Reloading for a 380ACP

charlieb · October 24, 2009, 10:28 PM

Looking to reload rounds as close to a commercial defense round as possible. anybody have a few good recipes?

longspurr · October 25, 2009, 04:20 AM

Charlie
I don't reload for the 380 - but have a thought about your question.
Defense ammo. Can you buy the same bullet the factory uses for your defense ammo of choice?

If answer is yes, then load that bullet to the same OAL of the factory load. Use a moderate to upper power listing of any appropiate powder and Voila! you have a reasonable cost practice load that functions your gun like your defense ammo.

Foxbat · October 25, 2009, 09:17 AM

I am not sure what exactly you are trying to do, but you need to be VERY careful. I presume you are not talking about a carry load, or home defense, but something that imitates its characteristics - correct me if I am wrong.

If so, bear in mind that powerful loads require strong brass. Some of what you buy over the counter has brass that is simply not strong enough.

Your best bet would be to buy a good lot of powerful ammo and then reuse its brass, or buy a +P new brass - although I am not sure anyone sells such stuff (it is available in 9mm and other "serious" calibers"). Otherwise you are looking at potential serious problems. I already wrote about my experience where Winchester brass consistently ruptured from powerful, but still not unusual load.

hornady · October 25, 2009, 09:35 AM

Something else I would take into consideration. the pistol used. Some 380s just will not take a steady diet of +p ammo.

elkman06 · October 25, 2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Defense ammo. Can you buy the same bullet the factory uses for your defense ammo of choice

Yes, I have a box of Hornaday HP/XTP 90gr bullets waiting to try out. At least many have suggested this was a good defense bullet.
the best question/controversy considering this round is whether or not you should use a hollow point w/ this caliber. Some say it is underpowered just enough to justify using a ball or at least round nose type bullet.
Do I have statistics,,,nope. Just a few thoughts out there.

I have a Cobra arms pocket gun which by the manufacturer suggests to stay away from +p ammo. Keep that in mind also.
Yep, Magtech offers a +p ammo for it.
elkman06

charlieb · October 26, 2009, 07:06 AM

Thanks guys- looking to reload practice rounds that mirror a good defense round-

I should have made that more clear.

Sig P230 will be the 380 used-

thanks for the help.

Foxbat · October 26, 2009, 09:13 AM

"Thanks guys- looking to reload practice rounds that mirror a good defense round- "

Even if you use the same bullets you will most likely not get the same result - the ammo companies typically use unique powders not available to us.

But you can come close in feel, and I presume that is what you want.

I would not worry much about using exactly the same bullet, you can get much less expensive ones of the same weight, if you intend to shoot a lot of them.

Since you don't know the original powder burning characteristics, you can only approximate the factory ammo by matching the velocities. Make sure the load is still within the safe area of loading manual.

With the velocities matched you most likely will still have slightly different feel. If that is not good enough, you can try a different powder with different burning characteristics, that will give you the same velocity.

Just be aware - the ammo company has done very serious development work on the ammo your are trying to mimic. They probably reached the maximum velocity possible without exceeding the pressures. You simply don't have the tools that would allow you to equal, for instance, the performance of the Cor Bon ammo. So set a REALISTIC goal for yourself, otherwise you might run into some problems.

margiesex · October 26, 2009, 09:40 AM

I know that recently Midway had received some .380 Golden Saber bullets. Personally, I waited 51 weeks for the 230 Grain .45 Golden's I have now.

You might try to put in an order for them, and while waiting find a dealer that sells them loaded. They are in Natchez' catalog.

Personally, I carry a 9mm - I have a loaded box from Hornady of the 124 Grn. XTP's - and like the fellow above says, I loaded mine to their OAL, etc. Factory price I paid was $ 14.95 for 25 rounds...so you can see why I reload them!

God bless.

Margiesex

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

rg1 · October 26, 2009, 12:53 PM

Just for some info: I've reloaded .380 for 2 different pistols trying 3 different popular powders but I had the best results with Accurate Arms #2 powder. Data is available on the AA web site.

charlieb · October 27, 2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks to all.

October 24, 2009, 10:28 PM	#1
charlieb Member Join Date: March 13, 2009 Posts: 44	Reloading for a 380ACP Looking to reload rounds as close to a commercial defense round as possible. anybody have a few good recipes?

October 26, 2009, 09:40 AM	#8
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	Take a chance... I know that recently Midway had received some .380 Golden Saber bullets. Personally, I waited 51 weeks for the 230 Grain .45 Golden's I have now. You might try to put in an order for them, and while waiting find a dealer that sells them loaded. They are in Natchez' catalog. Personally, I carry a 9mm - I have a loaded box from Hornady of the 124 Grn. XTP's - and like the fellow above says, I loaded mine to their OAL, etc. Factory price I paid was $ 14.95 for 25 rounds...so you can see why I reload them! God bless. Margiesex And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

October 25, 2009, 04:20 AM	#2
longspurr Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2002 Location: On the western shore Posts: 182	Charlie I don't reload for the 380 - but have a thought about your question. Defense ammo. Can you buy the same bullet the factory uses for your defense ammo of choice? If answer is yes, then load that bullet to the same OAL of the factory load. Use a moderate to upper power listing of any appropiate powder and Voila! you have a reasonable cost practice load that functions your gun like your defense ammo.

October 25, 2009, 09:17 AM	#3
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	I am not sure what exactly you are trying to do, but you need to be VERY careful. I presume you are not talking about a carry load, or home defense, but something that imitates its characteristics - correct me if I am wrong. If so, bear in mind that powerful loads require strong brass. Some of what you buy over the counter has brass that is simply not strong enough. Your best bet would be to buy a good lot of powerful ammo and then reuse its brass, or buy a +P new brass - although I am not sure anyone sells such stuff (it is available in 9mm and other "serious" calibers"). Otherwise you are looking at potential serious problems. I already wrote about my experience where Winchester brass consistently ruptured from powerful, but still not unusual load.

October 25, 2009, 09:35 AM	#4
hornady Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: SWPA Posts: 428	Something else I would take into consideration. the pistol used. Some 380s just will not take a steady diet of +p ammo.

October 26, 2009, 07:06 AM	#6
charlieb Member Join Date: March 13, 2009 Posts: 44	Thanks guys- looking to reload practice rounds that mirror a good defense round- I should have made that more clear. Sig P230 will be the 380 used- thanks for the help.

October 26, 2009, 09:13 AM	#7
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	"Thanks guys- looking to reload practice rounds that mirror a good defense round- " Even if you use the same bullets you will most likely not get the same result - the ammo companies typically use unique powders not available to us. But you can come close in feel, and I presume that is what you want. I would not worry much about using exactly the same bullet, you can get much less expensive ones of the same weight, if you intend to shoot a lot of them. Since you don't know the original powder burning characteristics, you can only approximate the factory ammo by matching the velocities. Make sure the load is still within the safe area of loading manual. With the velocities matched you most likely will still have slightly different feel. If that is not good enough, you can try a different powder with different burning characteristics, that will give you the same velocity. Just be aware - the ammo company has done very serious development work on the ammo your are trying to mimic. They probably reached the maximum velocity possible without exceeding the pressures. You simply don't have the tools that would allow you to equal, for instance, the performance of the Cor Bon ammo. So set a REALISTIC goal for yourself, otherwise you might run into some problems.

October 26, 2009, 12:53 PM	#9
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,131	Just for some info: I've reloaded .380 for 2 different pistols trying 3 different popular powders but I had the best results with Accurate Arms #2 powder. Data is available on the AA web site.

October 27, 2009, 10:56 PM	#10
charlieb Member Join Date: March 13, 2009 Posts: 44	Thanks to all.