380 ACP LRN

[OEF-Vet]

I picked up some 95 gr round nose cast bullets at a gun show but I can't seem to find any load data. I'm looking to use Bullseye or HP-38 and work up a light plinking load.

Thanks in advance

 

[slugoo]

for my 380 I use 2.9--3.1 bullseye and it is very accurate in my little ruger.
for 231 I use 2.9--3.2 and it is not as good as bullseye, 231 is the same as HP-38. This is with the 95 grain LRN and I use mostly bullseye.

 

[poline]

( CAUTION: The following post worked in my pistol, this does not mean it will work in yours. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.)
I, too, wanted to shoot LRN in my .380 and could not find data for the 95gain lrn. What I did find was data for the 100gain LRN in the Lee manual:
Accur#2 3.2 gains, Velocity FPS 841. Starter load.

This is the way it worked out!
95 gain LRN
3.2gains Accur#2
1/4 turn regular crimp
bell, after crimp .370
Over all length .968---------Minimum OVER ALL LENGTH .950
No pressure signs ( fold over ridge on primer)
Recoil light to firm
FPS:
HIGH 1061 FPS
LOW 988 FPS
AVG 1028 FPS
ES 73 FPS
SD 22 FPS
"It was very accurate!"
I'm not that happy with the ES and the SD. An I would like a slow avg speed, this is just for target shooting, no need to be ruff on pistol or shooter!
At this time I'm settling for this, because I do not know what else to do.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[poline]

( CAUTION: The following post worked in my pistol, this does not mean it will work in yours. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.)
I, too, wanted to shoot LRN in my .380 and could not find data for the 95gain lrn. What I did find was data for the 100gain LRN in the Lee manual:
Accur#2 3.2 gains, Velocity FPS 841. Starter load.

This is the way it worked out!
95 gain LRN
3.2gains Accur#2
1/4 turn regular crimp
bell, after crimp .370
Over all length .968---------Minimum OVER ALL LENGTH .950
No pressure signs ( fold over ridge on primer)
Recoil light to firm
FPS:
HIGH 1061 FPS
LOW 988 FPS
AVG 1028 FPS
ES 73 FPS
SD 22 FPS
"It was very accurate!"
I'm not that happy with the ES and the SD. An I would like a slow avg speed, this is just for target shooting, no need to be ruff on pistol or shooter!
At this time I'm settling for this, because I do not know what else to do.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[poline]

Sorry, about that double post!

 

[poline]

(CAUTION: The following post includes load data that is from a 2001 manualUSE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information)
My first post was from the Lee 2007 manual and I used it in my .380.
The following is from the 2000 Lee manual:
95 gain bullet ( IT ONLY SAYS 95 GAIN BULLET, NOT LEAD OR FMJ)
95 GAIN BULLET
HP38
3.0 to 3.2 gains
884 fps
I'll have to think about this one, myself. I have not used it.

 

[sourdough44]

I would be in the area of 3.2 grains of HP-38/win 231 with that bullet.

 

[OEF-Vet]

Thanks guys,
I will be trying out the load poline discovered and sourdough44 seconded since I have the components on hand. I also will be trying

95 gr LRN:
Bullseye: 2.1 gr @ 695 fps 11,000 cup to 2.8 gr @ 890 fps 15,800 cup
OAL: 0.915

Provided via another forum.

I will let you know how I made out after the weekend.

 

[OEF-Vet]

Well the Bullseye load worked out very well. I didn't get a chance to try out the HP38 load because I only had 50 primers. Thought I had more but it was a box of rifle I had not pistol. Any way all 50 rounds shot 5 shot groups at varying speed functioned and grouped well. Best group being 1.75" at 10 yards. Not bad freehand out of a 2.75" barrel. Other groups spread out to 5" or so but I am pleased with these results considering my intention was to get a low recoil practice load the ran through the weapon well and that's exactly what I got. These were a pleasure to shoot out of my Bodyguard 380.

 

[zxcvbob]

I've used a max load of Unique (I don't remember the OAL so I don't want to list the load data), and 3.0 grains of International Clays. The recoil from the Unique load was fierce; it's what I would carry if I carried the .380.

3 grains of International is also close to a max load, but somewhat lower energy and more pleasant to shoot.

231 (AKA HP-38), Bullseye, Green Dot, Titegroup, American Select, and Universal all should be good powders in .380