380 ACP

Qtiphky · December 12, 2010, 06:42 PM

Looking at the starting point that came with my die sheet, it says for an 88 grain bullet to start at 6 grains of Blue Dot. I load 10.4 for my 357 Magnum loads and this seems like an awful lot of powder to put in that itty bitty shell. I have used Unique in the past in the 4 grain range, but want to use up some old powder that I have.

Any input?

**Unclenick** · December 12, 2010, 06:54 PM

Blue Dot is rather slower than Unique. It's closer to 2400. This is why you can expect it to require more charge weight than Unique. A .380 case is so short the bullet has to move very little to double the space the powder is burning it. That rapid expansion in burning space prevents a slow powder from getting up to pressure because it can't make gas fast enough to keep up. You'll find that load not only safe, but very low pressure and that it is dirty because the powder can't burn completely.

WESHOOT2 · December 12, 2010, 07:10 PM

Current development has me suggesting the slowest choice is Power Pistol.
Can also test Bullseye, W231.

chris in va · December 13, 2010, 02:35 AM

Ah, 6 grains of ANYTHING will probably overflow the top. My Lyman manual doesn't list Blue Dot (neither does the Alliant reloaders guide site) but the absolute highest grains of any powder listed for a 90gr JHP is 4.0, and that is Power Pistol. It lists Bullseye as the most accurate, 2.0-2.9gr.

Unique is 2.5-3.4gr.

isanchez2008 · December 13, 2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Ah, 6 grains of ANYTHING will probably overflow the top.

I'm guessing you havent tried this^^^

5.4gr doesn't even come close to overflowing the 380 case. Handloads.com has a 6gr charge listed as the max on a 90gr JHP for the 380.

rdmallory · December 13, 2010, 09:46 AM

I suggest you load a few and test fire them. I have found the .380s I have owned all like different loads. Too light and you get stovepipes too hot and they hurt to shoot.

Doug

crowbeaner · December 18, 2010, 03:45 PM

OK-THIS IS TOP SECRET!!!! 95 grain JHP, CCI or WW small pistol, 5.1 of AA#5. Runs anything you stick it in, shoots great, and the guy next to you will SWEAR you're shooting a 9mm!

December 12, 2010, 06:42 PM	#1
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	380 ACP Looking at the starting point that came with my die sheet, it says for an 88 grain bullet to start at 6 grains of Blue Dot. I load 10.4 for my 357 Magnum loads and this seems like an awful lot of powder to put in that itty bitty shell. I have used Unique in the past in the 4 grain range, but want to use up some old powder that I have. Any input?

December 12, 2010, 06:54 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,739	Blue Dot is rather slower than Unique. It's closer to 2400. This is why you can expect it to require more charge weight than Unique. A .380 case is so short the bullet has to move very little to double the space the powder is burning it. That rapid expansion in burning space prevents a slow powder from getting up to pressure because it can't make gas fast enough to keep up. You'll find that load not only safe, but very low pressure and that it is dirty because the powder can't burn completely. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; December 13, 2010 at 12:16 AM.

December 12, 2010, 07:10 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Blew Dot not Current development has me suggesting the slowest choice is Power Pistol. Can also test Bullseye, W231.

December 13, 2010, 02:35 AM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Ah, 6 grains of ANYTHING will probably overflow the top. My Lyman manual doesn't list Blue Dot (neither does the Alliant reloaders guide site) but the absolute highest grains of any powder listed for a 90gr JHP is 4.0, and that is Power Pistol. It lists Bullseye as the most accurate, 2.0-2.9gr. Unique is 2.5-3.4gr.

December 13, 2010, 09:46 AM	#6
rdmallory Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 953	I suggest you load a few and test fire them. I have found the .380s I have owned all like different loads. Too light and you get stovepipes too hot and they hurt to shoot. Doug

December 18, 2010, 03:45 PM	#7
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	OK-THIS IS TOP SECRET!!!! 95 grain JHP, CCI or WW small pistol, 5.1 of AA#5. Runs anything you stick it in, shoots great, and the guy next to you will SWEAR you're shooting a 9mm!