Thread: Reloading the .380 Automatic (9mm KURZ)

Been reloading for 4 decades, never have done my new project. I have somewhere around 2000 .380 cases. Found anything you really liked? Primary purpose for these will be plinking/practice. Bullets? Powders? Etc?

I've mostly stuck with the Xtreme 100gr FMJ's can't remember the exact grain weight of powder, but I used both titegroup and HP38 to good effect. Titegroup had more muzzle flash, HP38 tended to be dirtier.

WARNING USE LOAD DATA AT OWN RISK-OVER MAX RECOMMENDED LOAD

I was using 3.6g titegroup under a 90 Hornady XTP .0965 OAL with great accuracy out of a Bersa.

Two Titegroup fans, hmmm. I will have to check it out

I like the Hornaday XTP's with Bullseye. Worked up to 3.5gr on a 90gr bullet, but dropped back down to 3.2gr to try and take some of the kick out for my wife's Bersa. Still stayed pretty accurate, at least she was happy.

havent loaded for a while but 3.5 and 3.2 gr? is that actually enough powder to get the projectile out of the barrel? last i loaded was 75.5gr .338wm under a hornady 200gr interlock

just kidding i know it is enough powder!

Originally Posted by sheepdip

havent loaded for a while but 3.5 and 3.2 gr? is that actually enough powder to get the projectile out of the barrel? last i loaded was 75.5gr .338wm under a hornady 200gr interlock

just kidding i know it is enough powder!

It's more than enough. But that small amount is a problem in itself. Leaves too much room for an accidental double charge. I prefer a more "case filling" load for everything I load.

Originally Posted by sheepdip

havent loaded for a while but 3.5 and 3.2 gr? is that actually enough powder to get the projectile out of the barrel? last i loaded was 75.5gr .338wm under a hornady 200gr interlock

just kidding i know it is enough powder!

That's a honkin load of powder. I need to get into some rifle loads.

Originally Posted by mookmanjdj

That's a honkin load of powder. I need to get into some rifle loads.

Try loads of near 250 gr of powder in a 50 BMG. THAT's a "honkin load of powder". Of course the bullet only weighs about 7 times that of a .380

Just think, can't even get 30 loaded rounds out of a 1# bottle of powder when loading for these beasts.

Don't have a .380 anymore, but I was mainly loading 95gr LRN from missouri bullet company and using bullseye powder.

I load 2.8 Clays in .38 special mild good accuracy.

clays would probably not perform very well in .380, it's too bulky and too fast. It would probably not be able to get enough powder in the case without the pressure building too fast.