SNS Cast Bullets - .380 ACP 95 gr. Coated Bullet Load Information

[tgtmaster]

I just ordered some SNS Cast Bullets for .380 ACP:

95 grain Lead Round Nose - Polymer Coated

Does anyone have experience loading this bullet? If so, what have been your results? Would you share your load data with me? The powder I primarily use is Unique.

I have been shooting a 95 gr. FMJ bullet. I anticipate reducing that load by 10% with this Molly Coated bullet unless someone has better data.

I have had good luck shooting Molly Coated Bullets in my .45 ACP and decided to give these a try.

Thank you!

[Tatume]

SNS bullets are not moly coated. They shoot well enough in other calibers; I've fired a few thousand of them when I didn't have time to cast.

[Bonz]

Yep, they use Hi-Tech coating which is a polymer

[tgtmaster]

Bonz, thank you for clearing that up. Do you have any experience loading 95 gr. Lead bullets in .380 ACP?

[jcren]

I load the lee 95 grain round flat for my 2 380's and powder coat everything. I ran unique when working up loads, but the wife's walther shot way low with it and eventually settled on 2.2 grains of WST. Cronographed from my bersa, 789fps low, 802 high out of 10 rounds and is leathal on armadillo and possum

[tgtmaster]

jcren,

Do you recall what your charge weight was of Unique under your 95 grain bullet?

Thank you for your input!

[jcren]

I don't recall what I started at, but I ended up at 4.0 with unique. It does shoot well and had the mildest recoil of the 5 or 6 I tried, I was just tuning the load for the wife's gun to shoot to a 6 o'clock hold to simplify traini g.

[mdi]

Try starting out with lead bullet data for your coated bullets (I know, some manufacturers suggest "mid jacketed level loads", but that is for max loads).

[tgtmaster]

MDI and jcren,

Thank you both for your input. My previous FMJ 95 grain load was 4.0 grains of Unique. That load was very manageable. I plan on starting out testing 3.5 and 3.6 grains of Unique (-10% off my jacked round). Since my CW380 has traditional rifling, I thought I would give Molly coated lead bullets a try. I have ran around 700 rounds of FMJ through it (I cleaned the copper out in preparation for lead). My theory is a .380 ACP pocket gun needs to be shot a lot before I carry it for protection.

[jcren]

Good plan, how do you like the kahr? I have been looking at one myself.

[tgtmaster]

I like the gun enough. I have had to work out a few kinks. I have only posted once or twice on this forum and that topic is included. If I knew how to insert it in this post I would. See if you can search my name. I have made the suggested modifications; but have not had a chance to shoot it since. I really want it to work out. I absolutely love my P9 and PM9.

[Bonz]

Bonz, thank you for clearing that up. Do you have any experience loading 95 gr. Lead bullets in .380 ACP?

I used to but I have switched to MontanaGold 95gr JHP for range practice and carry ammo. I buy them by the case and they are less than .10 per bullet. I don't shoot my .380 carry gun a lot at the range but when I do, I like to practice with the same ammo that I carry. Almost all of the indoor ranges we shoot at don't like anyone to shoot cast boolits because the excess smoke they generate. They are all new ranges with HEPA filters in their air systems. I have bought some powder from a member here and I am going to try and powder coat some bullets and try them out.

[tgtmaster]

Well! This might be a bust. My RCBS dies bullet seater mangles the nose of this bullet. I'll contact their customer service on Monday to see if they offer a different shape to accommodate this bullet. These dies worked fin with harder FMJ bullets. I may have to punt and go back to Everglades FMJ.

[S.B.]

Jim(Stiener/SNS) is a close personal friend of mine, I only live a few miles from his shop and have shot many thousands of his bullets mostly in .452 SWCs without any problems.
Steve

[btreanor]

I use a similar bullet (95 grain) from Black & Blue Bullets: http://www.blackandbluebullets.com/96__RN_NLG_500ct_Shipping_Included/p1287789_12606609.aspx

I get the .358 size because my G42 slugs right at .357 and the chamber is very generous. I've found that I have to give the brass a wide bell mouth for good seating, and I've found that a 9mm seater works better than a .380 one because it doesn't "size down" the bell mouth as the bullet is seated.

My most accurate load has been 4.0 to 4.2 grains of Power Pistol.

[tgtmaster]

btreanor, thank you for the advice. I have a second 9mm seater and will try out your method this weekend! I have had great results with SNS bullets in my .45 ACP and really want to make them work in my .380.

[paul edward]

My RCBS dies bullet seater mangles the nose of this bullet.

You can easily make a new face for the bullet seater with epoxy. Search this forum for detailed instructions.