is probably time to stop talking/typing and start doing. Finalize the load data and start loading. More to come.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

To keep things simple, I think I will start with Hodgdon load data and powders. The plan is to initially use two powders, one faster and one slower, and then another two powders. The highlighted powders are what I am planning to use with Titegroup and W244 paired, and HP-38 and CFE Pistol paired.

View attachment 1176635
View attachment 1176636

I will load these loads with a COL of .970" and CCI 500 primers. The primer s could be changed to Federal 100's if the cases I use have tight primer pockets and the Federal primers will work better. Based on the above load data it seems i should be able to have my normal 6 loads to , except for HP-38. maybe I'll just start lower with HP38 and still create 6 loads.

It is probably time to stop talking/typing and start doing. Finalize the load data and start loading. More to come.

If CFE (copper fouling eliminator) is not available try Autocomp. I just finished doing some load work up with it in .33H&RMag, .380ACP, 9Mak, and 9mm and it behaves nicely across the load range - however it does have a narrower range than CFE.

 

[vaalpens]

If CFE (copper fouling eliminator) is not available try Autocomp. I just finished doing some load work up with it in .33H&RMag, .380ACP, 9Mak, and 9mm and it behaves nicely across the load range - however it does have a narrower range than CFE.

Thanks. I have a little bit of AutoComp left, but much more CFE Pistol. I'll go the CFE Pistol route for now.

 

[vaalpens]

I selected the RP headstamp cases for the first two powders. What I normally do is sort by headstamp, then for load workup I'll sort the cases by length. I normally do 6 loads with different charges, with 5 rounds per load. So I'll try to at least have every round per load have the same case length, and have as many loads as possible have the same length also.

Sorting takes time, but it is a good step in the process. I resize the cases and handle them. During this process I culled another 3 cases.

The RP cases have been sorted by length:

 

[vaalpens]

My journey reloading for the 380Auto has slowed down a bit due to visiting family. Today we just went out shooting a bit, so I had to try out the Ruger LCP Max Elite, but using the Remington UMC 95gr FMJ ammo instead of my reloads. I thought it would at least establish a baseline, and let me get a feel of the LCP Max.

To be honest, I was impressed. The LCP Max ran without any hiccups, and it was not snappy at all. I did not have a timer going, but it really felt easy to shooting the follow-up shots. The grouping at 7 yards was also good for a micro gun. I saw 1.10" to 1.25" grouping, so it seems I made a good purchase with the LCP Max. At least now I know what to shoot for grouping wise for my reloads. This is one of the groups. The dot is 1.5".

 

[vaalpens]

I have decided on my first loads. It will be:
Bullet: RMR 95gr FMJ RN
COL: .970"
Primer: CCI500
Cases: RP
Powder #1: HP-38, 2.9gr, 3.0gr, 3.1gr, 3.2gr
Case length for Powder #1: .675"
Powder #2: CFE Pistol, 3.7gr, 3.8gr, 3.9gr, 4.0gr, 4.1gr, 4.2gr
Case length for Powder #2: .674", .674", .674", .674", .674", .676"

Today I started priming the cases, but ran into some issues with the Lee #4 shell holder. I prime on the press. It seems I need to hold the case in the shell holder all the way in, otherwise it could slip out a bit, and then pop out when I try to prime. This is not a good feeling when working with primers. I verified that the #4 is the correct shell holder for the press, but it doesn't seem the be a good fit like all my other shell holders. I'll probable have to send something to Lee and ask them, since priming shouldn't be that stressful.

 

[Dudedog]

I verified that the #4 is the correct shell holder for the press, but it doesn't seem the be a good fit like all my other shell holders

Hmm, my Lee shell holder seems ok, but maybe try a different brand. (turret press correct, not a progressive?)
Lyman 50 lists these shell holders for .380
Lyman #26
Hornady #16
RCBS and Redding #10

Maybe chrono some factory ammo to see what you are getting with it, as most load data uses a longer barrel than what your LCP (or my Kahr) have.
Hope one of the above works out well for you.
As a side note when my Kahr P380 was new it wouldn't function with anything less than close to MAX loads. After I had a couple 100 rounds thru it it loosened up a bit and was happy with just a little above start charges on up.

 

[vaalpens]

Hmm, my Lee shell holder seems ok, but maybe try a different brand. (turret press correct, not a progressive?)
Lyman 50 lists these shell holders for .380
Lyman #26
Hornady #16
RCBS and Redding #10

Maybe chrono some factory ammo to see what you are getting with it, as most load data uses a longer barrel than what your LCP (or my Kahr) have.
Hope one of the above works out well for you.
As a side note when my Kahr P380 was new it wouldn't function with anything less than close to MAX loads. After I had a couple 100 rounds thru it it loosened up a bit and was happy with just a little above start charges on up.

Thanks for the information.

I did contact Lee and described the problem. They replied the next day and indicated they will be sending a replacement shell holder. I'm not sure if it will be another #4, or maybe something else. I will evaluate the replacement shell holder first, and then try another make if it still not perfect.

Yes, I have a 4 hole turret.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Thanks for the information.

I did contact Lee and described the problem. They replied the next day and indicated they will be sending a replacement shell holder. I'm not sure if it will be another #4, or maybe something else. I will evaluate the replacement shell holder first, and then try another make if it still not perfect.

Yes, I have a 4 hole turret.

I think my father in-law’s Lee 4-hole turret must have been cast by old Mister Lee himself. Most of the red is gone and he’s had it to Lee for rebuilding more than once but it’s still chugging. The multifit case holder is Lee’s weak point.

 

[vaalpens]

I think my father in-law’s Lee 4-hole turret must have been cast by old Mister Lee himself. Most of the red is gone and he’s had it to Lee for rebuilding more than once but it’s still chugging. The multifit case holder is Lee’s weak point.

The classic turret is solid and should last a long time. I'll wait and see what replacement Lee is sending before finishing the priming. This is the first time I have had an issues with a Lee universal shell holder.

 

[vaalpens]

I can finally got my 380Auto reloading back on track again. I received a replacement shell holder from Lee, and after a quick test, it seems to work just fine. No popping out issues anymore.

It wasn't easy to measure the opening of the shell holder at exactly the same place, but I tried to measure it center above the primer hole. The bad one measured .3490", and the new good one .3420". Both are stamped with a #4.

 

[peeplwtchr]

I normally use Unique to load the .380... for my pistols... which are both 'full size' .380's (a Colt Government, and a PPK/s,) so the powder actually has a chance to burn. Unique is probably not the hot setup in the shorter LCP's 2.8" barrel, I would definitely pick something a little faster... W231, TiteGroup, or something along those lines, and particularly with lighter bullets.

I don't know anything about the brass... I get my .380 brass from my factory ammos, normally RP, but the last batch was Fiocchi (GFL.) I don't know if there is tricky brass out there... like stepped brass or something... so I'd be looking pretty closely at your range pickups.

Personally, my favorite way to get brass for handloading is to buy a case of factory ammo. You get, say, 500 rounds of ammo with no effort, and doesn't eat into your primer or powder stash, it allows you to shoot your pistol and get used to factory performance, and leaves you with good brass for reloading that you know the source of. Further, I always have some factory ammos with me to compare my handloads to, and to prove my chronograph setup. Factory ammo is a useful tool.

This is what I did for all my calibers when I started. I still use those cases to do Node testing for rifle, then use my better aftermarket brass for the second round of node ladders.

 

[vaalpens]

Reached another milestone today. I finally loaded the first test loads using HP-38 and CFE Pistol, using RMR 95gr FMJRN bullets. The next steps will be testing and evaluating the loads, then do the same for the Titegroup and W244 loads.

With the below HP-38 loads you will see there are 4 listed loads, even though I loaded 5 loads. The first load was a starting HP-38 load using a pre primed case, some RP cases. I basically used the first 5 loads to dial in/confirm my COL. Once I start with my actual test loads, I don't want to make any adjustment to my seating die. I'll reset the FCD if I'm loading a different length case.