Thinking about 115 Nukes in 380 Auto?

mdi

mdi

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I have some 115 gr. Nukes that I would like to try in my 380 Auto pistol. I have load data and will prolly load a few, but wondering is anyone else tried them? Think I can reach expansion threshold with the Nukes, about 900 fps?
 
mdi said:
I have some 115 gr. Nukes that I would like to try in my 380 Auto pistol. I have load data and will prolly load a few, but wondering is anyone else tried them? Think I can reach expansion threshold with the Nukes, about 900 fps?
Click to expand...
Let us know if you try it. I'm curious about it as well. I'm betting the 115 will expand.
 
Today I was still in the "thinkin' 'bout" phase. This weekend I'll dig out brass and size/prime some and do a little more researching load data (IIRC my new Hornady manual has data for XTPs). If it rains I might be able to set up my chrony and run a couple rounds in my shop (don't want my neighbors to freak out!)...
 
Back in the 1980’s, I played with 38 caliber 110 JHP in my Beretta M84.

They functioned well, the M84 shoots about anything. But, I could not get the velocity up enough for any expansion.

I’m not familiar with Nukes bullets but with my limited, and less than scientific testing, I suspect performance falls off with heavier bullets in the 380 ACP.

As an aside, I did have good luck with Lee’s 105 grain SWC. No expansion but a bit higher velocity and the sharp edge of the SWC shoulder helps.

But, prove me wrong on the Nukes.
 
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But the main question is , what do you plan on doing with them? I am sure they are great projectiles. Raises the old debate of using handloads for SD. No I am not starting that again.Just saying. Why use premium expensive bullets for shooting at the range.?
 
Since my main hobby/pass time is reloading, I try a lot of different components/loads. I will probably never need a SD or HD load, but it's fun developing one. Been retired with a decent income and it doesn't hurt to buy premium bullets, but I don't go crazy (I have about 700 RMR 9mm bullets, old style and Nukes and at least one 25 lb. box or misc. 9mm bullets I've picked up here and there besides what I cast). And who knows? I may run into a rabid 'possum or an anti-social bear on a woods walk and need a good "protection" load. I have way more shootin' and reloading stuff than I can use in 10 years but I've got the "new cartridge" itch again. Waiting to see where the 30 Super Carry goes, but there's also the 357 Sig and 38 Super Auto...

I mentioned 9mm because it and 45 ACP are my main Just Incase calibers and I have several guns for the two, and I've been playing with my 380 Auto lately...
 
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Heaviest I've ever loaded in the .380 was the 102grn Remington Golden Saber... which did quite well, but my brother's blowback PPK/s really let you know you were launching something.

I'll be curious to see how 115's turn out.
 
The 1970s vintage Lyman cast bullet loading manual I have has loads for 125gr cast bullets so I tried it in my LCP. There is no way I can stretch the meaning of the word "fun" and make it fit shooting those loads. It was a neat project, but I won't be doing that again
 
Larry in wyoming said:
There is no way I can stretch the meaning of the word "fun" and make it fit shooting those loads.
Click to expand...

I shot those 102grn Sabers in a locked breech Colt .380 'full-size' pistol (not the Mustang or Lite...) I don't really know if I would want to try to push a 115grn to 900fps even out of the Colt, let alone a compact and/or blowback .380...
 
Using generic numbers in QuickLoad... you are going to be hard pressed to get 900fps from a 3" barrel.

A max load of 2.5grn TiteGroup barely gets you to 800fps, and 3.3grn Unique gives you 850fps. At that bullet weight, those charge weights are really tricky... .1grn pushes it from 'reasonable' to 'ooops.' Just a thumbnail sketch.

If you are interested in other QL numbers, PM me and I'll feed them into the sausage grinder...
 
One main reason for this experiment is RMR's 115 Nuke. I understand I won't get 1,000 fps but will chrony some and just need to get to the range. Normally I don't care for "heavy bullet for caliber" loads just want to see how the Nuke will work (I reloaded 20 with W231 yesterday). Life sometimes gets in the way of my reloading...
 
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mdi said:
Life sometimes gets in the way of my reloading...
Click to expand...

+1, 2, and 3 for me as well!!! The older I get, it seems like the less time I have for some of my favorites. Except for time with my "Grand Children" God Bless em!!!
 
mdi said:
I have some 115 gr. Nukes that I would like to try in my 380 Auto pistol. I have load data and will prolly load a few, but wondering is anyone else tried them? Think I can reach expansion threshold with the Nukes, about 900 fps?
Click to expand...

Any updates on this experiment?
 
I think I tried 115gr in .380 years ago. Maybe it was 124gr. I always ended up with a big bulge in the case from the bottom of the bullet. I finally gave up on the project.
 
Unfortunately, my experiment has been put on the shelf due to "life". Various life problems (health issues for my wife and myself, weather, home maintenance; emergency plumbing problems in a "handy man" town meaning a lack of good professionals, transportation, etc./et al). We're getting better, home is OK, and daughter wants me to go shooting with her (she just got a new Walther P22 and a Mossberg 12 ga and wants to try a couple of my 9mm pocket guns for CC). I'll get to the "range" soon...
 
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