.380 Mould suggestion

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11-08-2023, 05:54 PM
primerhead

.380 Mould suggestion

Hello Friends:

Have a Walther PD380 on order and want to get setup to cast
for the new pistol.

Please suggest your favorite .380 mould.

Thanks
primerhead
11-08-2023, 07:41 PM
Misery-Whip

Lee 95 grain round flat.
11-08-2023, 07:55 PM
atr

I once owned a Llama .380 modeled after the 1911 and I used a 125 gr cast, flat base no gas check. Really worked well.
There were no published loads for that slug so I worked up one myself...carefully. I remember I used Bullseye for the powder.
The suggestion for a 95 gr slug is probably more sane and I am sure there is published data for that slug.
11-08-2023, 08:54 PM
Winger Ed.

Back in my .380 days, the 90 gr. Lyman RN did a good job for me.
I used it in a buddy's Colt Mustang and a Class III MAC 11. No problems.
11-08-2023, 09:35 PM
P Flados

I made a 85 gr WFN that I wanted to use for 380.

Feeding was terrible.

I now use the Lee 102 RN and get much better feeding.

These guns were generally designed around the RN profile. Getting anything else to work will be just good luck.
11-08-2023, 10:01 PM
sigep1764

Ditto the Lee 95. Powder coat and 2.3 grains of 231
11-09-2023, 02:53 AM
Wheelgun

The Lyman 356404 if you can find one.
Arsenal Molds 358-100TC looks like a pretty close copy
11-09-2023, 04:30 AM
muskeg13

The Lee 38-105-SWC mentioned often on this website could be an option. It's what I use in a Ruger LCP and a FEG/KBI SMC-380. You should slug your bore, because I can load the Ruger LCP with slugs sized .358, but the SMC-380 (PPK clone) need them sized to .356.
11-09-2023, 06:24 AM
Land Owner

6-cav Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF - unavailable
or
4-cav NOE TL358-100-RF-BE2 - unavailable
or
2-cav Lee TL356-95-RF - affordable and available
11-09-2023, 07:56 AM
Ed_Shot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winger Ed.

Back in my .380 days, the 90 gr. Lyman RN did a good job for me.
I used it in a buddy's Colt Mustang and a Class III MAC 11. No problems.

+1 for the Lyman 356242 (90 gr)
11-09-2023, 08:56 AM
lotech

I got rid of all .380s some years ago but had a Makarov and several PPK/s. In my notes, it shows a 93 gr. RCBS round nose design as best, closely followed by a Lyman 100 grain flat nose. If you like a heavy bullet, the 122 grain SAECO flat nose was a good one. As I recall, all the bullets functioned well through my guns. I tested at 25 yards. I tried a variety of powders including Bullseye, 231, Unique, Blue Dot, and Herco. 231 was easily the best powder for accuracy and velocities were decent as well.
11-09-2023, 09:01 AM
georgerkahn

Quote:

Originally Posted by primerhead

Hello Friends:

Have a Walther PD380 on order and want to get setup to cast
for the new pistol.

Please suggest your favorite .380 mould.

Thanks
primerhead

My two favourites are the 356-632 .380ACP 100 gr. 2-cavity mould (RNFP) (#402 top punch) made by Lyman; and, the 359-92-RN .380 Auto 2 cavity PB Brass (359242) made by Night Owl Enterprises (NOE). The Lyman feeds in my .380s pretty well -- 'cept for an old Ceska Zbrojovca Model 24 made in Czechoslovakia in 1936 with which it sometimes doesn't always feed. The NOE mould -- a brass beauty :) -- feeds well in all, with nary ever a problem.
Both are -- imho -- great .380 moulds, and shooting the NOE through my Sig P230 provides almost scary-good target performance!
11-09-2023, 09:05 AM
Finster101

I use the Lee 358-105 SWC runs great in the wife's 380 EZ. A very versatile boolit to have on hand for 9mm and .38s as well.
11-09-2023, 10:20 AM
ioon44

I would check out Accurate molds , always a good selection of bullets.
11-09-2023, 10:34 AM
skeet1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winger Ed.

Back in my .380 days, the 90 gr. Lyman RN did a good job for me.
I used it in a buddy's Colt Mustang and a Class III MAC 11. No problems.

I also used this mold with my PPK, worked very well. Also, a friend had a PP that it worked well in.
Ken
11-09-2023, 04:02 PM
jdgabbard

Personal favorite is the Lyman 358242 92gr variant. A close second is the 105gr Lee SWC. But I've been wanting to buy a Lee 102gr RN, and would if they offered it in 6-cavity. Basically I want a six cavity Lyman 358242 92gr. But nobody offers one. The closes you can get is the NOE copy, but it can only be had in a 4cav for about $120. Maybe Mihec can turn one out one day in his 6cav brass molds. That would be awesome.
11-09-2023, 06:35 PM
GONRA

Waaaaaaay back GONRA gotta Lyman/IDEAL U 358242 Special
(pulled up milliing cherry so only ONE lube groove! !!)
for all my .380 ACP reloading. Verks Great ! !!
11-09-2023, 07:03 PM
gwpercle

Quote:

Originally Posted by muskeg13

The Lee 38-105-SWC mentioned often on this website could be an option. It's what I use in a Ruger LCP and a FEG/KBI SMC-380. You should slug your bore, because I can load the Ruger LCP with slugs sized .358, but the SMC-380 (PPK clone) need them sized to .356.

:goodpost:
Good boolit for 380 ( I even use it in light recoiling 9mm Luger reloads)
Mould say's SWC but design is more like Truncated Cone and feeds very well .
I size mine .357" for 380 auto & 9mm Luger .
It's a winner !
Gary
11-09-2023, 10:06 PM
Blkpwdrbuff

Try the MP 358-93 HP PB.
It's a 4 cavity mold with all the pins, and right now Miha has 15 in stock for $116.85.
I use it in my cheapo Hi-Point and my wife's Walther PK 380.
The other one, if you can find one is Lyman's 2660632. It's a truncated cone 100 gr. plain base.
Both my guns love it.
Blkpwdrbuff
11-10-2023, 03:11 AM
Gamsek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blkpwdrbuff

Try the MP 358-93 HP PB.
It's a 4 cavity mold with all the pins, and right now Miha has 15 in stock for $116.85.
I use it in my cheapo Hi-Point and my wife's Walther PK 380.
The other one, if you can find one is Lyman's 2660632. It's a truncated cone 100 gr. plain base.
Both my guns love it.
Blkpwdrbuff

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b58b821aef.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dc81c34205.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f386e170c4.jpg
Yes MP 358-93 is great!
11-10-2023, 03:34 AM
poppy42

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotech

I got rid of all .380s some years ago but had a Makarov and several PPK/s. In my notes, it shows a 93 gr. RCBS round nose design as best, closely followed by a Lyman 100 grain flat nose. If you like a heavy bullet, the 122 grain SAECO flat nose was a good one. As I recall, all the bullets functioned well through my guns. I tested at 25 yards. I tried a variety of powders including Bullseye, 231, Unique, Blue Dot, and Herco. 231 was easily the best powder for accuracy and velocities were decent as well.

Was your Makarov.380 or 9x18? In my experience, .356 boolets are to small for 9x18 and .365 is to big for .380. At least that’s the results I’ve found. I shoot a lot of 9x18.
11-10-2023, 08:38 AM
lotech

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppy42

Was your Makarov.380 or 9x18? In my experience, .356 boolets are to small for 9x18 and .365 is to big for .380. At least that’s the results I’ve found. I shoot a lot of 9x18.

It was a .380. I sized bullets to .356". Accurate, just as in the PPK/Ss.
11-10-2023, 10:38 AM
WRideout

I have settled on the 95 gr Lee over 2.5 gr Promo (Red Dot clone) for my 380 FEG Walther knockoff. I also tried the Lee 102 gr round nose, but didn't see any appreciable advantage. They both cycled fine. Boolits heavier than those may require very deep seating to fit magazines in most 380s.

Wayne
11-10-2023, 06:35 PM
Bigslug

Quote:

Originally Posted by Land Owner

6-cav Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF - unavailable
or
4-cav NOE TL358-100-RF-BE2 - unavailable
or
2-cav Lee TL356-95-RF - affordable and available

Accurate Molds 35-098R - basically the same mold that can be cut to specified diameter with preferred alloy, and quickly delivered once ordered.

I'm using the NOE version from an older run. It is VERY similar in profile to Winchester's Q4206 flat point FMJ which is my preferred thing in these lower power rounds where expansion would render penetration insufficient. Have confirmed it to run smoothly in Old Colts and FN's, 1980's PPK, Glock 42, and Ruger LCP.
11-10-2023, 07:58 PM
cwlongshot

I have two. As suggested the lil 95 g LEE IS A DANDY!!

But I like HP so the MP 356-95 is my first pic. Cast about 10:1 it expands nicely.

CW
11-10-2023, 08:56 PM
Kosh75287

Quote:

Originally Posted by atr

I once owned a Llama .380 modeled after the 1911 and I used a 125 gr cast, flat base no gas check. Really worked well.
There were no published loads for that slug so I worked up one myself...carefully. I remember I used Bullseye for the powder.
The suggestion for a 95 gr slug is probably more sane and I am sure there is published data for that slug.

In a 1971-vintage Lyman reloading manual, there was data for a 115 gr. bevel-based projectile with which velocities approaching 900 f/s were obtained. While I agree that 95 - 100 gr. is a "more sensible" weight range, I do not think that 125 gr. is as outrageous as it may seem.
I. too, tried to ruin a locking breach Llama .380 by hot-loading it, and had best results with 115 gr. cast bullets and Unique or Herco.
From the LEE line-up of bullets, my first choice would be the 358-105-SWC, IF it can well and truly be sized appropriately and made to feel reliably. If either of these conditons cannot be met, then my choice would be the TL-356-95-RF.
While any propellant will work "OKAY" in .380, I've found that (now) Alliant Unique, or Herco, or Accurate AA#5 will tend to give best velocities, if at the expense of considerable muzzle flash. BE-86 is very similar to Unique in terms of reloading data, and reduces muzzle flash somewhat.
11-16-2023, 05:19 AM
paul edward

I have had good results using the Lee TL356-95 in a PK380. From my mold these weigh 97 grains and work well over 4.4 grains of Power Pistol.
11-16-2023, 12:49 PM
rintinglen

I have a ranch dog precursor to the Lee TL356-95 but lately I have been using an Accurate 35-100L, a ~100 grain TC that casts like a dream. I only wish I had ordered a 4 cavity. The various RN molds all work well, but the Lee 6 cavity 102 grain is cheaper and works just as good as any other.