whats Your favorite powder to load .380 acp and why?

[Mitch383]

I'm new to handloading and have been using Hodgden long shot as it is quite universal. However, it doesn't seem to be used for .380 acp. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jwrowland77]

Titegroup. More bang for my buck. A little goes a long way with Titegroup.

However, you being new, try and go with something like Universal. It'll fill the case more than Titegroup does. It's real easy to double or triple charge with Titegroup in a .380acp case.

I also use Unique and Autocomp in .380 when I first started reloading.

 

[rg1]

Accurate Arms #2 works best for me with 88-95 grain bullets. It gives top velocity and very little velocity variations. I use Accurate Arms data available on-line. I've tried a few other powders up to Unique in burn rate and the slower powders had big variations in velocity. AA#2 is the perfect powder in my experience in .380. I've read it's presently hard to find?

 

[loose noose]

Red Dot is probably the most universal powder you will find anywhere, as it is great for shotguns, all the way down to the smallest handgun cartridges.

 

[Zendude]

I use Bullseye because it throws well with small loads in the Lee auto disk.

 

[Rule3]

HP 38 /Win 231 Why? cause the book says it is.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

+1 for Zendude

 

[larryh1108]

I also use Bullseye for the reasons mentioned above. If it ain't broke, I don't fix it. It does the job well.

 

[beag_nut]

Titegroup or Bullseye, if you can get them. They are almost interchangeable (with minor adjustments) because they are very fast burning powders. I doubt there are many handguns chambered in .380 which have more than a 4" barrel. They also take up very little room in the cartridge. Downside?: finding them, since they are so popular.

 

[JamieC]

I just started reloading for 380, fortunately I have a bunch of Power Pistol, working real well so far. I have some Bullseye I'm going to try next, no rush, the PP is working well.

 

[j357]

Universal! Generally good for 90-100 gn bullets in 380 based on my use, limited as it may be. It meters well in charges for the 380 and is clean burning.

 

[Scarpia]

whats Your favorite powder to load .380 acp and why?

IMR PB because it cycles all five of my 380's. I also use IMR SR4756 and SR7625 which cycle most of my 380's with a mild recoil as compared to PB. These particular powders are no longer being marketed by Hodgon's so their use is academic if you can't locate any. Knowing my supply of this stuff is the last I will ever see, I'll be experimenting with more available powders. I have a supply of Hi-Skor 800-X, Reddot, Greendot and HP38 so eventually one of these will be my go-to powder.

I use 100 grain bullets for the range but for carrying, I use Hornady 90 grain XTP's, My 380 guns are: Sig P238, Taurus PT58, Tristar C100, Bersa 85 and Browning BDA380. My carry 380 is the P238 and occasionally, the Bersa 85, otherwise, my carry piece is one of several 9mm's, 40 S&W's or a 45 ACP.

 

[TfflHndn]

Red Dot, Tite Group and Bullseye have worked well for me in .380. Red Dot's my favorite.

 

[cfullgraf]

For 380 ACP, I use 95-100 grain RN bullets (cast, plated, or jacketed). I have loads developed for several powders so that i can use what I have on hand.

 

[Pelo801]

I use W231 and/or Red Dot with 102 gr lead bullets.

 

[ljnowell]

As posted above AA#2 is a good choice but I use AA#5 for 380 auto. There is absolutely no better metering powder than AA pistol powders.

 

[Artofgolf]

If you can find it, True Blue from Western Powders worked well for me in a G42. Meters very well, also

 

[Mitch383]

thanks

Thank You all! I appreciate the advice! I will check my outdoor warehouse for available powders! I think they have Bullseye and other mentioned powders.