380 acp loads

[Trader Vic]

Hi Guys, I need a little help. With the strong run on the 380 with the Ruger LCP, what are your favorite loads? I will be casting using the Lee 356-102-1R mold. These would be for practice. I have Unique & Red Dot powder on hand. I also have a good supply of 115gr jacketed RN bullets, I have seen where some use these for their heavy load, being careful of the overall length & for compressed powder. I know there was a thread on this several months ago, I'm looking for updated info. Thanks NRA PATRON LIFE MEMBER

[mike in co]

i'm sorry i did not see that MILITARY RIFLE in ruger's catalog ? what page is it on ??



ok maybe ask on the proper forum ??


mike in co

[AviatorTroy]

There are some loading manuals with stuff like this in it. My preliminary glance at a few plus my hunch tells me both of those powders are too slow for that short case.

[Larry Gibson]

I use 2.5 gr of Bullseye with that bullet and the lee 358-105-SWC in the .380 ACP. Try 2 gr of Red Dot and work up to 2.5 gr. It should work fine.

Larry Gibson

[mtgrs737]

My LCP functions fine with 2.7grs. of Bullseye and the Lee .358-102 Round Nose boolit. I have loaded up to 3.0grs. of BE but find that the 2.7gr. load works so well I can't see the need for the extra powder usage. I shot 2.5grs. of BE but like the feel of the 2.7gr. load better even though the LCP was 100% functional with the lower load. The 3.0gr. load felt more like a factory load when fired. I cast of WW lead used 50/50 lube and sized them to .357" dia. and had perfect functioning without a trace of leading. Good luck!

[Ole]

3 grains of Bullseye works great for me. I have used a 100 grain RNFP commercial cast bullet, but I sized it myself to .357" down from .358".

(I bought these for another pistol before I started casting myself)

[Dframe]

I've found that Unique is too slow for the 380. I've not tried RedDot. With the cases limited capacity and normally very short barrels. I find only the fastest powders to be suitable. I limit my loading for the 380 to: Win 231, Alliant Bullseye, or Hogdon HP-38. All of them work very well for me.

[jimb16]

I use 2.5 bullseye with that weight bullet for all of my .380s. Works well.

[DistRifle]

I use 2.8 of Win 231 with the Lee 102 bullet sized 356. Functions perfectly and accurate.

[Spud]

3.7 gr. Unique in my Colt 380 Gov't. (with the same Lee boolit) A little dirty, but what-the-hey, I have 16 lbs of the stuff. Also use it in 38, 357, 45ACP, 44 Spec/Mag, 20 ga. 3/4 & 7/8th oz loads, not to mention, 30-06 lead plinkers. Works on lot's of stuff because....well, it's Unique.