380ACP - is it worth reloading?

[RogueSniper]

Does anyone reload 380ACP? Or is it just not worth the trouble? I know there are a lot of factory 380ACP that are decent defense and plinking ammo, but some may not feed well.

I reload 7.65mm/32ACP, only b/c I have several guns in this caliber and each one is bit finicky about what they like to feed. Besides, the price on a box of 7.65/32ACP is pretty harsh - about the same or more as 45ACP.

This HK 380 will be probably be the only 380 I buy, unless I can find a nice Colt Govt 380 in Stainless.

[hybridatsun350]

Last I checked, .380 wasn't too crazy expensive so unless you shoot it a lot then I wouldn't bother reloading for it.

I'd pick up some of this and see it shoots in your gun: http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_380acp.html

That is obviously plinking ammo, but I'd only buy factory ammo for self-defense anyway.

[f4tweet]

I would reload it. I reload 9 X 19. I get exactly the practice round I want. I have taught an 8 1/2 year old boy to shoot with a .22, and in a couple of months he has started shooting my XD-9 Service with target loads.

[Beelzy]

Anything with a primer is worth reloading.

Some of the most reliable .380 ammo I ever shot were my handloads.

My LLama likes the Sierra 130 FMJ.

[bubbapug1]

I'd reload it, its more expensive than 9mm in the stores. The only issue would be brass, 380 is not as prevelent as 9mm, so range pickings are slim to none at times...so why not just buy a good small 9mm. I have seven 9mm's (Two berrettas, three taureses, one glock, and a Hi point) and they all shoot bascially the same. A small hi-point 9mm for $139.00 would still be better than most 380's and it could drop someone, while a 380 is debatable as a defensive cartridge. My hi point is as good as my taurus's and berrettas in accuracy, but not as comfortable to shoot...and it has never jammed in 800 rounds with one cleaning.

[RogueSniper]

True. 9mm can drop an assailant, but so can a 22LR. It's all about shot placement. I actually have nice German family of 9mm (Sigs & HKs), plus a couple of .45ACP. I'm just starting to shoot 380ACP. It's a good pocket/jacket pistol, if I really need to carry, and definitely has more oomph than my Walther PP.

I reload because it's fun and somewhat economical. It really has nothing to do with what I'll use to defend life, liberty and my pursuit of happiness. Guess it's time to get another set of dies.

FYI
I was just at the Mountain View Walmart. 380ACP is ... $19.97/box!!! And that's for the Winchester White Box (WWB). Remingtons 100ct box was $32 but they were out. 9mm Blazer Brass, $8.97/box, and they had 29 boxes (I counted) left. Two boxes of 40 S&W. Ten boxes of 45ACP.

[glockman19]

I'm getting ready to reload and I'll reload for my Bersa Thunder .380 using 9mmx19 cases cut down. Should be the same powder, primer and a lighter bullet.

I expect with the decrease in metal costs, fewer rounds necessary for the military we'll see prices come down slightly. Just look at gasoline. a few months ago oil $150 a barrel and gas nearing $5 and today $45 a barrel and $1.50-$2.00 a gallon.

[rayra]

Is .380 worth shooting, that's the question.

[RogueSniper]

HAHAHAHA! Now that's a very good question!

I'll answer that with a "maybe." New toy needs new fodder. Once I get it I'll try out a couple of brands to see how it performs.

Cutting 9mm casings sounds like a lot of work. I don't have a case trimmer, think a hacksaw with a fine blade will do it?

I do shoot 32ACP out of some nice quality Walthers and vintage HKs. With handloads, I can generate some hot loads. The steel frames of the Walthers can definitely handle it.

Now, with a 25ACP, I wouldn't touch that stuff. I think my leather jacket could stop a 25ACP without even dimpling it. Why did they even make that caliber? My ex-gf's Dad had one tucked behind the cash register at his restaurant in case of hold ups or when taking home the receipts. I just looked at him with confusion. He had an H&R 22LR revolver that could do more damage than that thing. But, that's for another discussion.

[r08ert209cali]

humm

Is .380 worth shooting, that's the question.

hot summer day t-shirt and shorts 380 or fist tough choice.Get real.380 and some hornady hollow points with handloads.I would not want to get hit by one.even speer gold dots perform well.need to check out new bullet technology.

[CSDGuy]

HAHAHAHA! Now that's a very good question!

I'll answer that with a "maybe." New toy needs new fodder. Once I get it I'll try out a couple of brands to see how it performs.

Cutting 9mm casings sounds like a lot of work. I don't have a case trimmer, think a hacksaw with a fine blade will do it?

I do shoot 32ACP out of some nice quality Walthers and vintage HKs. With handloads, I can generate some hot loads. The steel frames of the Walthers can definitely handle it.

Now, with a 25ACP, I wouldn't touch that stuff. I think my leather jacket could stop a 25ACP without even dimpling it. Why did they even make that caliber? My ex-gf's Dad had one tucked behind the cash register at his restaurant in case of hold ups or when taking home the receipts. I just looked at him with confusion. He had an H&R 22LR revolver that could do more damage than that thing. But, that's for another discussion.

Don't knock a .25 ACP... I've seen that with proper placement, it really will make someone irretrievably dead.

[RogueSniper]

You're right. Apologies to all 25ACP fans.

Afterall, I did mention that a 22LR put in the right place would do the same job as a 9mm.

[Beelzy]

Yo!

Don't cut down 9mm cases to make .380s. The cases are thicker on the 9mm
and if you do cut them down, you will have case bulging on a grand scale with
anything other than the lightest bullets.

[bohoki]

if you have the brass you might as well reload it

i load 9mm because of the abundance of range brass and i've been casting my own boolits

ive ran into a few 380s and they really make me think something went out of whack with my seater

[RogueSniper]

I just checked my books on the 380ACP and the case dimensions are different. I don't think the extractor would have grab the rim.

I'm going to stop by Big 5 with a 10% coupon to buy a box of 380ACP and start measuring it.