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Thread: 380 boolit

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    380 boolit

    Hi guys.
    Wondering what you think of these designs for a LCP
    Accurate 35-098S or Lee TL 356-95 RF. How do you think either would work in the 1st model LCP?
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    My LCP, SIG P230, and Beretta M1935 all shoot accurately and feed reliably with Accurate 35-120H, cast from wheelweights, sized .357" and loaded with 2.5 grains of Bullseye. Velocity about 800 fps from the LCP. When hollow pointed by Erik at www.hollowpointmold.com and cast of 1:30 tin-lead the HP version of the bullet weighs 114 grains. Velocity is a bit low from the LCP for reliable expansion, but it mushrooms nicely from barrels 3.5" or longer.

    Attachment 204154Attachment 204155
    Last edited by Outpost75; 09-16-2017 at 12:35 PM.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master

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    My NOE TL358-100 is a Ranch Dog design very similar (if not identical) to those two and IS dimensioned to be tumble-lubed and loaded as-is. Had very good luck shooting mine across several vintage .380 designs as well as a new Glock 42, and bought the mold largely on the recommendation of a friend who runs it in an LCP (perhaps from a Lee mold) and has had good success at possum control with it.

    The Accurate 35-098R would be their tumble lube version. It'll be more expensive going that with that maker, but Accurate lets you spec mold materials, final diameter with a specific casting alloy, sprue plate design, and you can get it to order in a couple of weeks as opposed to waiting for NOE's next run in the format you like. Both will be a MUCH nicer mold than the Lee. I would unhesitatingly say that having an NOE is worth well more than the 30% less you'd spend on the Lee 6-holer. An Accurate might run you triple the Lee's price or more, depending on how you set it up. Whether that's overkill for a snubby defense pistol or not depends a little on what you want to work with. No question that the Lee will serve well, but probably not for as long.
    WWJMBD?

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  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    I have the Lee 6 cavity and both our 380's shoot this bullet well. 4.2 of autocomp and smokes pc is proven possum and dillo medicine.
    "In God we trust, in all others, check the manual!"

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy 6thtexas's Avatar
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    I shoot a bullet similar to what Outpost 75 shoots. I use the Accurate 35-122t:
    http://www.accuratemolds.com/img/bul.../35-122T-D.png

    On top of 2.9 grains of HP38 velocity is 758 FPS out of my LCP. Feeds well and has good penetration. I could probably increase the powder charge a bit, but this does what I want it to do.

    I also have the NOE TL358-100-RF. On top of 3.5 Grains of HP-38, it will break 900FPS out of the LCP.

    I personally like the heavier bullet better and that is what I carry in it

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 6thtexas View Post
    ...I use the Accurate 35-122t:
    http://www.accuratemolds.com/img/bul.../35-122T-D.png On top of 2.9 grains of HP38 velocity is 758 FPS out of my LCP. Feeds well and has good penetration... I personally like the heavier bullet better and that is what I carry in it
    Yes, that bullet also VG. I tested an earlier version 36-125T which was based on the 37-125T for the 9x18MAK cut to smaller diameter. Tom at Accurate changed the designator for the .380 ACP bullet and THAT is now cataloged as the 35-122T, here is a test target.

    Attachment 204164
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  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy 18Bravo's Avatar
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    I can't speak for the LCP but I do use the LEE TL356-95 in a Bersa Thunder 380 with very good results. I powder coat and load it in front of 3.1gr of W231or HP38 with a very light taper crimp. The Bersa, being fairly heavy, eats these like popcorn with hardly any recoil while giving decent accuracy.

  8. #8
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    Last edited by Three-Fifty-Seven; 04-28-2020 at 10:20 AM.
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  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    I am using the lee TL 356-95 RF powder coated and sized to .357 in my Ruger LCP 2ond model. Some of the headstamps in mixed brass will not take a .357 sized boolit and still chamber. I load them with plated bullets and shoot them where I will loose them. the lee works well in the LCP.
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  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    OUTPOST 75, I can't help wondering if you could get greater velocity with that projectile if you tried a slower-burning propellant. I don't have any data at my fingertips, but I'd be surprised if a modest charge of Unique wouldn't give you a noticeable boost in muzzle velocity, which may help insure better expansion.

    I don't want to tread on anyone's sacred load (I don't like it when it happens to me), so I make this observation with some hesitation. If you use 2.5/Bull'sEye/114LHP because it is comfortable (I'd expect it to be), and always hits where you intend it, then never mind. I just hate to see you forego another 100 f/s (or the better part of that) muzzle velocity if you don't really have to.

    I haven't spent nearly as much time reloading blow-back pistol cartridges as I have the more powerful ones. What experience I have had suggests that there is a threshold velocity for each projectile, which changes the extent of bullet expansion none "none" to "LOTSA". Though the LCP might be more of a handful with slightly higher velocity, it might still be manageable AND give you expansion with such a projectile. Just thinking out loud...

    Your thumbnails suggest a very thoughtful work-up of the bullet-cartridge combination. I wouldn't have expected 2400 to work in such a diminutive case, but there's no arguing with the results.
    Last edited by Kosh75287; 09-17-2017 at 07:43 AM.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kosh75287 View Post
    OUTPOST 75, I can't help wondering if you could greater velocity with that projectile if you tried a slower-burning propellant. I don't have any data at my fingertips, but I'd be surprised if a modest charge of Unique wouldn't give you a noticeable boost in muzzle velocity.
    I have higher velocity loads with Alliant #2400 and Olin AutoComp which approach 1000 fps in my SIG P230 and Beretta 1935, but I don't use them in the LCP. The cast load in the LCP is for practice only and I carry it with the Remington 102-grain Golden Saber Ultimate Defense Short-Barrel load.

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  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    Hey thanks guys! Great info!

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