RELOADING .380 ACP

[joshb]

Range report:
I took the 380s to the range, along with my Sig 365 and FN Highpower 9mm’s. I’m very rusty so I shot 20 rounds thru the FN on a different target to see if I could hit anything at 15 feet. Then I shot all four guns.
The PPK is nice and small. The CZ has a little bigger grip and feels better in my hand. Given the choice, I’d go with the CZ. I paid $350 for it. It’s a bargain compared to the PPK.
I finished with another ten or so with the FN. It remains my favorite 9mm. The 365 is my choice for carry, given it’s the same size as the PPK, is a 9mm and has more capacity.

 

[bozo699]

Why, thank you Wayne, but I’m no expert. I do know enough to be dangerous.
I did happen to pick up two 380’s yesterday. My Walther PPK/S came in. While I was there, I spied a CZ 83 in the cabinets. I like neat older guns so I bought it. It feels very solid in my hand.
I bought a 200 round brick of ammo so I can try them out tomorrow. I’ll report in with results.

I just bought a bodyguard 2.0 I as well am headed out tomorrow to try it out. I’ll also report back
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

Range report:
I took the 380s to the range, along with my Sig 365 and FN Highpower 9mm’s. I’m very rusty so I shot 20 rounds thru the FN on a different target to see if I could hit anything at 15 feet. Then I shot all four guns.
The PPK is nice and small. The CZ has a little bigger grip and feels better in my hand. Given the choice, I’d go with the CZ. I paid $350 for it. It’s a bargain compared to the PPK.
I finished with another ten or so with the FN. It remains my favorite 9mm.
View attachment 1749870View attachment 1749871

Nice! I see you couldn’t wait lol
Wayne

 

[joshb]

Nice! I see you couldn’t wait lol
Wayne

I was supposed to head to the airport but my guests flight got bumped to tomorrow. I jumped on the opportunity!

 

[hoz53]

Nice! I see you couldn’t wait lol
Wayne

i think the only 380 i have is a colt mustang. you guys are reminding me it needs shot soon.

 

[TIMO]

Following, a lot of great tips. My grandsons got me a Sig P232 (old school) last fall for my birthday . I carry it almost daily when not associated with work. Still need to get a set of dies and components to start loading. It does have some recoil since it is a straight blowback action.

Tim

 

[RPJ]

That Bear Creek 95 gr. mentioned in a couple of posts is a great bullet that functions flawlessly and accurately in my Beretta 84. It however is an absolute no-go in my S&W Bodyguard 2.0. The rim of the case being extracted catches on the case mouth of the next round up in the mag. The extractor pops off the rim usually damaging the rim and the gun jams. It happens every shot, no exceptions. Any bullet that does not have that step between the bearing surface and the nose is fine in that gun.

That’s very similar to what’s happening with my Glock 42 though I can’t tell what’s causing it. Case is black on one side and the edge is burred. Thanks, I’ll take a closed look.

 

[jds holler]

So here we are, on a MAJOR forum that would be described as primarily concerned with precision rifle shooting and reloading -- and we're two pages deep into a happy discussion of the beloved little 380 Auto. And I'm not complaining!

It tells me that sometimes we like to keep things simple and fun. --
and that there are a lot of folks packing a 380 around in their pocket.
jd

 

[AccelR8]

That’s very similar to what’s happening with my Glock 42 though I can’t tell what’s causing it. Case is black on one side and the edge is burred. Thanks, I’ll take a closed look.

When working up loads I have had cases blackened on one side. This has been with light loads and I have always attributed it to low pressure not fully expanding the case and tightly sealing against the chamber wall. Maybe we could call it blow-by. I've never seen it extend as far as the case head though. I think that while it is not a good thing (case SHOULD be fully expanding and sealing) in my opinion it's not a big problem. I think the only real consequence is maybe a somewhat dirtier gun. As long as I'm getting the velocity, accuracy and functioning I want I wouldn't worry about it. And some cases seem to tougher than others. Sometimes the same load in different brand cases exhibit the blackening when other brands do not.

I have not seen nor can I offer any input on the burring that you mentioned. Hopefully someone else can help. Can you post a picture or a burred case?

 

[tommeboy]

the 380 operates at a max of 21.5K psi. So most powders don't burn well in the small capacity case. It is just like 45acp when you run low psi loads and it leaves carbon on the cases.