I accidentally bought a .380 Now I need mold suggestions

[Hanzy4200]

I have actively resisted owning any guns in .380 acp for years. It's not that I dislike the caliber, but I have no need to add another caliber to the pile. Nearly all the cool historical handguns chambered in .380, were also made in .32 acp, of which I load a ton. So I see a FN Model 1922 on Gunbroker about to sell CHEAP. It's in decent shape, and Nazi marked from WW2. With only a few minutes left, I quickly bid. I just assumed it was a .32 acp. Nope. .380. Got it shipped for $325, which I feel is a deal.

So what mold do you guys prefer? I have 115, 124, and 147 gr 9MM molds, but the internet says over 100 is no good. I don't plan to shoot this gun much, so a Lee mold might cut it. Then again, now that I broke the seal, I will probably have 5 more .380's by next year.

[Hanzy4200]

Here's the pistol in question, for those interested

[Walks]

Like you I load a lot of .32ACP for my Savage 1907 & Walther PP.

My Dad however liked the .380 in a FN 1910 & Colt 1903/8. He used the Lyman #356242 in the 90gr version w/bullseye.

[redhawk0]

My 380 loves the LEE 356-102-2R mold. Never a failure to cycle...so far.

[EDIT] - and...that's a sweet looking pistol you got there.

redhawk

[Oyeboten]

I won a Gee Bee auction a while back for what Seller said was an FN '22 in .380, it arrived, and was in .32, Lol...

Well, it was a very nice one, so who cares, I am happy with it!...so...time passes and I finally got an FN '22 in .380, and so I also am meditating now about Molds, and Loadings so as to have fun with it..so I will follow this thread and see what all everyone else is doing with .380 and Cast..!

[Curly James]

Somehow we now have three 380 handguns in my house. The Lee mold, cast from range lead, Powder coated and sized. 356 on top of 2.8 grain of WW 231 works like a dream in the LCP, Kahr CW 380 and the Glock 42.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

That's a very nice looking pistol, Hanzy4200. I resisted .380 ACP for lots of years, but eventually went for a Beretta M1934. After that they just seemed to show up, and last count there were 6.

[country gent]

While I dont cast for 380 acp I do load for it both cast and copper plated. I use the Oregon trial 100 grn round nose cast and Rainer 100 grn RN copper plated. These I load to duplicate the zero of the rem golden saber 102 grn load ( my carry load in 380). Its very accurate in both my sig 238 and Walther ppks.

I played around with 380 and tuning for accuracy work and it was a very accurate combination. I have played with the idea of building a 1911 in 380 and with a 6" barrel for a few years now.

One thing to watch for with the heavy bullets in the 380 case is the inner taper will get you at some point, The bullets sit deeper into the case where the walls thicken creating a bulge that may cause chambering problems. Most 380 ammo is with 80-90 grn bullets. The short case length coupled with longer bullets may create a small problem

[Hanzy4200]

Like you I load a lot of .32ACP for my Savage 1907 & Walther PP.

My Dad however liked the .380 in a FN 1910 & Colt 1903/8. He used the Lyman #356242 in the 90gr version w/bullseye.

Sounds like a good plinking load. I have a '07 Savage also. Love that little thing. Such a unique design. I am eyeing a wartime marked PP at the moment. I love mouse guns, and I love WW2 history, so when the two meet I can't help myself. Really hunting a Mauser 1914 .32 that has the Kriegsmarine stamping. Those little suckers are salty!

[StuBach]

I have an original Colt Government 380 and a S&W Bodyguard 380 and both are quite fond of this mold from Miha.


https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-358-93-hp-pb/

Bonus, he has one in stock and it’s 20% off.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200408/a5fd942cbded35891cba0e5fa32c3082.jpg

[Barr]

Define cheap? Under $300?

Most .380 autos love a good 90-100 grain bullet. I usually run a plated bullet due to the low volume I shoot.

[Winger Ed.]

Years ago I cast a 90gr. 2 cavity RCBS for .380.

It did well in handguns, and never had a problem in a suppressed Mac 11.

[GARD72977]

I bought the RCBS 90 g RN. My girlfriend's Browning 380 is very accurate with them. I use Hitek coating and size to .356

[Ed_Shot]

I load .380 ACP for a Bersa and a Colt Mustang. The Lee 356-102-1R and Lyman 356242 (90 gr) work great. I size to .358.

[Mk42gunner]

No idea on the molds, I haven't ventured that far with my .380's yet.

However, .380 pistols may be the most prolific caliber in captivity. Mine seem to multiply faster than .22 rifles.

Robert

[jcren]

Lee 95 grain rf, hands down. Seat it shorter than you think and it will run like butter in all of my 380's, from tcp to hi-point carbine. Powder coated and over a medium charge of CFE Pistol is very accurate (consistent 8" standing groups from 40 yards with a Bersa thunder, back when I was playing with that gun a lot) and that flat nose is plumb lethal.

[gwpercle]

I load the Lee 358 - 105 - SWC
Even though it says SWC it's more a truncated cone and feeds well in my brothers 380 acp and 4 different 9mm Lugers . Good accuracy with this boolit in all when sized .357 .
I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this one in semi-auto's .
Gary

[kmw1954]

I have a few in 380 and started my loading with 100gr plated Xtreme and am now casting the Lee 356-102-R1 because it casts well and shoots great. I also tried the Lyman 356242 and the Lee 356-95-FP which the 92gr. 242 bullet was a bit more accurate than the 95gr FP.

I have a bunch of the Lee 356-102-R1 sitting on my bench right now and and as was offered to me by a member if you like I could send you some to try loading. I will have to lube and size them first but the offer is there as a pay it forward.

[Rcmaveric]

I use the Lee 356 102 aswell. It works very well in my wife's 380

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[Land Owner]

I did a quick Interweb search for the 6 cavity, aluminum, Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF, which my pair of 380 ACP Walther PPK digest with reliable precision. This specific mold isn't made anymore, of which I am aware, but others have posted that there are similar molds - StuBach's link looks promising and similar.

https://i.postimg.cc/gJVr7Hnk/Ranch_Dog_TL358-100-RF.jpg

[Hanzy4200]

I have an original Colt Government 380 and a S&W Bodyguard 380 and both are quite fond of this mold from Miha.


https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-358-93-hp-pb/

Bonus, he has one in stock and it’s 20% off.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200408/a5fd942cbded35891cba0e5fa32c3082.jpg

I've never ventured into HP molds. As I never plan to use it for any sort of defensive use, I think I will stick to RN. I need to try one on these out though. Maybe in .357 or .44

[Gamsek]

I have an original Colt Government 380 and a S&W Bodyguard 380 and both are quite fond of this mold from Miha.


https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-358-93-hp-pb/

Bonus, he has one in stock and it’s 20% off.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200408/a5fd942cbded35891cba0e5fa32c3082.jpg

Just got the same one for my .380. 95grs with soft alloy. First cast. Cute little 9mm
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200409/80d84f7b379c8e7f0dfc63a7cdd5d302.jpg

[Land Owner]

Oooohhhhh. Whose brass mold is that? NICE! Whose handles?

[Gamsek]

Oooohhhhh. Whose brass mold is that? NICE! Whose handles?

Cramer style MP 358-93, uses Lee handles or MP handles. I just got it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200409/e2381f5596e74c75ebfe623d62ce1620.jpg

[markmars]

I have cast a lot of 9 MM with Lee Molds I'm going to start casting .380 I have the 102 grain I picked up at a gun show.

I like using the Lee Alox it worked great for 9 MM.

[kmw1954]

Not to hijack this thread but have to also ask. Gamsek does that mold have two different posts? one for HP and one for FP?

[Gamsek]

Not to hijack this thread but have to also ask. Gamsek does that mold have two different posts? one for HP and one for FP?

You have 4 pins for HP and 4 blank pins to make FP/solid and actually you can mix and cast 2 HP,2 FP.
So it’s actually 2 moulds in one. I have many MP brass moulds, some with 2,3 and even 4 different pins (FP, small HP, deep HP, penta HP, cup HP..)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200409/64feaa0acce19ae733be9974b51e31e1.jpg

[Thin Man]

I am completely sold on the Lee 358-105-SWC for any and every .380 pistol I wish to shoot. I size my cast boolits at .358 in a Lyman 450 and seat them with a very small amount of the forward shoulder exposed outside the mouth of the case. I suppose one could tumble lube them if desired. In over 20 years of firing these boolits through various .380's I have never had a cycling malfunction with these boolits, not the first. Reliability means a lot to me so I am staying where I have found it.

[Texas by God]

I had an FN 1922 in 32 Auto and it was as accurate as my friends Ruger 22 Target models. I have only owned one 380, a Sig 938 that didn't shoot well enough to suit me so I sold it for profit within a week. I would most definitely grab one like you did for that price, though. I bet I could get used to that cartridge in that gun. And I would use the Lee105 swc as well.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[joebaja]

The MP mold is all gone. I just bought the last one. I like my Lee 95 rf a lot for the 380 and for plinking loads in the 9mm, but it just won't feed in one of my 9s. This one looks more like a TC profile, so I am hoping that is the ticket. Either way, looking forward to running HPs in CZ83

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Lee TL356-95-RF. Comes in 6-cavity. I just roll mine around in some melted Johnson's Paste Was and let 'em dry. Don't size. Shoot fine and zero leading at .380 ACP. Seems to be most accurate, and feeds in almost everything tried.

[Boolseye]

I did a quick Interweb search for the 6 cavity, aluminum, Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF, which my pair of 380 ACP Walther PPK digest with reliable precision. This specific mold isn't made anymore, of which I am aware, but others have posted that there are similar molds - StuBach's link looks promising and similar.

https://i.postimg.cc/gJVr7Hnk/Ranch_Dog_TL358-100-RF.jpg

The Lee TL356-95 RF is much the same boolit, I have the six-cav and they drop at .357” and shoot well in my tcp. Stick with 100 gr. and under for .380 acp. Lee 356-102 2R (RN) is also great for the .380.


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[StuBach]

The MP mold is all gone. I just bought the last one. I like my Lee 95 rf a lot for the 380 and for plinking loads in the 9mm, but it just won't feed in one of my 9s. This one looks more like a TC profile, so I am hoping that is the ticket. Either way, looking forward to running HPs in CZ83

Enjoy it. That was my first foray into Miha’s works of art and it for sure wasn’t my last. Being my most seasoned brass mold now it drops super easy and very nice bullets.

Hanzy, you may do a WTB post to see if anyone else on here has a 380/9mm mold their looking to sell?

[Gamsek]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200410/c25abe1b67567754fc042757ca580d7b.plist
MP 358-93, feed and chambers great. Haven’t shoot it yet.

[floydboy]

Couple months ago got the wife a Kimber Micro Rosewood 380ACP. 2 3/4" barrel. Beautiful little pistol that she just loves. Bought a Lyman 358242 that drops a 92 grain boolit. Size to .357. Wasn't the easiest thing to get to shoot accurately AND reliably at the same time. Finally settled on 2.4 grs of bullseye as accuracy load. Forgot amount but settled on Unique as a self defense load. Unique wasn't as accurate but got decent accuracy more velocity and still mild recoil.

Good luck, hope you enjoy your little pistol. Floyd

[reloader28]

I did a quick Interweb search for the 6 cavity, aluminum, Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF, which my pair of 380 ACP Walther PPK digest with reliable precision. This specific mold isn't made anymore, of which I am aware, but others have posted that there are similar molds - StuBach's link looks promising and similar.

https://i.postimg.cc/gJVr7Hnk/Ranch_Dog_TL358-100-RF.jpg

I love 380's
We have 6 .380s with plans of another plus I'm casting and loading for about 12 altogether and I use the ranch dog mold.
It works, shoots decent in everything and with the big meplat is a usable bullet with great penetration with 3gr Bullseye.
Lee started selling this after Ranch Dog stopped
Mine are all sized 358

[StuBach]

I love 380's
We have 6 .380s with plans of another plus I'm casting and loading for about 12 altogether and I use the ranch dog mold.
It works, shoots decent in everything and with the big meplat is a usable bullet with great penetration with 3gr Bullseye.
Lee started selling this after Ranch Dog stopped
Mine are all sized 358

I know NOE also makes a lot of Ranch Dog molds do I looked and they have some of those available as well in a couple of different configurations. Al does good work and has top notch customer service.


https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/355-9mm/tl358-100-rf-be2

The RG4 configuration also offers hollow point if your interested.

[Boolseye]

I love 380's
We have 6 .380s with plans of another plus I'm casting and loading for about 12 altogether and I use the ranch dog mold.
It works, shoots decent in everything and with the big meplat is a usable bullet with great penetration with 3gr Bullseye.
Lee started selling this after Ranch Dog stopped
Mine are all sized 358

What’s your favorite? Currently my only .380 is a Taurus TCP.


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[reloader28]

I kinda prefer the Walthers. My brother has a Glock something that is really nice but my wife is really wanting one of those Smith and Wesson EZ. Browning makes a mini 1911 that is super sweet

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I got this mold while Ranch Dog was still selling. Really like it. I just lube by swirling them in melted Johnson's wax, let them dry, load and shoot.

[cwlongshot]

Lee 95 grain rf, hands down. Seat it shorter than you think and it will run like butter in all of my 380's, from tcp to hi-point carbine. Powder coated and over a medium charge of CFE Pistol is very accurate (consistent 8" standing groups from 40 yards with a Bersa thunder, back when I was playing with that gun a lot) and that flat nose is plumb lethal.

My suggestion as well. Only I choose 231 powder worked up to the max safely & hit 1050fps !!! But decided not to "push things" and 1/10 less yields almost 950& good accuracy.

CW

[Daekar]

I don't have any recommendations, but I would like to express my appreciation for the title of this thread and for the man who can so gracefully roll with the little accidents in life.

I hope you have many fun moments with both the 32s and the 380s!

[Jack Stanley]

May you be blessed with many more such "accidents"

Jack

[William Yanda]

Great thread. Like the OP I resisted purchase of a 380. However, SWMBO is convinced that it is the correct caliber for her. I choose to select my battles and believing this is one I could only win at a prohibitive cost, disengaged. After all, it could also be described as 9mm Kurz, and has ballistic characteristics similar to Hickock's revolver. I am not about to argue his caliber choice was wrong. And besides, I can load those boolets in my 9mm and save lead.
My mistake was in not buying 380 ammo when I saw it on the shelf, and the die set in the case at the same LGS. When I returned 2 weeks later both were gone.

[James Wisner]

I have a model 1910 in 380.
The two cast bullets I shoot thru it are the Lyman 356242, a Round Nose, in 95 gr
And the Lyman 358632, a Truncated Flat nose in 100 gr.

Enjoy the 1922 you got.

J Wisner

[jimb16]

I have 4 .380s. I like bullets between 90 and 105 grs. My guns are 3 colts, Gov, mustang and pony, and an Erma "baby Luger". All are accurate and will happily eat anything in that weight range. None of them exhibit feeding problems with any conical or RN design and normally feed SWCs without any hiccups either. I used to have an EAA .380 and that one eat just about anything as well. .380s don't seem to be fussy about ammo with a few rare exceptions. I've tried bullets as heavy as 115 grains, but haven't been happy with the results. They have to be seated pretty deep to fit the mags so charges have to be reduced quite a bit. The resulting velocities are a bit too low for my liking. Accuracy with the heavy bullets also leaves a bit to be desired.