lead bullets in .380

boogalou1 · August 20, 2002, 10:57 AM

I picked up a CZ83 in .380 a few months ago, and had only fired lead reloads through it. The pistol wasn't very accurate and knowing the good things I'd heard about the CZ83 I was somewhat baffled. Yesterday I shot some 92 gr FMJ from Silver Bear and my groups were much better, like what I had expected from a CZ. So what is wrong with my reloads.....

Data: National bullet - 95 gr. .355 diameter. CCI primers, and Winchester or Speer brass.

Loads - 3.0 grains Bullseye & 4.5 grains AA5

Didn't notice any real difference between both loads.

Could the diameter be to small? Try .356 instead?

Any experience with plated bullets?

Thanks in advance.

bfoster · August 20, 2002, 12:50 PM

boogalou1,

Slug your bore to determine optimum bullet size. Most cast loads for automatics work best sized about 0.001" larger than groove diameter. The 0.375" roundballs used in most 36 calibre muzzleloading revolvers work pretty well for this purpose in most 9 & 38 calibre arms.

The best load I've found for my 380, an old but very good shooting Super Star, is

Remington 1½ primer,
4.3 grains of Herco,
Lyman # 356242, sized 0.356", cast 1:20, and lubed with Saeco Green.

Case brand doesn't seem to matter to this load in my pistol. YMMV.

Bob

Johnny Guest · August 22, 2002, 10:43 AM

Bought that mould thirty-some years ago and also size it .356. I used Unique myself, and got very good results from my PPK and a couple of Colts. Sorry I don't recall the exact load of Unique--Near but not at max in an old Speer manual. Accurate, reliable practice ammo.

Best,
Johnny

August 20, 2002, 10:57 AM	#1
boogalou1 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 138	lead bullets in .380 I picked up a CZ83 in .380 a few months ago, and had only fired lead reloads through it. The pistol wasn't very accurate and knowing the good things I'd heard about the CZ83 I was somewhat baffled. Yesterday I shot some 92 gr FMJ from Silver Bear and my groups were much better, like what I had expected from a CZ. So what is wrong with my reloads..... Data: National bullet - 95 gr. .355 diameter. CCI primers, and Winchester or Speer brass. Loads - 3.0 grains Bullseye & 4.5 grains AA5 Didn't notice any real difference between both loads. Could the diameter be to small? Try .356 instead? Any experience with plated bullets? Thanks in advance.

August 22, 2002, 10:43 AM	#3
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Like bfoster, I really like the old Lyman bullet - - - Bought that mould thirty-some years ago and also size it .356. I used Unique myself, and got very good results from my PPK and a couple of Colts. Sorry I don't recall the exact load of Unique--Near but not at max in an old Speer manual. Accurate, reliable practice ammo. Best, Johnny

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August 20, 2002, 12:50 PM	#2
bfoster Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: N. of Fords Switch, OK, USA Posts: 297	boogalou1, Slug your bore to determine optimum bullet size. Most cast loads for automatics work best sized about 0.001" larger than groove diameter. The 0.375" roundballs used in most 36 calibre muzzleloading revolvers work pretty well for this purpose in most 9 & 38 calibre arms. The best load I've found for my 380, an old but very good shooting Super Star, is Remington 1½ primer, 4.3 grains of Herco, Lyman # 356242, sized 0.356", cast 1:20, and lubed with Saeco Green. Case brand doesn't seem to matter to this load in my pistol. YMMV. Bob