380 and old bullseye

[asquared19]

OK. This is another "old bullseye" question. I have a 2 pound paper can of the Bullseye, and just recently ordered up some 380 bullets. One of my manuals does have load data for Bullseye, but I think it's for the newer formulations. As an example, IIRC the data for the 45 acp references 5.6 grains of BE, but the recommendations I've gotten are 4.0-4.2 grains. I think my loadbook called for 2.6 gr for the 380, so I'm curious as to what others have done for both round nose copper plated and hollowpoint.

Lastly, anyone have a surplus of 380 brass they are looking to unload? I may just have to hit the range and unload some factory to make room for reloading.

 

[358WCF]

Not to be a smartass, but maybe try loading 5 or 10 pieces at the start load for your chosen bullet weight first & carefully work upward by a 1/10 gr. at a time while watching for best function? There's only a 3/10 to 1/2 gr span from min to max with each bullet weight using Bullseye in Sierra #VI. Probably not the optimal powder & not a whole lot of room for error in little cases. For perspective, half a gr. is 1/14,000 of a pound.

Sierra Manual #2 (from the paper can era) vs. Sierra #VI (the most recent) there's very small difference in start loads. Max loads have a slightly larger discrepancy. The #2 book uses RP brass with CCI primers while #VI uses Starline brass with WSP. Start loads are within a 1 or 2 tenths of a gr. between both books. Apparently Bullseye is still Bullseye other than lot to lot differences?

I'm still using a cardboard can of Hercules made Bullseye myself & have not had a problem with newer data. I'd be more concerned about differing internal brass capacity or even seating bullets much deeper than manufacturer's recommended spec than using "old or new" Bullseye with appropriate starting charges.

 

[AckleymanII]

2.9g is my target load with 95g what evers.

Sig and Ruger

Self defense:

Power pistol and 95g Speer gold dots

If you are going +P loads in your 380, consider a stronger recoil spring.

Buffalo Bore Factory loads are HOT, for sure run a heavier spring with them, especially with the Ruger.

 

[asquared19]

Thank you both for your input, and 358, no offense taken at all. I absolutely plan on prepping some starter rounds on the low side, but I just wanted to see if there was any good historical info as I found the start loads for 45acp with the older Bullseye were definitely lower then what my books say. Both my 2nd edition Lee book, and my 4th edition Hornady trended higher. Probably just overthinking it, yet being a new loader, I tend to do that.

 

[Clark]

380 4.6 gr Bullseye 115 gr JHP .97in bulge at .230 in case support.

 

[358WCF]

View attachment 1303740
380 4.6 gr Bullseye 115 gr JHP .97in bulge at .230 in case support.

But the primer still has a radius...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I cant imagine reloading a 380. Thats going to be tough physically

 

[Iowa Fox]

View attachment 1303740
380 4.6 gr Bullseye 115 gr JHP .97in bulge at .230 in case support.

Holy you know what!!

I use 3.5 grains of Bullseye in my 1911 45acp with the 452460 or 452389 cast bullets.

 

[AckleymanII]

I have shot as much as 5.0g of old bullseye in with 220g Saeco mold cast lead in my 45, consider it a max load, very accurate.Dirty. very Dirty.

I converted to 8.0g of AA#5 with the same 220g Hard cast in my 45, clean as a whistle!

 

[cem]

Time was pressure values were much less a concern in listing loads - time was pressures were much less accurately measured to boot.. Mid range gallery loads start low and stay low. The standard load for a 148 grain hollow base wadcutter in .38 Special was 2.7 grains of Bullseye and for a #130 cast bullet in a .45 ACP 3.5 grains of Bullseye. Full power 230 grain FMJ was about 5.0 grains. There were also full range gallery loads. As published these peaked out at enough to get to and through the target and backer rather than being pressure limited. Other loads might reach pressure limits for the cartridge. However lacking some reason to know pressures in the loads as listed there is no reason to use published loads as implying anything about pressure beyond maybe safe as fired in the time and place and gun listed - and not always that. Any number of loads, particularly in Speer manuals, were over SAMMI pressures. Others were not.

When looking for older data I like to look at Load Data - set up for easy computer searches -from Wolfe with much older data and some discussion in the magazines of standards. Load Data has data for the .380 with Bullseye from issue #18 and later. Phil Sharpe has data older than that. I would be very reluctant to draw conclusions from different cartridges at different times but data from the same cartridge with contemporary powder is available.

There are no easy meaningful pressure signs in the 21K range of the .380 or really any handgun ranges. Cases don't change much from 9mm Largo starting loads to 9x23max load or from mid-range .45 ACP to .460 Rowland. In the circumstances described I'd wild ass guess that a 90 grain bullet not seated too deep would be OK up to 3.0 grain of old or new Bullseye.

 

[AckleymanII]

With my Power pistol powder loads with 95g Speer gold dots, I only load new brass. Some of the range pick up stuff is pure crap.

 

[Clark]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Power Pistol and 95 gr Gold Dots in a 380 at 1100 fps killed this wounded antelope buck instantly

 

[asquared19]

Thanks for all the info. As I'm sure is clear, I'm just getting started in all of this so trying to ask enough questions to not hurt myself or my equipment, and yet not overthink it.