[unclepaddy]

My brother wants to reload for his .380 ACP and has some 115 grain jacketed bullets. I looked at the Loadswap data and there is some purportedly IMR data in there that is about 50% higher than the 100 grain loads listed on the Hodgdon site. I have no eperience with this cartridge, and that looks a bit dubious to me. Any comments from those who have loaded this round?

For instance: 100 grain bullet is listed with a charge of 4.0 grains 800-X, but the 115 grain data on Loadswap is at 5.9 grains.

 

[wyoman]

The only thing I have loaded in .380 was 95 grain cast bullets over 2.2 grains of 700X.

 

[kdub]

Those loads posted in Loadswap have been initiated by board members, not the board owner. I'd take ANY load posted on the internet with a grain of salt. Those published in manuals have been tested and considered safe for modern firearms.

 

[metrotps]

First of all the 115 grain bullets were designed to be use in 9MM Luger loadings. The .380 ACP or 9MM Browning Short as it is sometimes called, was intended for standard load of a 95 grain to 100 grain bullet. I have loaded and shot well over 30,000 rounds of it over the years, as I used to collect .380 caliber pistols and even had a MAC 11 in .380ACP. Depending on the pistol, with the load you listed in your post, most likely you will damage it. Take Kdub's advice and stick with the published data in the RCBS or other manuals like it. Stay Safe!!!

Sierra Second Edition lists 115 grain JHP as follows for a Walther PPK

Bullseye 1.6 to 2.1 Grains Max
WW231 2.0 to 2.3 Grains Max
700-X 1.8 to 2.6 Grains Max
Unique 2.7 to 3.5 Grains Max
SR 7625 2.6 to 3.7 Grains Max

 

[MR 8x57js]

Paddy
The 115 Gr bullet is to long and would set to deep in the .380 case if not, there may be feeing problums. It was desingned for the 95 Gr FMJ. The 90 Gr JHP works good also.

 

[2Bits]

I would NOT get into putting 115 grain bullets into a 9mm auto case! They are best to stay in the 90 grain bullet weight. I personally am not a fan of the 9mm auto caliber!!!~ It lacks the penetration even with so called self - defense loads. I suppose it would be better than your toothbrush but not really a self - defense caliber in my eyes.

The 90 grain bullet used in Cor - Bon "self defense" loads puts out 195-lbs of kinetic energy and will penetrate wet newspaper around 3 inches or less. I ran the tests last summer at our gunclub. Now the 9mm Luger caliber using a 115 grain bullet in the same type Cor Bon "self defense" ammo, develops 483-lbs of kinetic energy and penetrates 6 inches into that wet newspaper. So you can see the 9mm Luger is over twice that of the 9mm auto in power!!!

The .40 caliber Smith & Wesson with 165 grain bullet develops 535-lbs of kinetic energy for comparison sake ok.

 

[NonPCnraRN]

Buffalo Bore makes a 100 gr cast flat point round that is +P rated. It is a good penetrator according to Buffalo Bore.

 

[miestro_jerry]

What kind of 380 or 9mmK pistol is this? I normally use 90 grain cast bullets in my .380s, which mine range from a Grendel to a Walther, with some others in between. I used to own a MAC11, but the cases were bulged after firing them, but it was a Rock and Roller, so I figured I would loose a lot of brass.

I look at the 380 as the hidden last line of defense pistol, not as good as a 38 Spl +P but will do the job at close range like 5 feet.

Here are two Lyman loads from the 49th Edition of their Handbook

90 grain HC bullet Bullseye powder start load 2.0 grains MAX load 2.9 grains
115 grain HP bullet, Bullseye Powder Start load 2.0 grains MAX load 2.9 grains

Herer are the loads for Cast Bullets
90 grain RN bullets, Bullseye powder Start load 2.4 grains MAX load 3.0 grains
120 Garin RN bullet, Bullseye Powder Start Load 1.6 grains MAX load 2.1 grains

Mostly I prefer WW 231 powder for my 380 loads with a 90 grain cast RN
Start load is 2.1 grains MAX load is 3.2 grains I use 2.6 grains of powder for my reloads.

I don't have any data of 800X powder that I trust. What have been able to find says that the load should be 4.1 grains for the 90 grain bullet and 4.0 grains for a 100 grain bullet.

Unless you have some European police pistol from times past, I don't think you can get a bullet larger than the 100 grain ones to operate in most 380 pistols.

Hope this helps,

Jerry

 

[cruiser1]

I like the 102 grain remmington golden sabers 2.6 grains of bullseye feeds
well in my beretta 84 and my browning bda