Mold for 380 ACP

[melw]

I have been looking for the last day or so for a 380 mold. I only find 90 to 102 Gr round nose. Can any one tell me if there is any others to choose from?
Thanks!
Mel W.

[TDB9901]

You might look at the Lee 105 SWC. for .38-.357 A lot of guys say it works great in their 9mm's
and I have sure liked it in everything I have ever tried it in, although I have not tried it in a 380.

Tom

[dragonrider]

Just the other day I got the Lee 356-102-1R for my 380 Browning. Cleaned it up and cast a few for measuring. So far I'm happy with it dropping at 358-359. Haven't loaded any yet perhaps this weekend will cast a couple hundred to get started. This mold is not offered in a 6 cavity, bummer.

[Mallard57]

I have the 9mm RCBS 124 gr CN mold and some time back I loaded some up for the wife's SIG P230. I used the same weight bullet data for the round nose bullet in the RCBS Cast Bullet Book. It shot very well, it also shoots great in my 9mm and 357 pistols. That being said I would like to have a mold around 100 grs. for the little darling also.
Jeff

[Bret4207]

Any 9mm design will work. My issue was I wanted something around 85 gr in a slight FN or TC and never found one that I liked. If you get something above 115 gr or so you're going outside most published loading data.

[melw]

Thanks for the info. I would like somthing at 80 to 90 gr as well. I was looking at a boolit caled the rattler I think. But the shipping from the manufactuer was way to high. I guess they have not herd of the USPS flat rate.:roll:
I am still looking.
Mel W.

[Cherokee]

I have an NEI mold that casts a nice 102 gr TC that works great in my 380's.

[FISH4BUGS]

I have a Hensley & Gibbs 10 cavity S55 100 gr plain base mould that turns out TONS of bullets each casting session. Other than being a bit slow in coming up to temperature (there is a lot of steel to heat up), it is a wonderful mould. If you ever can get one, I would say do it. Try to get a smaller mould than 10 cavities, for they are HEAVY.
I shoot them in a MAC M11A1 380 submachinegun using 231 powder.....a wonderful little bullet hose. It is more fun than a human being should be allowed to have!

[Dale53]

Fish4bugs;
If you put that H&G 10 cavity mould on a hotplate while your lead pot is heating up (I set mine on medium) it'll be ready to go right "out of the box".

Dale53

[FISH4BUGS]

Dale: While I don't have a hotplate, I DO have a gas stove in the kitchen. I am toying with the idea of heating it up on the burner very slowly before using it. The only thing I worry about is that it might warp the mould or harm it in some way. This is not a mould you see every day. In fact, it is the ONLY S55 H&G mould I have ever seen.....much less with 10 cavitites.....it would break my heart to accidentally harm this mould in any way. I use it a lot for my MAC 380 subgun.

[Dale53]

FISH4BUGS;
I would not put the mould on direct flame. Just put a piece of sheet steel or a piece of aluminum sheet on the burner then rest the mould on that. Keep the heat at a medium level. There is no danger of warping a mould if you use modest heat.

You can buy a hot plate at Wal-Mart for $20.00 or so. I prefer the kind with the solid burner, not a Calrod burner. It will be useful in the loading room for various things (heat a can of soup or a cup of coffee, etc keeping in mind the precautions about eating around bullet casting...).

Dale53