Another 380 test loading

[kmw1954]

Once again a big thanks to the member that provided these sample bullets to test. These are from a Lee TL 356-95-RF and have been powder coated. They are weighing at right about 96gr. and are sized to .356".. So for from this generous bunch I have found 2 that are undersize at .350", is this something that is common?

So far I have 20 loaded with AA#2 @ 2.8gr. and an OAL of .930" and will have 20 loaded with HP-38 @ 2.8gr. and OAL of .930".

I started my OAL length at .950" and slowly pushed them down to this .930".. They will now plunk easily in and out of the S&W EZ barrel but now and then there are a few that hang up a bit in the Witness Pavona barrel. Really looking forward to shooting these!

[muffinman]

Any results yet?

[Camper64]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?385418-1st-firings-of-cast-380

[kmw1954]

Sorry folks but no new results as of yet. Just haven't been able to get back out to the range as of yet. Had a slight medical setback a few weeks ago and now I just hat to take the Highlander in with a frozen brake. So I'm hoping to get out either this weekend or the beginning of next week.

I do have 2 loads of this 95-RF to test along with 2 loads of some 102-R1 with the 2.8gr AA#2 and HP-38 and one more load of the 102-R1 with 2.5gr of AA#2.

I am so optimistic with these from the results I had with the 1 test that I have been watching the auctions but it might be just as easy to buy new from Titan Reloading. Along with looking for a source of lead.

I will post a report on these just as soon as I get to shoot them.

[jcren]

Try cfe pistol for mild recoiling punch in 380. Load for 5 380's so far, and cfe is by far my favorite powder (so far). That lee 95 @ a bit over 900 chrono'd (phone died and lost my last results) in a taurus tcp and crowding 1100 in a pk380. Recoil so mild I checked the pk380 for a squib after the first shot, then looked at the chrono...1057. The gun was freshly cleaned and velocity came up a bit for the rest of the mag.

[kmw1954]

thanks jcren for the suggestion. Right now I have a good supply of AA#2, HP-38 and Ramshot Silhouette so it's going to be awhile before I need powder again.

That 356-102-1R loaded with 2.8gr of AA#2 I have to tell you, I could shoot that load all day long and not get fatigued. That was thru our S&W EZ380. I didn't get a chance to try it in the Witness Pavona as I thought I left the mag on the reloading bench but it was hiding in plain sight in the bag.

[kmw1954]

Range Report;

Two guns used were a Witness Pavona 380 and a S&W 380EZ.

Bullets and loads were these;

Lee 356-95-RF Powder coated, Loaded with 2.8gr of both AA#2 and HP-38
unknown 95gr R2 with 2.8gr AA#2
Lee 356-102-R1 2.8gr AA#2 and 2.8gr HP-38

Of all the rounds fired the Lee 95-RF was the least impressive. Though it did seem to shoot a bit better in the S&W than it did in the Pavona. Though both shot high.

The best over-all was the 102-R1 with the HP-38 fired thru the S&W.

Didn't have a lot of the unknown mold to shoot this time so it may not be a fair comparison to the others but it did shoot about the same from both guns and was acceptable performance.

So if I base a mold purchase from these results I truly believe I have to go with the Lee 356-102