.380 ACP Data?

[jdgabbard]

Anyone have some data for the 358-105-SWC and the .380acp? I have Bullseye and Unique. I don't figure it would like my stash of 2400, so lets hear what you guys have with those two.

[JIMinPHX]

I use 3-grains of Bullseye under the 105 with good results.

[jdgabbard]

Jim, did you get that from a manual? Or did you just work it up?

The reason why I ask is it seems a bit high to me. I know the Lyman manual shows the 120g 358242 at 1.6 - 2.1g of bullseye. And the 90g version at 2.4 - 3.0. Seems like it might be over max. Just curious.

[BCall]

I've been using 2.6 gr of Titegroup. Lee manual lists 100gr jacketed bullet at 3.3 max with Bullseye, 3.0 gr Titegroup as max, so I am using a starting load of 2.6. Haven't checked velocity, but cycles fine and shoots great when sized to .357 in my gun, no signs of pressure. Cycles softer than factory ammo, brass doesn't fly as far. Billy

[jdgabbard]

Billy, any chance that I can get you to scan a copy of that page from the Lee Manual?

Btw, how are those handles working out of for you?

[JIMinPHX]

Now that you mention it, I'm not sure how I came up with that load. I've been using it for so long that I don't remember what book info I based it off of originally. Normally, I'm a very by-the-book kind of guy. I don't try to hot rod cartridges past their pressure limits.

When I go back into my books now, this is what I find -
CUP based data:
Lyman - 92gr boolit 3.0gr Bullseye max 915fps @ 16,000cup
Speer #11 115gr J-bullet 3.2 gr Bullseye max @ 949fps
Speer #11 industry max pressure = 18,900cup

PSI based data:
Lee 100-gr J-bullet 3.3gr max Bullseye @ 20,100psi & 985fps
Lee 100-gr J-bullet 4.3gr max Unique @ 19,500psi & 1005fps
Speer #13 SAAMI max pressure = 21,500psi.

Data with unpublished pressure rating:
Hornady #5 100gr J-bullet 3.1 gr Bullseye max @ 900ish fps
Cartridges Of The World 95 fmj 3.2gr Bullseye 900fps
Cartridges Of The World 95 fmj 3.7gr Unique 900fps

The 3-grain charge of Bullseye was something that I originally worked up for the 102 grain Lee round nose. It gave me just a shade under 900fps out of a PPK & noticeably less felt recoil than most factory hardball ammo. Accuracy was very good. After using that load for longer than I can remember, I then just switched to the 105-gr swc with no difference noticed. I use the same load in a 9 x 18 mak. I use it in a lite .38 Special plinking load & I even use it for a lite plinking load in a 9 x 19 Luger cartridge. I leave my automatic powder measure set at 3-gr of Bullseye permanently because I use it in so many places. It's my one size fits all lite pistol charge that I started off using in the .380, which is why I just rattled it off of the top of my head in the first post.

Thank you for checking up on me. Better safe than sorry.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

2.9 grains of TG with the boolit lubed with Lars Red lube shoots very accurate in my Ruger LCP and gives me about the same recoil as FMJ factory ammo.

Dave

[mtgrs737]

For a practice load I use 2.7 grs. of Bullseye under that boolit. I have shot 3.0 grs of BE but that seems to be more than needed for reliable functioning in the 380 ACP.

[Calehedron]

I also use 3.0gr of Bullseye on anything from 90 to 105gr. Its just easy for me to remember. It is within all published data I have seen and works well in the Bersa.

[jdgabbard]

Calehedron, thats what I'll be shootin' it in. A Bersa Thunder. I'll have to give the 3.0g of BE a try in it then. I'll adjust it for accuracy and felt recoil after I see how it performs.