Question on .380 reloading

UtahHunting · January 31, 2010, 10:07 PM

I am just getting into reloading. I have started to buy the equipment and read the books on it. I am going to start with reloading for my .308, .243, and .380ACP. I have not been able to find any .380 bullets. Can I use the small 9mm bullets or should I wait until I can find some .380. They both seem to be the same diameter.

fatherofsmith · January 31, 2010, 11:02 PM

the .380 is not much more than a 9mm short. I have used 9mm bullets, just have to watch the weights of them, .380's can't handle the heavy bullets. Check your loading manual for weights for given recipes.
Be carefull, the cases are fragile compared to some

Randy 1911 · February 1, 2010, 12:52 AM

I have seen load data for a 115 gr. bullet. It is available.

Scorch · February 1, 2010, 03:16 AM

.380 ACP = 9X17mm, aka, 9mm Kurz (9mm Short).

You will likely never find any bullets labeled as .380 ACP bullets. Use the lighter weight 9mm bullets to reload.

fhwiggins · February 1, 2010, 09:02 AM

I just purchased some from Cabela's in the lighter weights. I have also loaded the 115gr. 9mm which my manuel showed information for. It worked fine in my gun just fine. BrowningBDA they did slightly buldge the case, but the maximum diameter did not exceed the manual and it chambered freely. I am talking about chambering by dropping the bullet in barrel by hand with the barrel out of the gun. If ALL of those checks are ok then you should be fine.

jepp2 · February 1, 2010, 09:36 AM

Montana Gold has 380 bullets in stock:

https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montana.../pricelist.tpl

Sevens · February 1, 2010, 10:33 AM

You may build some quality loads in .380 with 115-gr (9mm weight) bullets, but you'll be in rare territory with regards to experienced load data because most people simply don't shoot heavy bullets in .380.

I've got a solution that may work for you-- I've been loading .380 with Berry's 100gr plated round nose bullets for use in a Bersa Thunder .380. In January, I've rolled 600 of these, and that's all single stage. And this isn't something I'm just now trying... I've been using this load now for a year and thousands of rounds. They work!

I'm not the world's biggest fan of plated bullets... I think they are more expensive than they need to be and they don't like being pushed at magnum speeds. But for use on an indoor range, from a .380 where distance is relatively short already, I think they not only work very well, but they are quite affordable, too.

https://www.berrysmfg.com/product.as...&pp=8&sb=0&p=0
Spend more than $50 and they ship for free. My last order from them was a couple weeks ago and I had it to my door in a WEEK. I use the flat base bullets and not the hollow base ones. I load them with Alliant Power Pistol, my favorite powder.

DaveTrig · February 1, 2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

I've been loading .380 with Berry's 100gr plated round nose bullets...

Ditto.

zxcvbob · February 1, 2010, 01:10 PM

Have you looked for 95 to 100 grain cast bullets? That's what I use for loading .380's.

spacecoast · February 1, 2010, 01:12 PM

I've used both 100 gr. Berry's and also 95 gr. lead with success. 115 gr. is really too heavy for the .380, stick with the lighter 80-100 gr. weights. The .380 is already a tight case and seating a heavy bullet too deep is asking for problems.

colospgsAVID · February 1, 2010, 02:23 PM

How 'bout 90 grain Hornady XTP's?

UtahHunting · February 1, 2010, 02:36 PM

Jepp, thanks for the link, I am ordering some of those right now. Everyone else thanks for all the info. Like I said I am just getting into reloading now and appreciate the help from this forum.

JJE · February 1, 2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

How 'bout 90 grain Hornady XTP's?

Yes - those are intended to be loaded in .380 ACP.

I would also discourage bullets over 100 gr just because 90-95 is what the guns are designed to shoot. I would only use 100 gr in plated, which I think will have less friction than a jacketed bullet because the light plating makes it more like hard cast than jacketed.

CowTowner · February 2, 2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

I would also discourage bullets over 100 gr just because 90-95 is what the guns are designed to shoot.

I load 102 grain Remington Golden Sabers. They run just fine from both my Bersa Thunder380 and my Keltec P3AT.

Ken - Oh · February 2, 2010, 08:47 AM

.380 is typically loaded with 90-95 gr 9mm bullets. It IS a 9mm cartridge.

The problem with using heavier bullets (e.g. 115 - 125 gr) is that they sit deeper in the cartridge and can cause high pressure since the cartridge is already on the short side (17mm vs 19mm) and not designed for high pressure. With proper powder charges, you can load 115 gr bullets but the charges will be significantly less than they would be with 90 gr bullets.

Ken

MR 8x57js · February 14, 2010, 05:32 PM

UtahHunting
There is a difference between the .380 & the 9MM
1. The .380 works as a blow back system lower pressures.
2. The .380's has less case volume then the 9MM
3 The .380 is a straght side case where the 9MM is a tappered case.
4 The .380 was disigned around a 95 Gr FMJ, so if stay with a 90 or 95 grain bullet you will be fine. The 115 Grain FMJ/JHP is TO LONG for the short .380 case infact Speer has stopped useing data for the 115 Grain bullets in there Manuals. Some reloaders like to use the 100 gr bullet to load the .380, yes it can be done but againg it wasnt desgined with that bullet weight. I have found with my Walther PPK/s performs better when i load up 90 Grain JHP or 95 Grain FMJ

bignz · February 14, 2010, 07:31 PM

Montana Gold sells me my 380s. THey work great.

https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montana.../pricelist.tpl

RidgwayCO · February 14, 2010, 07:38 PM

I load 95gr LRN bullets at 800 fps (135 ft-lbs) for plinking, 100gr Hornady FMJ-Encapsulated for factory-duplication loads at 925 fps (190 ft-lbs), and Speer 90gr GDHP (also 90gr Hornady 90gr HP/XTP) at 1050 fps (220 ft-lbs) for social work practice loads. No problems, everything functions 100% in my Bersa 95 and Beretta 84, and they're all a LOT cheaper than factory loads (if you can find any factory loads).

The single best powder I've found for the .380 Auto is Accurate Arms #2. It meters like water, burns exceptionally clean, and provides very small extreme spread and standard deviation numbers. Speer #14 shows it as the best performing powder with the 90gr GDHP. JMHO...

MATTUSMC · February 15, 2010, 01:32 AM

Utah, do you have prefer lead or jacketed?

If you don't mind shooting lead cast, try Dardas Cast Bullets, I shoot them out of my 38, 45 ACP and 45 Colt and plan on adding the .380 to that list in the future when I save up enough brass. They have excellent customer service and great bullet quality.

gregjc9 · February 15, 2010, 08:34 AM

I just got 1K of 100gr plated 380 bullets from Berry's in, and they shoot just fine.

boston · February 16, 2010, 12:13 AM

I've been using Montana Gold 95gr .380 bullets with 2.9 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye with excellent results.

February 1, 2010, 12:52 AM	#3
Randy 1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2009 Location: Western Arkansas Posts: 273	I have seen load data for a 115 gr. bullet. It is available. __________________ Been Reloading 27 Years NRA Member Member Old Fort Gun Club www.ofgc.org

February 1, 2010, 03:16 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	.380 ACP = 9X17mm, aka, 9mm Kurz (9mm Short). You will likely never find any bullets labeled as .380 ACP bullets. Use the lighter weight 9mm bullets to reload. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 1, 2010, 10:33 AM	#7
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	You may build some quality loads in .380 with 115-gr (9mm weight) bullets, but you'll be in rare territory with regards to experienced load data because most people simply don't shoot heavy bullets in .380. I've got a solution that may work for you-- I've been loading .380 with Berry's 100gr plated round nose bullets for use in a Bersa Thunder .380. In January, I've rolled 600 of these, and that's all single stage. And this isn't something I'm just now trying... I've been using this load now for a year and thousands of rounds. They work! I'm not the world's biggest fan of plated bullets... I think they are more expensive than they need to be and they don't like being pushed at magnum speeds. But for use on an indoor range, from a .380 where distance is relatively short already, I think they not only work very well, but they are quite affordable, too. https://www.berrysmfg.com/product.as...&pp=8&sb=0&p=0 Spend more than $50 and they ship for free. My last order from them was a couple weeks ago and I had it to my door in a WEEK. I use the flat base bullets and not the hollow base ones. I load them with Alliant Power Pistol, my favorite powder. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 1, 2010, 01:10 PM	#9
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Have you looked for 95 to 100 grain cast bullets? That's what I use for loading .380's. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

February 2, 2010, 08:47 AM	#15
Ken - Oh Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2006 Posts: 280	.380 is typically loaded with 90-95 gr 9mm bullets. It IS a 9mm cartridge. The problem with using heavier bullets (e.g. 115 - 125 gr) is that they sit deeper in the cartridge and can cause high pressure since the cartridge is already on the short side (17mm vs 19mm) and not designed for high pressure. With proper powder charges, you can load 115 gr bullets but the charges will be significantly less than they would be with 90 gr bullets. Ken __________________ "The more law-abiding people that have guns, the better off we are," Hamilton County [Cincinnati] Prosecutor Joe Deters said. "Because the bad guys always have guns, You look at these school shootings or church shootings, the ones that have been stopped, it was because someone there had a gun."

January 31, 2010, 10:07 PM	#1
UtahHunting Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 428	Question on .380 reloading I am just getting into reloading. I have started to buy the equipment and read the books on it. I am going to start with reloading for my .308, .243, and .380ACP. I have not been able to find any .380 bullets. Can I use the small 9mm bullets or should I wait until I can find some .380. They both seem to be the same diameter.

January 31, 2010, 11:02 PM	#2
fatherofsmith Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 4	the .380 is not much more than a 9mm short. I have used 9mm bullets, just have to watch the weights of them, .380's can't handle the heavy bullets. Check your loading manual for weights for given recipes. Be carefull, the cases are fragile compared to some

February 1, 2010, 09:02 AM	#5
fhwiggins Member Join Date: July 14, 2009 Posts: 36	I just purchased some from Cabela's in the lighter weights. I have also loaded the 115gr. 9mm which my manuel showed information for. It worked fine in my gun just fine. BrowningBDA they did slightly buldge the case, but the maximum diameter did not exceed the manual and it chambered freely. I am talking about chambering by dropping the bullet in barrel by hand with the barrel out of the gun. If ALL of those checks are ok then you should be fine.

February 1, 2010, 09:36 AM	#6
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Montana Gold has 380 bullets in stock: https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montana.../pricelist.tpl

February 1, 2010, 01:12 PM	#10
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	I've used both 100 gr. Berry's and also 95 gr. lead with success. 115 gr. is really too heavy for the .380, stick with the lighter 80-100 gr. weights. The .380 is already a tight case and seating a heavy bullet too deep is asking for problems.

February 1, 2010, 02:23 PM	#11
colospgsAVID Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 188	How 'bout 90 grain Hornady XTP's?

February 1, 2010, 02:36 PM	#12
UtahHunting Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 428	Jepp, thanks for the link, I am ordering some of those right now. Everyone else thanks for all the info. Like I said I am just getting into reloading now and appreciate the help from this forum.

February 14, 2010, 05:32 PM	#16
MR 8x57js Member Join Date: February 7, 2010 Posts: 36	UtahHunting There is a difference between the .380 & the 9MM 1. The .380 works as a blow back system lower pressures. 2. The .380's has less case volume then the 9MM 3 The .380 is a straght side case where the 9MM is a tappered case. 4 The .380 was disigned around a 95 Gr FMJ, so if stay with a 90 or 95 grain bullet you will be fine. The 115 Grain FMJ/JHP is TO LONG for the short .380 case infact Speer has stopped useing data for the 115 Grain bullets in there Manuals. Some reloaders like to use the 100 gr bullet to load the .380, yes it can be done but againg it wasnt desgined with that bullet weight. I have found with my Walther PPK/s performs better when i load up 90 Grain JHP or 95 Grain FMJ

February 14, 2010, 07:31 PM	#17
bignz Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Location: North Texas Posts: 196	Montana Gold sells me my 380s. THey work great. https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montana.../pricelist.tpl

February 14, 2010, 07:38 PM	#18
RidgwayCO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 244	I load 95gr LRN bullets at 800 fps (135 ft-lbs) for plinking, 100gr Hornady FMJ-Encapsulated for factory-duplication loads at 925 fps (190 ft-lbs), and Speer 90gr GDHP (also 90gr Hornady 90gr HP/XTP) at 1050 fps (220 ft-lbs) for social work practice loads. No problems, everything functions 100% in my Bersa 95 and Beretta 84, and they're all a LOT cheaper than factory loads (if you can find any factory loads). The single best powder I've found for the .380 Auto is Accurate Arms #2. It meters like water, burns exceptionally clean, and provides very small extreme spread and standard deviation numbers. Speer #14 shows it as the best performing powder with the 90gr GDHP. JMHO... __________________ "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Nope, not a single word about hunting...

February 15, 2010, 01:32 AM	#19
MATTUSMC Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 20	Utah, do you have prefer lead or jacketed? If you don't mind shooting lead cast, try Dardas Cast Bullets, I shoot them out of my 38, 45 ACP and 45 Colt and plan on adding the .380 to that list in the future when I save up enough brass. They have excellent customer service and great bullet quality.

February 15, 2010, 08:34 AM	#20
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	I just got 1K of 100gr plated 380 bullets from Berry's in, and they shoot just fine. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

February 16, 2010, 12:13 AM	#21
boston Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Southeast Ohio Posts: 29	I've been using Montana Gold 95gr .380 bullets with 2.9 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye with excellent results.