Loading .380

[bigbossman]

The previous thread on this got me inspired to load up some .380 for my daughter. I had bought her a nice little S&W Bodyguard to carry when she is out and about, along four boxes of practice ammo. She went through that pretty quick, and wanted more. American reloading was having a sale on bullets, so for $75/1,000 delivered I was all ready to go.

100gr RNFP bullets, mixed cases, CCI primers, and 3gr of Bullseye. Over-all length was in the mid .97x range. All rounds function tested fine, cycled the action properly, no unduly harsh recoil, no signs of pressure. Done.

[robert101]

Good for you. I have a .380 on my CCW and after my last week qualification class need to reload more. I'll be hitting the press this weekend.

[bigbossman]

The interesting thing I've noticed about bullseye, is that just about every pistol cartridge I load for is good with three grains. :-)

[robert101]

I agree. The only reason I use Unique is that it fills the case more. I like to see the powder charge in the case as it turns in the turret. Bullseye is a great powder and I've used it for over 30 years. I find it does leave a little soot on the 45 Automatic cases at light loadings.

[Abenaki]

I also reload 380. I do it on a single stage press.

I do not wish to load anything smaller!


Take care
Abenaki

[bigbossman]

I agree. The only reason I use Unique is that it fills the case more. I like to see the powder charge in the case as it turns in the turret. Bullseye is a great powder and I've used it for over 30 years. I find it does leave a little soot on the 45 Automatic cases at light loadings.

3gr of Bullseye is pretty darn near the bottom of the 100gr bullet.

[JagerDog]

Grew up with 3gr Bullseye in 38 special.

[bigbossman]

Grew up with 3gr Bullseye in 38 special.

That's my load for .38spl. That, or 3gr of 700x.

[Dutch3]

I also reload 380. I do it on a single stage press.

I do not wish to load anything smaller!


Take care
Abenaki

I have loaded .32 S&W. Lots of pinched fingers LOL.

[BajaJames83]

I am not a huge fan of loading 380 its just so dang small but I still load a few thousand a year for my bodyguard, Colt mustang and Beretta 84.

[bubbala]

love my .380's,, just hate chasing the brass.

[bigbossman]

I am not a huge fan of loading 380 its just so dang small but I still load a few thousand a year for my bodyguard, Colt mustang and Beretta 84.

I had no issues at all reloading it on my Lee 1000. It really was easy-peasy.

[Raiderh20boy]

I reload about 8-900 rounds a month. Use a Dillon XL 650 with 3.2 gn of WIN 231 with OAL of .959-61. Have always used Xtreme 100gn RNFP with no problem. Wife with SIG 238 and Bursa Firestorm and I have a 238 and 238HD.

[bigbossman]

Like someone else said, the hardest part is tracking down the casings.... The daughter's Bodyguard flings 'em all over.

[robert101]

I think the .380 is underrated. I gravitated to the .380 from being a 38 Special advocate but wanted a semi-auto with over 10 rounds. My Browning DBA with 13 fills that role nicely. I won't be selling that gem anytime in the future.