Loads for .380

[Star1pup]

I bought a Kel-Tec 3AT .380 for CCW and would like to reload so I can practice more.  I think a 95 gr. bullet is about right for this little gun as it kicks pretty good with a 115 gr.  I have to use lead bullets in our club's indoor range and have not been able to find any factory lead in a 95 gr.

Been searching for load recipes and havn't found much for the .380.  Any suggestions?

[stimpylu32]

Star1pup

Here is a link that may help .

http://stevespages.com/355p_3_95.html

[vonfatman]

Here's a load that works in my:

Kel-Tec P3-AT
Walther PPKS
CZ-83
Llama .380 (older gun-50+/- yrs--Looks like mini 1911)

95gr. Rainier RN
3 gr. Win-231
Win Primer
Mixed Brass
OAL: .974
FPS: 830

I have had zero issues of any kind with this load...
It's comfortable to shoot and VERY accurate in the above
mentioned guns...a great range load.

Please take time to check this or any loads against
your manuals.

Good luck.

Bob

[Robert357]

I have a KelTec P3 AT and have given up on purchasing factory loaded jacketed .380 Auto ammo with the national ammo shortage.  Luckily, I have several boxes of JHP ammo of various flavors in .380.  However, after visiting a bunch of gunshows, a bunch of local stores, and looking a a bunch of internet sites that I purchase ammo and reloding components from, there seems to be a shortage of loaded .380 and jacketed bullets for reloading.

I just ordered 500 cast lead bullets for the .380 Auto and wanted some suggestions on a good practice range round.  I use 3.1 grains of Titegroup with Remington 88 grain JHP bullets that I hand load and 3.1 grains for the JHP 90 grain Hornady bullets I load.

I can't seem to find anything for Titegroup for 95 grain bullets and was hoping some folks might share their thoughts.  In many books they suggest that lead seals better and so a lead bullet should have a lower poweder amount all things being equal.

I have seen a couple references to 2.6 grains of Titegroup for a 95 grain cast lead bullet and that appears reasonable, but was hoping someone might have a suggestion for a 95 grain cast lead bullet using Titegroup powder

[blpenn66502]

if you have to shoot lead, you need to get the Lyman Reloading Manual.

Buffalo Bore makes a 100gr lead 380 acp - tried some today, whole lot more omph than the Federal 90 Hydra-shocks I was testing as well but way to pricey at over $1/round for a lot of shooting.

Lyman 49th Ed has cast data for their 90 gr and 120 gr.  Looks like W231 is the best fit with cast for highest velocities but not highest pressures.

Robert357's loads are above what Lyman shows for Titegroup but within Hodgdon on-line reloading data. Lyman shows Titegroup w/ 90gr cast, 2.4 gr is starting and 2.7gr is max.

Standard disclaimers apply...

[Robert357]

Thanks.  I have two of the Lyman cast bullet manuals and the Lyman 47th edition, but none of them list Titegroup.  I guess I need to get a newer Lyman reloading manual!  The reason I want to use Titegroup is I have an 8 pound and a couple of 1 pound containers of it and I use if for most other handgun calibers I reload, except when I want magnum power and then I go for Alliant 2400.

If 2.4 to 2.7 is appropriate for 90 grain cast lead, then I think I will start a little lower than 2.6 grains as a heavier bullet should have less powder.  I will probably start at 2.4 grains and then work up looking for signs of over pressure.

Thanks again.