.380ACP bullet question…reloading.

[Beltfed]

I am getting into loading .380’s on both my Dillon’s and Rock Chuckers.  Find the lighter bullets, 85 to 90 grains, with a .355 diameter are impossible to find.  I purchased 500ea. 100 grain .356” that are RNHB (round nose hollow base).  They came from Midsouth.  Anyone shot these as I find no data for the hollow base in 100 grain.  Does loading data for 100 grain flat base apply?

Thanks, Bob

[RED333]

I know it’s just one thousandth of an inch, but does it make the case bulge?

[leroy]

If the .356 is a lead or plated bullet, it should be ok.  As I remember, I loaded some hard cast .356 bullets ( 95 grain I'ma thinkin ) with 3.8 grains of Unique for my Sig 238.  Have shot bunches of em.  IWhen in doubt, I would just buy 380, ya can find it for under 40 cents per round at the usual spots 

Good luck.

leroy

[Beltfed]

Berry’s are plated as I understand it.   Loaded up around thirty of two different powders, middle of the road pressure wise, to test.  I am using flat base data.  Just don’t  want to destroy a pistol.  No bulge with .356.

Will soon be moving on to a Beretta pico in .380.  They suggest a stout load for it as the recoil spring is the strongest I’ve seen in one of the small pistols.  
Thanks, Bob

[leroy]

Bob..

I'ma thinkin my bullets were coated lead flat base.  I have shot em out of the 238 up to 4 grains of Unique. 

I wouldn't worry pressure wise with the Browning lock up type pistolas.  I would load em back a bit ( say 3.8 or so ) for a blow back pistola.

Have fun

leroy.

[gregintenn]

A hollow base bullet if the same weight should give slightly lower pressures than a comparable flat base bullet of similar construction and shape, as the t would yield a slightly larger combustion chamber. However, in order to make weight, the hollow base bullet should be slightly longer, so it would have a larger bearing surface in the bore, so I expect these two factors would pretty much cancel each other out, however minuscule they were to begin with.

That’s a fancy way of saying use the data you have and enjoy!

[Jamie Jackson]

I've used the Berry's before with no problem in a .380 Shield.

I have been using Hoosier's Hi-Tek coated bullets in 9mm and .38/.357 a lot for the past couple of years.

Hoosier's has some 95 gr. .380 bullets at .355" listed currently.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their bullets. Quality made, fast shipping, and just good folks.

https://hoosierbullets.com/380-caliber-95-grain-round-nose/

 

[Beltfed]

I have a bunch of the coated lead bullets in 9mm which I have never used.  Question is: do they lead the barrel?  Both my .380’s have cut rifling not that button rifling that I don’t care for.

[leroy]

Belted...

The coated bullets will not lead your barrel.   They are clean.

leroy.. 

[Beltfed]

Thanks Leroy.  I can look for coated .355 coated.  Mr. Jackson posted one such site above.

[tgtmasterchuck]

The “bulge” mentioned above reminds me of an issue I ran into years ago. Some of the mixed range brass I picked up would produce a bulge in the case when using heavier bullets. I discovered that the cases in question had a ledge inside the case. I assume the manufacturer had the ledge to prevent bullet set-back under recoil. I separated that brand from my heavy 100 gr. Load and the issue went away. It my not be an issue with lighter bullets.