cast in 380

[siamese4570]

Just got a ruger lcp. started looking at reloading stuff and noticed that almost nobody (midsouth, midway, grafs) has any bullets. I'm thinking about casting for my practice boolits. Anybody done this? If so, did you slug your barrel and what dia do you size at? What mold do you use?

Siamese4570

[dualsport]

I'm just getting ready to start reloading .380s. I'm waiting for my 10 day waiting period to end so I can get my gun, a Firestorm .380. I looked at the Ruger, but it was too small for me, I'm not going to carry it. I'm starting off with the Lee 125 gr .358. I'm going to try shooting them as cast first. This is my first 6 cavity mold, hope to be able to use it in a 9mm and .38 Sp. also. I did get an email from Midway saying they had .380 brass in stock now.

[Combat Diver]

I got a Lyman single cavity 358242 92gr LRN mold that I got during a trade. I and my youngest son have done some casting with it for his CZ83. This is what we learned casting with. Biggest problem is that the CZ really slings the empty cases. I usually set a trap down in the back yard to catch the cases. Last few times I've reloaded was with small charges of Unique, WSP and these bullets.

CD

[Bret4207]

I have a FN 90 NEI I got from a member here. It works fine, feeds fine and I managed to kill 2 of the stupidest coyotes ever born with it. A similar design may work, check the GB area or our vendors.

[Curly James]

I'm feeding three LCPs with the Lee 105 grain mold. I cast, size them to .356 and then tumble lube them in a small butter tub. I prefer 2.8 grains of WW 231 and a WW SPP. One of the most important things I've found is to sort your cases carefully. This load doesn't throw my brass into the next county and has been very accurate and reliable. It's amazing what the little LCP will do with a little practice.

[Ickisrulz]

There's an article in this month's Handloader Magazine (June 2010) about reloading for small pistols including the .380.

[NickSS]

I have been loading the 380 for years with cast bullets but I never took time to buy a light weight mold. All of the bullets I have shot have either been the Lyman 120 gr RN or the Lee 120 gr TC. I have also loaded 115 and 124 gr FMJ slugs, Almost all of my ammo has been made using either Red Dot or WST powder and I get good funtion and accuracy with my Bersa and Walther PPK.