380 ACP Boolet Choice

[Wots]

Given the choice for the most stopping power, would you go with a 80gr HP or 92gr RN @ 358 dia?

[BCall]

Neither, I would use the Ranchdog FN boolits, either 100gr or 125 gr depending on the gun I was loading for. I have quite a few molds for the 380, but they are the best available IMO.

[Wots]

So the FN boolet would have the better penetration/expansion?

[HollowPoint]

Because of the outrageously high price of factory bullets -both fmj and HP defensive type- I bought a cheap aluminum Lee 105 grain bullet mold and hollow pointed one of the cavities.

I'm very happy with the resulting 100 grain hollow-pointed bullets this mold now drops from one cavity , and the 105 grain RN from the other cavity.

As far as "Stopping Power," I'd say with the 10-12 BHN I cast them at they equal the jacketed store bought hollow point defensive bullets. Having shot these cast hollow points into downed-sahuaro cactus, they mushroom quite reliably and seem to penetrated about 10 to 11 inches. (provided I didn't hit any ribs) The round nose versions just zip right on through.

My 380 is my every day carry gun. The cast bullets mentioned above are for general plinking and practice while in the field. For self-defense I keep it loaded with Hydo-Shocks.

HollowPoint

[Ranch Dog]

For self defense, I'm a heavy, round flat, guy. I do carry a sub compact or full frame 380 Auto at some point every day when I leave the ranch. My choices are the same as Billy.

[Wots]

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Blammer]

I too would go with the Flat Point.

[lwknight]

Given the choice for the most stopping power, would you go with a 80gr HP or 92gr RN @ 358 dia?

Stopping What? A psycho meth head will not stop until you ventilate him relieve him of all his blood pessure. He will have plenty of time to cut you up in the mean time.

A 22 will cause someone to die. But when? Stopping means to shut down the threat before it hurts you. Big difference.

I bite my tongue ..

[Recluse]

Stopping What? A psycho meth head will not stop until you ventilate him relieve him of all his blood pessure. He will have plenty of time to cut you up in the mean time.

A 22 will cause someone to die. But when? Stopping means to shut down the threat before it hurts you. Big difference.

I bite my tongue ..

Trust me: A .380 into the head WILL stop a cranked up PCP'd biker in his tracks and drop him like a sack of potatoes.

Saw it happen firsthand, from about fifteen feet away when our U.S. Attorney dropped a charging 6' 6" biker-wannabe who (according to the FE who posted him) was PCP'd up. One shot, to the head, and this behemoth dropped on the spot and never moved, twitched, breathed or fluttered ever again.

Now, with that said, the .380 is not my first choice of self-defense weapon, but one does stay in my flight bag at all times. Worst case scenario, I can survive with that gun just fine.

In cast, I prefer the 105SWC aircooled and with a BHN of 10 or less. For jacketed, I'm still a Hydrashok man.

:coffee:

[atr]

125 gr RN flat base with no gas check.
makes a nice stout load...my Lama 380 loved it

[whisler]

How does that 125 RF feed in your Llama and at what OAL? I have the lee 358-125RF and a .380 Llama. Any load data you would care to share would be appreciated, either here or by PM.

[Centaur 1]

Get the Ranch Dog 100gr RF mold, you'll never regret it. My Ruger LCP loves this boolit. I went shooting last Sunday and shot a couple of hundred rounds with zero problems. They even shot without any leading in my 9mm Glock 26.

[reloader28]

If want penatration, I'll stick with my 125gr TN boolits. That said, I want the Lee 125gr (I think) RF for 38's. Anybody got some of the new style I could buy and try? I think they would shoot good in my 380's and work OK loaded hot.

I would prefer my 44 with 320grFN, but thats to slow and bulky.

[GabbyM]

This is an old discontinued Lyman bullet I have a 2 cavity mould for.
RD's bullet is probably better yet. TCFP penetrate deeper and straighter than a RN. All while leaving a larger hole. May seam counterintuitive but the shock wave from the FN reduced drag on the sides of the bullet. 100 grains is heavy enough for a 380 acp. IMHO.


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=32&pictureid=145

[bobthenailer]

For self defence, in my carry guns i reload the barnes tac xp all copper bullets, a little expensive , but whats your life worth ! I use them in 380/9mm/38 super and 45 acp .
Not counting the brass, for all calibers combined it costs me $0.75 a round compaired to $1.75 a round to buy corbon factory ammo useing the barnes bullet.
for the 380 , barnes makes a 80 gr hp tac xp bullet for reloading that will exceed all your needs. for expansion and penetration . they are on sale now at midway for $17.00 a box of 40

[whopist]

GabbyM,
I also use the discontinued Lyman #356404 100g for 380 ACPs. How long do you load yours? Mine are .90” OAL

But the SAECO #377 124g is my favorite. It’s loaded to .96” OAL
Here they are with a Star Mod SS and KelTec 3AT for a background.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii165/whopist/My380s.jpg


Wots, if you choose a HP then by all means make it light and keep the speed up. I personally don't trust HPs in 380s. Some do!

[Cherokee]

I have the Lyman 356404 and like it very much, but none of my 380's are completely reliable with the bullet. I use an NEI mold 109 gr TC bullet that is reliable in BDA380, Star Pony, IJ Pony, KT P3AT, Bersa.

[dualsport]

+1 for the RD 100 gr. Functions flawlessly in my Bersa .380. Accurate too. But, what load does James Bond use? He gets pretty good 'stopping power' with his Walther.

[GabbyM]

GabbyM,
I also use the discontinued Lyman #356404 100g for 380 ACPs. How long do you load yours? Mine are .90” OAL

But the SAECO #377 124g is my favorite. It’s loaded to .96” OAL
Here they are with a Star Mod SS and KelTec 3AT for a background.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii165/whopist/My380s.jpg


Wots, if you choose a HP then by all means make it light and keep the speed up. I personally don't trust HPs in 380s. Some do!

I load #356404 to .930”.
Looked a lot like the Siera 90 grain TC-JHP bullet and that’s the length in the Sierra manual so I tried it. Right now the only 380 we have is a Kel Tec that weighs about as much as a good sized pocket knife. I load a medium charge of WW231 under the 100 grain bullet.

In the larger 380’s where the recoil would be no issue I could see 115gr J bullets or the 122gr cast.

[Bret4207]

This is an old discontinued Lyman bullet I have a 2 cavity mould for.
RD's bullet is probably better yet. TCFP penetrate deeper and straighter than a RN. All while leaving a larger hole. May seam counterintuitive but the shock wave from the FN reduced drag on the sides of the bullet. 100 grains is heavy enough for a 380 acp. IMHO.


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=32&pictureid=145

I have a 90 gr NEI that appears very similar. Drops about 95 grs in my alloy. Killed 2 coyotes with it. Seemed to work fine.

[zardoz]

Wots, have you seen this page?

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/380acp/gel380acp.htm

[Ranch Dog]

If want penatration, I'll stick with my 125gr TN boolits. That said, I want the Lee 125gr (I think) RF for 38's. Anybody got some of the new style I could buy and try? I think they would shoot good in my 380's and work OK loaded hot.

I would prefer my 44 with 320grFN, but thats to slow and bulky.

See my web site for the two outfits selling my bullets.

[reloader28]

Thanks
Those are good lookin boolits