New pistol!

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Shot about a hundred more rounds threw this lil booger today!
I have a very impressive load worked up with 231 thats averaged over 1025 fps three times now. This is excessively impressive knowing it acheived with less than .005 case head expansion and a 2.7" barrel. I have dropped that charge .5 and enjoy a 950 fps average with lower es numbers.

Shot allot today @ 21' for accuracy. They trigger is good for what it is its inconstant. I need to look into this probably rough surfaces or a few burrs.

I noticed some consistent skuff marks on the brass. I found a rought ejection port edge and two very sharp corners in the slide. I polished a d stoned the areas and altho I still see the spots, they are FAR less damaging to the brass.

I bought something I never thought Id own.... a LEE bulge buster! :(
As I was building loads, I started 3.5g working up .2 10s over. As the pressures here are so low normal "watches" dont occur. So I looked at case heads and @ 4.0g I re sized and cases slid right into a case gauge. But @ 4.1 it needed persuasion and @ 4.2 even a SB 223 die wouldn't allow them to slide in that gauge freely. PLUS the fact that this is a small light pistol and Id rather not wear a part of the slide... So just as book says 4.0 is a max and for safetys sake only small diet if those will see use. 3.9 will be my load.

The BB is just easier then using a Small Base sizer as its not made for such a case shape. (But works wonderfully. Unlike the 9mm, The 380 case could, conceivably be cut from a 223 case.)

View attachment 22591

I posted another video to my Utube channel. But I cannot post a link. Link to my channel is in my Signature.
CW
I have also got this figured!! It was largely me. I shot this stacking the trigger. Well its small and simply cause the low shots. Yes the gun still shoots low, but not this low it prints right under the front sight out @ 30'.


I am REALLY REALLY lovin this lil thing!!! Those are 1.5" pasters BTW. :oops::);)

CW
 
Last edited:

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
94 grains @ 1000 FPS is honking right along for a 380. That expansion is CLASSIC. That load might do to ride the river with.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
94 grains @ 1000 FPS is honking right along for a 380. That expansion is CLASSIC. That load might do to ride the river with.
My lil LEE 95/RF (WFN) is same weight but better profile (IMHO) The HP is impressive for sure, but many wont choose a HP as the caliber generally is just or not quite making FBI Minimums. The LEE bullet is averaging 1034 fps.
My next step fir me is ballistics gel. I see that sales are a few times a year and buy one get one for a 113$ block. So roughly 55$ ea. (Ya pretty much NEED two blocks. Im interested to see that LEE would channel.

CW
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I got to test my power Pistol loads the other day. And working up from about a mid load past maximum. Proved the powder is much more stable than 231. 231 was very abrupt to go from a good load to a two hot load. Basing on case head expansion. Power Pistol on the other hand is much more forgiving and shows no pressure signs even 4 5/10 above maximum. Velocities have been on par with 231. At the maximum load of power Pistol I'm about 850 to 860 ft./s. Progressing up 4/10 of a grain netted me 960 average velocity with the MP 93HP bullet.
cases are not swelled even as much as the maximum load of 231. I'm sitting these bullets as long as I can to function properly. So I am longer than recommended in the manuals. Reducing my pressures somewhat. This is a lock breach gun but probably not overly strong so it will not digest a steady diet of these heavier loads. I just wanted to see if I could average 1000 ft./s with a safe load and I achieve that. CW
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I would be quite content with 900 FPS from a 95-100 grain bullet in any 380 ACP I might happen onto.

You are quite correct about WW-231/HP-38 getting squirrely at higher pressures, but it has behaved itself in 9 x 18 Makarov to 1100 FPS. Thicker case heads in what is likely 9mm Luger brass trimmed back .040" might help in that regard; Starline brass is identical in case weight to my trimmed R-P 9mm Luger brass I made originally for the pistol c. 1992. 380 ACP and 9 x 18 Makarov are ENTIRELY apples and oranges in all respects. People compare the two frequently, but that is not good practice.