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View Full Version : Which Lee boolit best for general .380 ACP plinking/target shooting?



bedbugbilly
02-11-2014, 02:27 PM
I currently reload and primarily shoot 38 spl. & 9mm. I'm getting set up to reload .380 ACP - primarily because I have an older friend (early 80s) that recently purchased a Smith .380 BG. I'm looking to reload some general "plinking rounds" - nothing "hot" but some that will cycle well and afford some fun plinking at out to 25 yards (mostly shorter distances though). I'm doing this so he can have the opportunity to shoot more and we can do it together to get him "out and about" once in a while. I sold my .380 several years back and will probably pick up either a Bersa or a Walther PPK 380 - mine will be strictly for plinking.

I have gotten a supply of range brass and am ready to order my dies and mold. I'm trying to do this on a budget so will just get a Lee DC mold - but - now I'm stuck on which mold/boolit will be the best for what I'm trying to accomplish?

Looking at the Lees - I see a 356-102-1R and a 356-95-RF as well as several heavier gr. wts. that according to the description are for 9mm, 38 ACP, etc. Right now, I'm using the Lee 356-120-TC for my 9mm and it works slick. I'm thinking that a 95 or a 102 is more appropriate for a .380 ACP though???

I know that each pistol is a "creature unto itself" but which mold do I want / should I go with for general plinking and shooting with a .380 that has a history of cycling well, etc.? Suggestions please? Greatly appreciated.

As a side note - the 120 gr. TC that I'm using in my 9mm drop at about .358 - I'm sizing them to .357 and TL in alox/paste wax and load over 3.5 gr. of BE - they work well in my SR9 - no leading problems. Casting with range lead. On the .380, I'll probable use BE.

I'm in AZ - my reloading stuff is back in MI so I can't load up one of the 120 gr TC in a .380 case to see what the OAL of it is. I am still thinking that I need a lighter gr. wt. for the .380?

Boogieman
02-11-2014, 03:02 PM
I load the Lee 102gr. RN over Titegroup 2.1 gr. They run in my PPK, & the wife' Colt 380 & NAA Gusrdian. This is a light load that groups good in all 3 guns. cronos 616 fps SD27. It might do better loaded a little heaver. also load a 115gr. SWC, Lyman, over 2.4 of 231 for the Colt & PPK cronos. 669fps 13 SD. BE works good in the 380 but I have a lot more Titegroup

dudel
02-11-2014, 04:35 PM
I'm hoping it the new Lee mould I just got in today. The model is TL356-95-RF. It's a new Lee design, Midway had them on sale last week so I snagged one. Looks promising.

I also have the Lee 356-102-1R, and it's not bad in .380, better in 9mm. I also have the Lee 120TC design which works great in 9mm.

Super Sneaky Steve
02-11-2014, 07:10 PM
I'm hoping it the new Lee mould I just got in today. The model is TL356-95-RF. It's a new Lee design, Midway had them on sale last week so I snagged one. Looks promising.

Well, what do you know. They still got em. It's not even on the Lee site yet. Now they just need to make a 358-180 and a 365-147 and I'll be a happy camper.

I'm going to order one now.

mikeym1a
02-11-2014, 10:47 PM
I've been using the Lee 102gr RN for mine, because it was what was available. Now they have come out with that 95gr mould, I intend to order one of those. More load data for me and the powder I am using. I have some OLD AL-5 that I have had for a long time, about 3lbs worth. At 4.4grs per load, it should last for a long time. Once that is gone, I may have to actually buy (HORRORS!) more powder. The 95 grain seems to be the best all-around weight, from what I can gather looking at the load manuals. Happy Shooting! mikey

dkf
02-12-2014, 12:47 AM
The Lee 356-95-RF that just came out is like the Ranch Dog design that has been ran in the GB section in the past. I bought a 6 cavity the beginning of last month. Titan Reloading has them cheaper with shipping than Midway.

You can use the 120gr TC in .380 however a lighter boolit is better suited for the .380. The longer bullets tend to get swaged down and/or bulge the case on .380. Plus you don't have much space left in the case for powder. The 356-95 or 356-102 will work well for .380.

warf73
02-12-2014, 02:28 AM
I'm hoping it the new Lee mould I just got in today. The model is TL356-95-RF. It's a new Lee design, Midway had them on sale last week so I snagged one. Looks promising.

Its very close to the RD 100gr mold, you will need (just a sugestion) some 45/45/10 to tumble lube them new boolits. I use Red Dot 2.X grs, with a winchester primer and mixed brass. The boolits shoots great out of a P238, just loaded up the 2nd batch of 1k for the wife over xmas time.

BDJ
02-12-2014, 07:32 PM
The Lee mold 356-95-RF cast a .3575 Bullet that weighed 98 gr. using a 50/50 mix WW and cable sheathing. Used this mold
http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/bullet-molds/9mm-luger-38-super-auto-380-auto/lee-dc-mold-35695rf
and water quenching the bullets. The bullets shoot well out of a Bersa Thunder 380 CC. Looks like Dennis at Titan has 15 or so molds.
Used Ranch Dogs loading info from his web site. Was using Unique powder and Fed primers in mixed range brass. Everything was good, no fail to fire or fail to eject. 150 Rounds

Ranch dogs site http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/TL358100RF/data/loadnotes03.pdf