Whats highest gr in my 380 pistol?

[gunoil]

Seems i remember someone telling me they shot 122gr in their 380. What would be a higher gr bullet to shoot in lil' 380 "as a light powder plinking load"..???

[Bzcraig]

Going any bigger and you'll be filling too much of the case with boolit. I would go the opposite direction using a 93gr boolit and minimum powder charges as long as the gun functions. Light boolits and powder charges make for hours of shooting pleasure. My thoughts are if I'm just plinking, I want to save money too.

[fcvan]

I've seen some loads for .380 ACP using 120 grain boolits. I haven't tried them because my Lee 356-120 TC drops at 125. I'm sure they would be fine in my FEG PA-63 (Walther PP clone) but would be too much in my Tarus TCP 738 which weighs half as much.

The heaviest I've shot is the Lee 358-105 SWC. Mine weighs 108 when cast from range scrap. My standard load is the Lee 356-102 1R (105 cast from RS) over 3 grains of Bullseye. If I want to shoot a heavier boolit I shoot 9mm. I have a Taurus PT 709 Slim which is about the same size and weight as the PA-63 but is a locked breach action vs the blowback.

I would think the pistol you are shooting would be a major factor in deciding how heavy you would want to shoot. The TCP 738 at 10 ounces can't compare to the Beretta 85 at 22 ounces when it comes to taming recoil. What are you shooting?

[MaryB]

I was wondering that too. I have a 120 grain mold that I would like to use for my 380. Right now casting for my 9mm. 380 is brand new, haven't fired it yet even. Finally found a box of ammo today so next time I get near the gun dealers range I will break it in.

[Bzcraig]

The OP was asking about a larger than 122gr Boolit for his 380, not about recoil.

[texassako]

You did not say which pistol you would be shooting, and not all of them are blowback. I shoot a blowback Walther with a lighter recoil spring and 3 different ~100-110gr boolits for a "light powder plinking load". It needed a lighter spring to get consistent ejection at the lighter load levels. I would rather switch the spring than try to cram a big boolit in the case and end up swaging it down or bulging a bunch of cases. Less lead and less powder.