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Posted: 4/10/2009 8:52:57 AM EDT
| I have a new .380 pocket pistol that I was going to build some reloads for. My question is, the difference in diameter between 9mm and .380 is 1/1000th (,356" vs .355"). Could I use heavier 9mm bullets in my 380 loads? Also, could I use 9mm dies to load the 380 rounds (similar to loading 38/357)? Thanks! |
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For 380 auto I use this load.
Remington 88 gr / JHP Bullseye 3.2 grains Works great in my little Walther PPK/S I never bothered to chrono this so I don't know what the velocity is. At least you can use it as a piece of info. Next time I reload this caliber, which will be a while, I'm thinking about trying to Speer Gold Dot 90 grain bullets. |
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Also, if loading for a blowback (fixed barrel), heavy bullets are not a good idea because the higher pressure and longer barrel time can cause problems. With locked-breech recoil operated pistols like the LCP/P3AT, this is less of a problem but these are tiny pistols. |
| I will keep my eye on this post because unfortunately I think I am going to have to dive into loading 380 also and I thought 9mm was close in size for components and dies also. I can't believe all the 380 brass I have passed over through the years since I wasn't loading for it and have buckets of other brass for calibers I load for and will probably never use it all up. |
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Some books do list 380 as .355 but most list 380 as .356 380 case and 9MM case are diferant sizes and as stated above 380 die and shell plate are diferant from 9MM and 380 is kind of finiky to reload for because of the blow back action of most pistols my best load for 380 is –– (used in Walthor PPK) 95gr FMJ ( Win. or Rem. ) 3.4 Win. 231 CCI # 500 coal –– .960 |
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I would not worry about that last thousandth of an inch too much, but do worry about case thickness and taper of the projectile. 115 gr and heavier leave parts of the case mouth unsupported, which will impact feeding. Most books have deleted those loads as a result.
I load a 95 gr Rainier plated or Magtech FMJ with 3.1 to 3.2 gr of Win 231 or HP-38 for my PPK. Works, is pretty accurate, and won't beat you or your brass up too much. It also feels pretty close to the felt recoil of the Federal 90 gr Hydrashok loading. Some manuals state 3.2 grains is the Win231 max for a 95 grain projectile. Incidentally, .380 is one of the calibers you save the most money reloading for, since it's a tad cheaper to reload for than 9x19mm, and the ammo usually retails for 50% or more more. Other than the belling, seating, and crimping issues caused by the super-thin case walls, the cartridge is a non-event to load for. Certain guns (Walther PP-series comes to mind) have fairly weak primer impacts, so you're well served going with a soft small pistol primer. Wolf primers are too hard for my PPK to light 100%, but oddly, CCI's work fine. |
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