Posted: 1/15/2010 7:22:50 PM EDT
| Anyone loading 115 grain bullets for your 380 Autos |
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Not 115 grain but this is probably the next best thing.
Buffalo Bore 100 grain hardcast |
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I actually load a 120gr in my 380acp loads.
Used in Steel guns only like Colt government, Makarov, Walther PPK \ PPK/S - and my fav - Military Armament Corp. Model M11 I use Magma Engineerings 09-122 FP BB molds. No I won't post load data as it is very specific and I re-chrono the loads with each new lot of powder just to be sure.  Be Safe!
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Unless you're willing to do the kind of in depth load development that ProfGAB101 has done, you really can't load 115gr in 380. Not enough powder capacity to get reasonable velocity if seated deep enough for feeding, and if seated long, won't feed in most 380s.
If you're going to use 380 for self defense, use 95gr FMJ. |
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.380acp vrs 9x19 (aka 9mm para, Luger ect.)
Virtually all 9x19 guns use a locked breach or some form of delayed blow back action. This allows use of slower burning powders which won't pressure spike on the same curve that many faster powders would with the same case volume and bullet weight combos. Most 380acp (aka 9mm Kruz, 9x17 ect.) use a straight blowback action. 380 brass has much thinner case head construction. Using heavy bullets with slower powders changes the timing dynamics of the firearm action such that the slide will have all ready begun to move 1-1.5 mm (.04"-.06") before the pressure has dropped and now a thinner part of the case head/side is now unsupported by the chamber. This is even more an issue in the area around the feed ramp. All retail boxed ammo must be made to function safely in any modern firearm specifically made to fire that cartridge. The ammo mfg. will not know if your firearm has a weakly supported chamber or a robust one. Reloaders can match optimal loads to each firearm. One old dirty trick was to cut down 223 rem brass and trim to 380 OAL specs, then ream the inside only deep enough to accept the seated bullet. Many firearms in 380 have loose enough chambers that reaming might not be required. The case head and wall of rifle brass is significantly heavier... a much stronger case, but it brings other problems. This extra brass is taking up case volume. So again you need to do some careful load testing before running off a whole lot. Do your testing at 1/10 grain steps and start about 2/10ths below the minimun starting load when using converted rifle brass. Be SAFE, don't upgrade your handgun to a hand grenade. |
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