Casting for the 380 ACP

[Josh]

It's $40-45 for dies and $80-120 for a mould , though presumptuous on my part you probably have the rest of the stuff to load it . So you're in the first round you load about 5 trips to the range with factory ammo running 30-40 per box on the shelf . I don't shoot the 380s much . The example available is a point and click deal and at 100' a skinny guy has about a 75% chance of a clean miss if he turns side ways .

With that said why wouldn't you load for 380 it's just and extension 357 , 38 , 9mm .

I'm figuring about $150 for enough brass, dies and a mould. I'm really more inclined to not because of sorting issues with my 9mm. It is nice to have cheap and available ammunition though, if I had one of the three components listed above, it would be an easier choice.

I'm thinking I should just bite the bullet and grab the necessary things to load it up.

 

[Josh]

I like the lee 105grswc bullet and the lee 120gr tc in my lcp.

What kind of load are you running with the 120 gr? I've got that weight mould and would consider using it if possible.

 

[Tomme boy]

SW Auto pistol. it was either 2.7gr or 3grs. I am not at the loading bench to look.

 

[Michael]

If you are loading a 9mm to save pennies, then why not a 380 as well, you're half way there. Same primers, same powder for the most part, for that matter most other standard pistol/revolver rounds within reason i.e. 38 Spl, 9mm, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 44 Spl. Generally 380 ammo costs more and availability can be hit and miss, load for it and that should no longer be an issue. A quick peek a Midsouth, and you would spend approx $80 for Lee dies, mold, and shell holder and another 140 for primers and powder, $30 for brass. Into it for $250, much less if you have powder and primers on hand. Ammo will run at least $20/box on a good day in bulk. 13 boxes of factory and you are even. Plus which are you more likely to shoot, your stuff with cast at, $10-ish a box or less, or factory at $20. A 50% savings is pretty standard and very conservative.

I think if the question in the OP was "Talk me out of loading and casting for the 380" the response could very well be:

 

[PED1945]

If you are not already reloading, it is probably simpler to just buy factory ammo. Casting your own bullets is another skillset entirely.

A few years ago I bought a Walther PK380 as an excuse to reload for the 380. Also got a Lee TL356-95 RF mold. Have been reloading 32 ACP, 9mm Luger and 45 ACP for a long time so the learning curve was short. I reload 380 primarily for the range and the occasional tin can.

 

[richhodg66]

Several years ago, got a couple of .380s from Dad, didn't interest me much, but #2 son wanted to shoot them, so I got set of Lee dies and a six cavity mold of their tumble lubed bullet for it and about 1k of brass. To this day, I think I have done one loading sesion for .380, maybe 100 rounds. Just see no use for them. If I'm gonna carry a pistol for self defense, I want something I can hurt somoen with and the pistols aren't accurate/shootable enough for any kind of field use. Worth reloading for? Probably not, bit I won't have a gun around I can't make ammo for if I want to. Didn't cost much and i already had most of the stuff I needed.

 

[RBHarter]

I'm all about the hunt . 22 LR is a waste of space but with rat shot it's sure handy for a 4' snake in the laundry room.

My preferred field pistol is a 7.5" 1025 fps MV 255 gr SWC BlackHawk but it's not really discreet for going to the store like an LCP for example.

The right tool is the one you will carry 1st and shoot well as a very close second.

 

[Rick H]

I have loaded 380 for years, mostly for inexpensive practice ammo. I own an OMC Backup (predecessor to AMT) and my brother's everyday carry gun, a Taurus 738 (?). I cast NOE 90+ gr RN, Lee 102 RN, and the RanchDog 95 gr. FP. All function well, are reasonably accurate and a hell of a lot cheaper than factory. It wasn't pleasant to shoot but I could keep all shots on a piece of 8.5x11" typing paper at 25 yds with my OMC.

The only powder I have used with them is WW 231. I have chrono'd my FP load at just a tad under 1000fps out of the short barrel of my gun. I have never shot anything but paper with it. My brother did battle with a 40lb.+ plus angry Raccoon in his barn and swears the 95gr FP is a decisive stopper.

I don't like the 380acp. I purchased mine for backup because it was literally the same size as most 25 autos at that time. If you think the 380 is anemic, well the alternatives in pistols of that size and weight were pathetic. Many of the guys in my outfit were carrying High Standard 22mag derringers for the same purpose. Today there are subcompact 9mm's that are the same size even lighter than my OMC. I would hold my nose and purchase one of those before a 380. Fortunately I have no need to carry a backup piece these days.

 

[richhodg66]

For small and concealable, I am in the .38 Special snub nose camp. The little Taurus is only a five shot, but +P capable and is small and light. We could argue for days, I'm sure, but to me, it's a much better option.

 

[Glaciers]

Used to have a 380 Colt Mustang, nice little gun, but…. Did shoot a couple of Grouse with it, but I sold it to a friend along time ago. Just not for me. Did have a little Ruger single action, no and no.
I’m with Rich you don’t have to chase brass with a wheel gun. I carry a Lady Smith 357/38 in a Mika pocket holster. Around the homestead I carry a Ruger SP101 3” stuffed with Remington 158 sp, no hp’s for me I want penetration. Pretty much thinking 4 legs and claws, but should work for 2 legged critters as well.

 

[Josh]

I'll take 11 rounds of anemic 380 in a real "pocket sized" handgun over any other "pocket gun". Eleven rounds of super controllable 380 is better than 6 rounds of 9mm from a harder to shoot handgun.

Either way, I've decided to continue down the rabbit hole for reloading the cartridge, I'll pick up dies and a mould soon, probably a 2 cav from Accurate. There was a design mentioned earlier that really looks good. Knowing that I'll be PCing them, and knowing the 380 likes single base high nitro powders, I'm thinking about a gas check option to separate the powder from powder coat.

 

[Glaciers]

Not disparaging the 380 just my preference.

I don’t blame you Josh, it’s that my mileage is different. Semi auto’s just don’t work for me until you get into the full size pistols, then I still prefer the wheel gun. Just what I’ve used all my life.

 

[richhodg66]

Personally, i'd think five fight stoppers verses 11 love taps is a better option. Most gun fights are won or lost on the first or second round.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

While I don’t currently own a pistol chambered in 380 Auto, I certainly have enough time in grade with the 380 Auto to speak about it.

I completely agree with everything stated by CZ93x62 in post #13. Penetration is far more important than expansion (which you are unlikely to achieve). If you are going to handload and cast your own, I think the truncated cone profile, with a bullet weight around 95 grains and driven as fast as you can safely get away with is the way to go. The European loadings are closer to what that round should be.

Buffalo Bore advertises some impressive numbers for their offerings. I think I would have to verify those numbers for myself over a chronograph with my own pistol before I quoted them. But that may be an option for a factory loading.

Whatever load you end up with, the absolute controlling criteria is the load needs to be 100% reliable in your pistol – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Your practice load should be the exact same bullet as your carry load, but the practice load can be dialed down slightly to save the pistol from excessive wear.

Back before small, locked breach, DA 9mm pistols were available, I spent a lot of time training with .380 Auto pistols. The guns can be accurate and reliable with the right load. Reliability is everything in those platforms. Do not carry a load that isn’t 100% reliable.

 

[Josh]

Personally, i'd think five fight stoppers verses 11 love taps is a better option. Most gun fights are won or lost on the first or second round.

Considering a hit percentage of 70% I'd still rather have the 11. Choices are up to the individual, but, 11 you carry every day is more than the 6-8 sitting at home.

 

[KeithB]

I saw an ad the other day advertising 9mm ball ammo for 14.99 and .380 ball ammo for 24.99. It actually makes more sense economically to reload .380 instead of 9mm. Not going to get into which is best for any purpose, just comparing the cost of practice ammo.

 

[richhodg66]

Well, mine doesn't sit at home, in fact it's on me now.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

You can buy 1000 rounds of 95 gr FMJ .380 Auto for less than $400.
Not saying that's the way to go but it's good information.

 

[richhodg66]

Makes perfect sense, I just always feel like I'm cheating shooting anything I didn't handload.

 

[Glaciers]

Makes perfect sense, I just always feel like I'm cheating shooting anything I didn't handload.

Actually that’s a mental disorder I have as well.
And Josh is right in my mind, I would want to have the capability to reload any cartridge that I own. I just will stay away from the 380 because of my personal preference of not wanting the platform.