sizing for .380acp [Archive]

meshugunner

11-19-2013, 03:22 PM

I'm reloading for my LCP. 2.6gn Bullseye with Ranch Dog 95gn RF.

I've been loading the bullets unsized, they are .358+. They shoot great but a bit hotter than I expected. Absolutely no leading and as accurate as I can shoot with that little gun. At 2.9gns the primers were flattening and the pistol started shooting really low. 2.5gns gave me 700 fps but I haven't had a chance to run the 2.6gns load over the chronograph. Also I found that the bullets had to be seated at .96", which is less than the specified max, so that they would slide freely in the mags.

Yesterday I got a squib stuck in the barrel. I tapped it out and miked it at .355. The round shoots great and the primers don't look stressed. I don't want to abuse the barrel. I'm wondering if I should size the bullets down to .356 or just call it good?

fecmech

11-19-2013, 04:29 PM

My LCP had a .357 groove and I sized .358. That said I wouldn't worry about stressing your barrel. I practice with 3.2 Bullseye for about 800 fps and carry 3.6 for 900 fps which was RD's max for that bullet. I have a Keltec with a .355 groove and it gets fed the same ammo.(Essentially the same gun!)

meshugunner

11-19-2013, 05:04 PM

Thanks, fechmech. That's exactly what I wanted to know. Can I ask what bullet you are using and what OAL? The manuals give such widely varying ranges for powder loads on similar bullets that some barely overlap. My "95gn" is actually 100gn+ with WW alloy.

fecmech

11-19-2013, 10:21 PM

Thanks, fechmech. That's exactly what I wanted to know. Can I ask what bullet you are using and what OAL?
I'm using the Ranch dog 100 gr RF that casts at 105 grs for me at .924 OAL. He lists 3.6/BE for 909 fps at 17100 psi.. I get 892 fps out of my Keltec with that load.

bobthenailer

11-20-2013, 08:44 AM

In my 2 -380s a old OMC backup and a Kel tek i use cast boolets sized @.357 dia

Keyston44

11-20-2013, 09:13 AM

I use the Lee 102gr RN sized to 356 with 3.0 gr of AA#2 with a COL of .960 for my Taurus 738.

Key

Ed_Shot

11-20-2013, 09:28 AM

I use Lyman 356242 (90 gr.) sized .358 over Unique 3.4 gr. Shoots great in both Bersa 380 and Colt Mustang. No hint of leading.