question about .380 loads...

[mzimmers]

...hi, guys. Someone just asked a question of me that I don't have enough expertise for. Can anyone help to either confirm his concerns, or put his mind at ease?

http://www.scopedin.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=17

Feel free to either post the reply here, or on ScopedIn.

Thanks...

[pdq_wizzard]

I don't reload 380 but I would say that is on the very high side for a 95gr lead bullet, looking at what Alliant says for there 380 load with Bullseye

Bullseye 3.4 @ 981fps (and they recomend working up to this load)

if it were me I would have started at 3.2 and work up to something I like to shot (10 rounds at a time)

most load data that I have shows max vel for 95gr FMJ bullets @ 953fps so I would keep lead at or under 800fps

just my .02

[longhairchris]

I would agree, sounds too hot for .380. Would be ok for 9mm Luger though. The guy said he loaded 1000 rounds?!? Without testing some first? Tell the guy to buy a reloading manual and read it if he hasn't done so already.

My pet load in .380 is a 102gr cast boolit over 2.5 gr titegroup.

[gotsig]

I load 95gr LRN over 3.0gr of 231 @.980oal. Lyman's data for 90gr(#2 alloy) is 2.4-3.0gr of bullseye @.980oal. My Speer manual doesn't list a lead load. If it was me, I'd pull em and work up from 2.6gr @ .980oal

[pdq_wizzard]

After looking at some more data I agree with starting around 2.6 looks like 3.2 would still be close to 900fps


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[mzimmers]

Thanks for the input, guys. The man asking the question did say that his bullets are Brinell 18 hardness, so they can probably take a fair load. The bigger question to me is, whether the gun can handle it.

Hopefully, he'll read my response to him and re-do those loads.

[noylj]

As I posted at ScopedIn, the COL alone tells you that it must be a 9x19 load.
The manuals minimum COL for .380 Auto is generally 0.975-0.980 and NOT 1-inch or more.
Also, the 9x19 load for 95gn L-RN is:
9x19
Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Start/Max
Cast Lead 95 Bullseye 4.0 1125 Start
Cast Lead 95 Bullseye 5.0 1290 Max