380 shortage

[ddeaton]

I guess I will get some dies and start loading some 380. With all the concealed carries in OH there are no 380 to be found. Unless you want to pay twice what it is worth. Maybe I will post in the wanted section for some brass. That is if I can even get a set of dies! When will it end?[smilie=b:

[ddeaton]

Guess I will wait, just checked Midway. Nothing in stock at all, dies, jacketed bullets. I do have primers and powder. I new it was bad but didnt know it was this bad. I would never have given a thought to reloading 380 in the past. Next will be 22LR!

[georgewxxx]

Starline has them in stock, but you'll need to by 500 at a crack.

http://www.starlinebrass.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=380&x=16&y=9

[kingstrider]

I'm glad I stocked up last year. Everything is getting hard to find these days..

[atr]

same problem here in WA state,,,,no factory ammo...anywhere...

[ddeaton]

I might order some brass from Starline. I just got my 45LC and 45/70 from them a couple weeks ago. They are the only ones around that seem to be keeping up and not gouging.

[Boondocker]

It is really frustrating when we cant get what we need. Deat keep an eye on the online auctions for dies. You may pay the same for used , but you will have them. If you have any public outdoor ranges around, some folks dont pick up their 9mm and 380 brass. Me I reloaded 380 and 9 mm when people said I was nuts with the surplus on the market. I have my lifetime supply of brass from the ground and am glad I did. My local shop just got primers in and I snagged 2 k for 50.00 and change for both and tickled. If I happen upon new or good used dies I will let you know. Boon[smilie=s:

[rockrat]

Same here. At the gun show last weekend. 380 was scarce and about $40/box at the tables that had some.

[Nate1778]

I remember when I got into reloading the .380 back when I first started reloading. Got a couple discouraging posts about "it wasn't worth the cost", and "I would just buy the ammo, too much trouble to re-load" on some forums. Glad I did.











PS I started reloading in December of '08. Shows hows scarce things got real quick.

[Shepherd2]

I walked into the local gun store last week and instead of being greeted with the usual "Hello". The owner said "No .380s". I was a little puzzled and said "What, guns or ammo?". He said "Either one, no .380s". I guess the fellow I passed on the way in had been all over SE Ohio looking for ammo for the .380 he bought. The owner said people keep coming in looking for .380 ammo or they want a .380 pistol and ammo both. I didn't know the cartridge was so popular.

Luckily I have a decent supply of ammo for my .380. I'll be looking to add to it. I stopped at a big gun store east of Columbus week before last and their pistol ammo shelves were bare. I checked the reloading section and they had about half their usual amount of powder, lots of bullets and zero primers other than 209s.

[zardoz]

I got into the .380 caliber, since it is a concealed carry that my father uses, and I wanted to be able to provide him with ammo in case of shortages. I never considered that caliber previous to the current situation.

I was very lucky to find a Kel-Tec P3AT a few weeks ago, at a pawn shop, never fired new in box, because I wanted something to test my cartridges. I snapped it up right there and then, figuring that .380 was going to be a bear to find soon. I had been looking for Ruger LCP or the Kel-Tec for some weeks previous to that.

Also got dies, brass, moulds, etc, and a few boxes of factory JHP several weeks ago as well. Been loading the Lee 105 grain SWC in those, and it works just fine.

Next thing I know, I call Dad last night, and he asks if I got some stuff to help him out on the .380 front. I told him I got it covered for now, and that next time I visit, we could go shooting 380's. They live two states over, and I don't get to visit but twice a year these days.

(BTW, the first pistol I ever shot, was a Beretta M1934 in .380 that Dad put in my hand when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old. That gun is long gone, but the memory remains strong. At that age, I thought it was a cannon.)

[troy_mclure]

tons of .380 here, got bricks of rem umc 250 for $90+tax.

[Sky King]

Glad I started pickup brass for .380's at the ranges starting 20 years ago even thou I didn't have a .380. But a year ago I purchased a Bersa Thunder in .380 and got dies to go with it.
Amazing what a year makes.

[Ole]

Cheaperthandirt was selling some CCI blazer .380 ammo last week for $69.97 a box.

No, that's not a typo. $70 for aluminum-cased, FMJ plinking ammo.

I guess they found some suckers, because they sold out in a couple days.

[Recluse]

Biggest reason that .380 is so scarce is that the FBI recently adopted it as their "official" backup gun.

That's a HOOT since most FBI agents can rarely find their official NORMAL duty gun. :rolleyes:

But you know what happens when a big LE agency adopts something. First thing is they grab up everything they can. Second thing is they heavily "suggest" to their contractors to put them at the front of the ammo and parts line. Third thing is every wannabe in America rushes out to buy a gun "just like what the FBI uses."

I've been reloading .380 for years. Hardest thing to come by these days is brass. Like boondocker, I have a LOT that I've scrounged over the years, but I've noticed as of late, not a lot of it hitting the ground around here at the ranges.

Seeing .380 brass creep up in price with the auctioneers, too.

For what it's worth, Lee makes a real nice 102RN mould that throws a very good, stable boolit for the .380. I load some of those boolits up in 9mm for fun-plinking. But the boolit works well in a .380.

:coffee:

[Jon]

a friend of mine at work has been looking for some as well. It's really really scarce. Go figure.

[Nate1778]

For what it's worth, Lee makes a real nice 102RN mould that throws a very good, stable boolit for the .380. I load some of those boolits up in 9mm for fun-plinking. But the boolit works well in a .380.

:coffee:





I know, been on back-order for 2 months now, should be here any day now......

[swallytrip]

Friend came back from a local Michigan gun show this week and said the main ammo guy sold out everything he had to one person as soon as the doors opened up for around $20,000.00. Im thinking a store owner or something, and he said the going rate for 50 rounds of .380 were between $80 and $95 a box plus tax.

[putteral]

It is getting insane!!!
:holysheep

[JIMinPHX]

I have a limited amount of .380 ammo. The brass is hard to find here too. Range scrounging for it is even thin.

That little Lee 102 RN loads up nice over 3 grains of Bullseye, if you can find Bullseye these days. That charge gives a nice accurate load that is comfortable to shoot, but is about 100-200fps below most factory ammo.

[Ole]

Friend came back from a local Michigan gun show this week and said the main ammo guy sold out everything he had to one person as soon as the doors opened up for around $20,000.00. Im thinking a store owner or something, and he said the going rate for 50 rounds of .380 were between $80 and $95 a box plus tax.

I just don't get this line of thinking.

Why would anyone pay more than $20/box to shoot a .380?

Jeeze. Just take another gun or don't shoot at all once it gets to that point. :groner:

[oldhickory]

I never considered the cartridge myself, but if you guys want brass I think I have at least 1000, I'll post it in the S&S forum soon, and it'll be reasonable. All I ask is that you buy enough to make shipping it worthwhile. Let me see how many I can get into a small flat rate box.

[Rockchucker]

PM sent

[Cherokee Mike]

I recently traded for a Ruger LCP pistol in .380, so I thought I better stock up on loaded ammo. I placed an order to Georgia Arms for 1,000 rounds. I received a message they were running a couple of months behind in production.

About six to eight weeks after I ordered I received a shipment of 500 rounds. They said the remaining 500 rounds would not be shipped later, so if I needed more to reorder.

[Gee_Wizz01]

Nobody around here has any either, and I was in South Texas last week and buddy who just bought a .380 sig about 6 months ago, couldn't find any either. I have scored several hundred pieces of brass in the last 3 weeks though. I bought 500 Magtech hollow points and 1000 100gr lrn commercial bullets. I have a 6 cavity mold on order over on the group buy, so I should be set. The major problem is those 380 pistols chunk that brass to parts unkown.

G

[Recluse]

That little Lee 102 RN loads up nice over 3 grains of Bullseye, if you can find Bullseye these days. That charge gives a nice accurate load that is comfortable to shoot, but is about 100-200fps below most factory ammo.

Haven't tried that load--will do so this week. Appreciate the tip, and now I'll return the favor.

As far as finding Bullseye, give Hodgdon a call and find out who their distributor shops are in your area, then head that way. They (the distributor shops) are getting priority in shipping from Hodgdon.

It's about a forty-mile drive from my house to the shop that distributes for Hodgdon, but well worth it. He'll also take my order and let me pay over the phone with debit/credit card, calls me when it comes in and I avoid the HazMat fee. Has dang reasonable prices, too. A pound of Bullseye only costs $19, Red Dot $18, Unique $20 (all the new reloaders want it), etc. I've got a large order put in with him. Should be here in a couple of weeks.

:coffee:

[snaggdit]

Well, I posted a couple weeks ago that I needed to load 380 for my MIL for her CC gun. I got some brass, but the dies were on backorder for a month plus until I lucked into some at a local gunshow. She has been unable to locate any ammo un E Texas or central Arkansas in the past several months. Now I am just starting to load up some rounds and send a care package. I am using the Lee 102gr RN and some 95gr Magtechs. I could use some more brass, though. The starline link is starting to look good, am I going insane?

[EMC45]

I think it's hilarious how folks are acting with the .380. I didn't hear the FBI thing, but I know everyone is getting there hands on KelTecs and LCPs (if they can). That would explain the ammo surge. 95 bucks plus tax?!?!?!?! No thanks. I just got rid of my Kel Tec .380 and bought a 60s model 36 Smith. Much better in my opinion. I loaded 120 gr. Lee TC bullets sized to .356 and .358 over 2.4gr. Bullseye in the Kel Tec and they shot great.

[Rockchucker]

I wouldn't mind owning a 102 RN mold, called lee yesterday and the lady was very rude on the phone and it's back ordered until who knows when. I told her nicely never mind I'll use some 115 gr .355 until I find one.

[Willbird]

Friend came back from a local Michigan gun show this week and said the main ammo guy sold out everything he had to one person as soon as the doors opened up for around $20,000.00. Im thinking a store owner or something, and he said the going rate for 50 rounds of .380 were between $80 and $95 a box plus tax.

C'mon, it's getting DEEEEEEEP here.

Some folks are using the LEE 105 grain swc sized to .356 in 380, I cast some for a friend and his P3AT gobbled them up.

Bill

[22lover]

I couldn't believe the $69.95/box thing when I first read it above - not that I doubt anyone here. However, I had to see it for myself so I went to CTD's website and sure enough there it is.

They have it in stock again - how many boxes do you want? :|

Glad I have a 102-gr Lee mould. Now I just have to hone in on a good load with Bullseye for my new LCP - had been on several waiting lists to no avail. It was total dumb luck - walked into an Academy store one morning last week and they had just received a single one in.

Bill

[atr]

same here,,,,the price of 380 ammo when through the roof,,,if you can find it...
I gave up on the 380...sticking with my .38 S&W detective for CC
atr

[BowHunter252]

Hey, I found yall a Lee 102 gr 380 mold!

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEE-9mm-380-CALIBER-102gr-DOUBLE-CAVITY-BULLET-MOLD-NEW_W0QQitemZ310136835594QQihZ021QQcategoryZ71118Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It sold for $112:roll:

[22lover]

Wow....just wow. I have a 500% return on my investment! :/

[22lover]

Here's one still in action....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-bullet-mold-380-9mm-102gr-RN-356-102-1R-380-ACP_W0QQitemZ320368782847QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item4a9777adff&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Any gentlemen's bet takers on what the final price will be?

[22lover]

Why would anyone pay more than $20/box to shoot a .380?

Jeeze. Just take another gun or don't shoot at all once it gets to that point. :groner:

I don't know many who would pay much more than that to shoot a 380 just for grins at the range...but with the unbelievable revival of the round in the small pocket autos, there's obviously a ton of them being carried CC.

Hey, I still have a few boxes of 9mm aluminum CCI Blazer I bought a couple years ago for $3.99/box. At that time I couldn't imagine spending $10/box for plinking ammo for the ubiquitous, nothing-special 9mm. A year or two makes a big difference!

I owe the great folks on this board and Mr. Lee with getting me into the casting and reloading hobby a while back. Sure am happy I didn't procrastinate longer than I did.

[Freightman]

I am reloading the 50 I just shot in my new Mauser pistol, and will until I get more brass. No big deal might shoot it once a year but $70+ for 50 rounds it will not get fired once a decade.

[bigdog454]

I found that I could resize 380 and decap with 38spl dies. I'ce been waiting for 380 dies for 6 weeks now! not pretty but it works with a little adjustments.

[captaint]

Call Starline - Yes you have to buy 500, but it's really good brass and then you're done. For quite a while. I got some 45acp from them a while back. Took 10 days and nobody had anything back then. I weighed & measured them & they're very consistent. Good luck. Mike

[dougader]

I saw guys lamenting the same stuff on another forum, and I thought, wow, I've got dies and some brass. So I packed it up and shipped it to the guy today.

I charged him 5 cents a piece for the brass and 30 bucks for the dies. He was happy. I was happy to clean out some old stock I'll never use again.

I can conceal my G26 in every situation I am in so I'll never rely on a 380 auto again for personal defense.

[Leftoverdj]

I found that I could resize 380 and decap with 38spl dies. I'ce been waiting for 380 dies for 6 weeks now! not pretty but it works with a little adjustments.

.223 sizer and 9mm seater can be used in a pinch to load .380. Dunno why I did not think of .38 Special.

[Ranch Dog]

I'm glad to see those on the forum that appreciate the little 380 Auto! I CC mine, just a simple JA-380. Nice size and very accurate at CC ranges. I just purchased a Jennings T380! It represents the Holy Grail of the "Ring of Fire" pistols, hard to find. I like these pistols because the anti-gun crowd hates them so much but they always managed to hang on!

http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/Firearms/T380/T380_boxed.jpg

I've always reloaded for ALL my pistole's, even the 25 ACP, so I'm doing okay other than slowed down on my shooting until my primer orders come in. Funny, with less than 5K at my bench I get nervous! I did have a couple bullets molds in the works at Lee that are now tied up in the backlog. Oh well, still have a bunch of MagTech bullets for the 380. I do cast for the 25 ACP, 32 ACP, and 9mm.

Based on the chamber cast from my JA-380, a 125-grain bullet is going to work best for me. You can take a look at my bullet here: http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/TL358125RF/

[Down South]

I saw a bunch of 380 ammo on a shelf today at a decent price. You just have to shop around.

[22lover]

Nice gesture, dougader!

[Tom Herman]

I used to reload for the .380... Thank goodness I kept the dies and casings!
A friend just blessed me with another 500 casings... I'm really going to have to buy a .380...
It's NUTS how much some shops want for the ammo... Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories.

Happy Shootin'! -Tom

[zxcvbob]

Cabela's has it online for a reasonable price; IIRC, Magtech was about $17 per box. It's backordered but the wait is supposed to just be a week or two.

I have a P3AT that I bought between Christmas and New Years -- got a deal I couldn't pass up. And a couple of boxes of factory ammo and about 100 pieces of brass that I've picked up over the years when looking for 9mm. I'd love to get some more brass (the gun throws the brass straight up and back about 30 or 40 feet and I always lose a few pieces.) I have the dies already. But mostly I just shoot .38 Specials and a little bit of 9 and .45 Colt. I'll wait out the .380 craze.

(The KelTec is not fun to shoot. It's like a firecracker going off in your hand with every shot. Of course, I load towards the upper end of the load data...)

[paul edward]

In recent years, some of my shooting buddies have made fun of my brass scrounging. Since I load many calibers including 9x19 and .32 ACP, I pick up everything and sort it later. Have accumulated a coffee can full of 40 S&W, a smaller can of .380 and a bunch of other oddities. The one to watch out for is 9mm Makarov. Looks so much like 9x19.

At some of the ranges I use, not many people pick up brass. I have found whole boxes of empty .44 Special and .44 Magnum brass.

May need this for trading if the shortages persist.

PED

[Tom Herman]

In recent years, some of my shooting buddies have made fun of my brass scrounging. Since I load many calibers including 9x19 and .32 ACP, I pick up everything and sort it later. Have accumulated a coffee can full of 40 S&W, a smaller can of .380 and a bunch of other oddities. The one to watch out for is 9mm Makarov. Looks so much like 9x19.

Hi Paul! I do the same thing.... If it's brass and boxer primed, it all comes home with me. I sort it out, and when I get enough, I tumble a load of that caliber.
A trick that works for me is to take the tumbled brass and put it all on a cookie sheet, then stand them up. The .380's stick out like a sore thumb, the Markarovs are a bit harder to spot, but the difference between them and the nines is apparent.

Happy Shootin'!

-Tom

[Hang Fire]

The Wife has a Bersa Model 85 all steel .380 with the 13 rd magazine, and she loves it. The way she goes through ammo, glad she still does her own reloading, and she is 68 years young.

She also has a Bersa Model 23 in .22 rf.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/TANSTAAFL-2/P1010003-9.jpg

[JIMinPHX]

The one to watch out for is 9mm Makarov. Looks so much like 9x19.
PED

If you're looking for somewhere to get rid of that Mak brass that keeps causing you trouble, give me a shout.

Thanks,
Jim