380 auto loads?

[brusso89]

The old lady finally got her first gun, the sig p238 (of course it had to be the bedazzled "lady" version). its a pretty cool little gun, pretty much a mini 1911. anyways, I have never loaded 380 auto and im a little stumped. I see that sierra makes a 115 grain hollow point with load data, Hornady only makes a 90 grain xtp yet they make a 115 grain 9mm (both .355") but they do not have load data for a 115 grain 9mm/.355" in the 380 auto cartridge. I was talking to a old timer at cabelas and he said im good to load that 115 grain Hornady 9mm xtp and use the sierra 115 grain hollow point load data and work up. especially since the p238 is a locking breach not a blow back, I can technically go a hair above published max loads given pressure signs look ok. my question is how many of you guys load for 380 and what is the heaviest you have loaded/shot?

 

[Hidalgo]

I carry a .380 for concealed at certain times when absolutely necessary. I can tell you that from the research I have done the 90 grain bullets are better for a self defense round than the 115s. Also, round nose bullets have proven better because the hollow point bullets have been known to clog when shot through heavier clothing. When using the .380 penetration is poorly achieved because of the lack of energy and the round nose bullets penetrate better. This isn't conjecture but rather data and experience from actual field use. All of this tells me that the .380 (while fun to shoot) is not much punkin for a self defense round. But when nothing else is concealable it's better than nothing. I know this doesn't answer your reloading questions, but it is food for thought nonetheless.

As for the "old timer"'s advice, I'd stay within published data when loading. There are a lot of "old timers" out there that know their stuff, but taking the advice of someone you ran into in a store and don't know isn't a very wise move. Load it by the book, within published loads, and you'll be fine. Trying to load a hot round for a .380 is kinda like trying to make a race car out of a Pinto. Waste of money, time, and possibly skin.


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[OldTurtle]

I have basically abandoned my Sig .380 in favor of my Diamond Back 9mm with 95gr Hornady HP...Like Hidalgo, I've come to question the wisdom of the HP rounds as most tend to be touchy in the feeding department with many .380s and heavier clothing on a target tends to be a negative factor when compared to a standard round nose...

Having moved to FL lately, heavier clothing than a sweat shirt is rarely encountered, even in our 'cold' times..So a hollow point may not be that much of a negative factor...

 

[Doubless]

I am a caster and "roll my own" for everything I own, including the .380. My plinking load is 4.4-4.5 grains of AA #5 behind the Hensley and Gibbs S55 bullet, which is a nominal 100-grain round nose. It feeds like oil on glass and is remarkably accurate from everything I have loaded it in.

I shot the 115s years ago but do not remember what the load was, and I am terrible at keeping notes. Once I find a load that works I put it on the box and duplicate it.

Having said all that, for CCW I believe I would buy something reputable off the shelf and not load for concealed carry. It to me just isn't worth the risk of something not going off when it had to. I would think that anything from CorBon, Speer, the Hornady CDP or similar loads would work very well, and you can shoot handloads for proficiency. One box of 20 high performance factory loads is pretty cheap life insurance, as I see it.

Just my honest $.02...

 

[muskrat30]

I have loaded a fair amount of 380. One powder you see mentioned often is Win-231, that's what I use. I have loaded mostly 100 grn plated bullets and Speer 90 grn gold dots.

I wouldn't mess with 115 grn bullets in the 380. I'd go for a little more speed.

The data in the Speer book is on the high end, compared to most others. I loaded my 90 grn bullets just about 50 FPS behind factory Speer 90 grn loads. They are still below max in the Speer book. I used my chrony to check factory ammo against my reloads.

My 2 380's are the LCP and a Sig P238.

 

[ackleyman]

I shoot 95g bullets of various types. My load with the 95g is 4.5g of Power pistol and 4.6 is rated as a max load. I shoot a Ruger.

There are some You tube video's on shooting hams, turkeys, etc with the 380 which are quite impressive.

If you go to www.gunbroker.com there are some police ammo out there that is loaded for the 380 that is quite impressive, of the more modern Black Talon type bullet. You will have to check and see if it is legal in your state.

I think that if your wife needs her 380, she will be in a situation where someone is within 3' of her or has their hands on her. Please get her to practice drawing, and taking the safety off as she pulls the gun till it is a natural response.

There is some ammo out there in 380 caliber that the guns are not rated to take the pressure, shoot what you practice with.

If you feel the need to carry a pistol, always carry a reload, bad guys often swarm.

If you and your wife can find a rifle range that offers IDPA, go to it, it will be a lot of fun for the both of you and give you actual training on drawing your pistol and firing while having a little stress on you.

 

[K-22hornet.]

I also have a P238. Very nice gun. I've loaded a variety of loads from very mild to somewhat 'warm' and have had no jams, except when I used a plated bullet that is .356. On some cases, the neck would expand just enough to cause a feeding issue, so now I use those in a 38spl. load.

As I am a proponent of Barnes bullets, I load an 80gr Barnes in my 380 and would expect it to work well.

For factory loads, look at Liberty Ammo. Their Civil Defense load shoots a 50gr HP at about 1,500fps.