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darned 380
- Thread starter ADIDAS69
- Start date
Idaho Spud
New member
Not only does 800X meter badly it's one of the worst choices to load 380 ACP, wa-a-ay too slow. You prolly can't get enough in the case to get a seated bullet to exit the muzzle. Well, that might be a stretch, but there're just better choices.
Idaho Spud
New member
I'll be interested in that report. What would be really interesting is being able to chrono that load. You may only need a wristwatch....just kidding!
What are you shooting it in? I see Hogdon got 840 fps with 4.0 grs. Ya probably don't have to worry about an overload, anyway. Let us know.
What are you shooting it in? I see Hogdon got 840 fps with 4.0 grs. Ya probably don't have to worry about an overload, anyway. Let us know.
I think that IMR-800X may indeed be the single WORST metering powder ever produced and marketed for handloaders. And no matter the depths of the powder drought (that we are all experiencing), I think this is a poor idea and I wouldn't do it.Any thoughts?
However, since it seems to be that you are going to do it anyway, I would suggest that you really take your time with all the shots fired, and ensure that every "bang" you hear also puts a hole or some manner of evidence on the target. Because if the vibrating technique for getting the equivalent of crushed oreos through a powder measure doesn't work as well as you hope, one obvious net result could be a bullet stuck in your bore.
Which, in and of itself doesn't have to be catastrophic.
But shooting the NEXT one will be.
800X is the so hard to meter, I give up, and measure every charge.
I use a lot of 800-X in 45 ACP and 40 S & W. I gave up trying to use a case activated powder drop because of the issues you are having. I switched to the Hornady Auto Charge because it will measure everything from No 2 to 800-X to rice crispies and cornflakes. 800-X is a good powder for auto pistols once you have a means to accurately measure it. It is adequately fast and burns relatively clean.
Not only does 800X meter badly it's one of the worst choices to load 380 ACP, wa-a-ay too slow. You prolly can't get enough in the case to get a seated bullet to exit the muzzle. Well, that might be a stretch, but there're just better choices.
Agreed. My go to for 380 is Bullseye.
Idaho Spud
New member
Unique is about as slow as I use in 380. It works OK, but I prefer BE and Titegroup. 3.7 gr. Unique works in an LCP with 104 gr. Lee cast for plinking.
I know powder is scarce and see many trying to "make" powders work in apps for which they weren't necessarily intended.
Last nite I found a load for 380 ACP in Speer #11, for a 95 gr. plated bullet: 5.9 gr. 800X, MAX load. Can you get that much in under a seated bullet? Just because loads are in a "book" doesn't always make them viable. Expect a bit of unburned powder, too.
I know powder is scarce and see many trying to "make" powders work in apps for which they weren't necessarily intended.
Last nite I found a load for 380 ACP in Speer #11, for a 95 gr. plated bullet: 5.9 gr. 800X, MAX load. Can you get that much in under a seated bullet? Just because loads are in a "book" doesn't always make them viable. Expect a bit of unburned powder, too.
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Hit the range this morning. 50 rounds
100 grn plated round nose
3.5 grn 800X
OAL .945
No squibs
Bullet drop at 50 ft was 1/2 inch
Not enough energy to operate the slide (so I got some slide racking practice)
Metering fix: tiny vibrator works like a charm. Auto disk .53 is throwing consistently 97% accurate +/- .1 grn. Did not use graphite.
Made up 50 more
100 grn plated round nose
4.4 grn 800X
OAL .975
Should hopefully make it back to the range this evening.
100 grn plated round nose
3.5 grn 800X
OAL .945
No squibs
Bullet drop at 50 ft was 1/2 inch
Not enough energy to operate the slide (so I got some slide racking practice)
Metering fix: tiny vibrator works like a charm. Auto disk .53 is throwing consistently 97% accurate +/- .1 grn. Did not use graphite.
Made up 50 more
100 grn plated round nose
4.4 grn 800X
OAL .975
Should hopefully make it back to the range this evening.
Idaho Spud
New member
Good report. My only experience with 800X was years ago when a friend gave me about a half pound. Used it for 357 and 44 mag loads. It was free. Never bought any. Good for magnum shotshell loads but I only loaded target stuff.
Keep us posted.
Keep us posted.
Fullthrottle
New member
For reloading 380acp, I have come to the conclusion that I use a dipper to get close to the needed charge and hand trickle to the desired charge. I have never been happy with the case capacity and varied charge weights that throwers yield!
The .380acp does not have a big case capacity and the min and max charges for most powders are too small for me to just throw a charge and be ok with it!
The .380acp does not have a big case capacity and the min and max charges for most powders are too small for me to just throw a charge and be ok with it!
Second report.
Larger grain loads yielded proper operation and flat trajectory out to 50 ft. with a miniature vibrator taped to the side of the pro auto disk measure I was able to create 50 perfectly (accurate and precise) charged cartridges. They had a little more energy than was strictly needed at 4.4 grn of powder so i am going to dial it back to 3.9-4.0 grn and call it good.
There is definitely zero extra space in the shell but everything seats and functions perfectly through my Glock 42. Which is good cause i bought three pounds of this PITA powder. Mostly i am pleased that i didn't have to use graphite and that i defeated the inanimate objects.
Larger grain loads yielded proper operation and flat trajectory out to 50 ft. with a miniature vibrator taped to the side of the pro auto disk measure I was able to create 50 perfectly (accurate and precise) charged cartridges. They had a little more energy than was strictly needed at 4.4 grn of powder so i am going to dial it back to 3.9-4.0 grn and call it good.
There is definitely zero extra space in the shell but everything seats and functions perfectly through my Glock 42. Which is good cause i bought three pounds of this PITA powder. Mostly i am pleased that i didn't have to use graphite and that i defeated the inanimate objects.
Idaho Spud
New member
With 800X in 380 ACP just about any load that allows the gun to function is likely gonna be compressed.
Curious as to how you alighted on 4.4 grs.? 4.0 is MAX in Hodgdon's data.
Another idea, too. If you're trying to find a load that works, start low and work up to your projected maximum a tenth grain or 2 at a time, loading 5 or 10 of each (and shooting them) til you reach your goal. We used to call that a "pressure series". Loading 50 each time's gonna run ya out of components quickly, not to mention having to dismantle some that might be prove unusable. Taking 50 apart with an impact gizmo ain't fun! I know.
Curious as to how you alighted on 4.4 grs.? 4.0 is MAX in Hodgdon's data.
Another idea, too. If you're trying to find a load that works, start low and work up to your projected maximum a tenth grain or 2 at a time, loading 5 or 10 of each (and shooting them) til you reach your goal. We used to call that a "pressure series". Loading 50 each time's gonna run ya out of components quickly, not to mention having to dismantle some that might be prove unusable. Taking 50 apart with an impact gizmo ain't fun! I know.
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Idaho Spud
New member
There are a lot of differences in data, but working up to max from below, a little at a time, is the preferable (safe) way to get to max. You may have found 4.0 to be max that way and saved components. In other words, one guy's "never exceed" may be too hot, in your specific application.
CosmicCoder
New member
ADIDAS69:
What version of the Lee .380 ACP dies set instruction insert are you reading? The load chart in the instruction insert that came with my Lee .380 ACP dies set [Copyright 08-04-2011] states that the "NEVER EXCEED" load for IMR 800X with 100gr jacketed bullets is 4.0gr.
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