[Airweight38]

I've been flirting with the idea of (at some point down the road) getting a compact .380 for CCH. I've heard .380 ammo is more expensive than 9mm. Since I already reload 9mm (and have proven that it saves money), I'm considering reloading .380s as well. But I'm curious: has anyone else done this? Is it practical? The things are so darn small...

I've been collecting .380 brass at the range for some time now, so I think that's going to be covered, which should help... my main concern is that given how finicky 9mms are about tolerances (some recipes show starting loads and never exceeds as the same), is it a lot worse to reload .380s?

[big boomer]

loading 380's is just like loading 9mm you can't tell the difference. It just takes less powder.

[gandog56]

Why would anybody even OWN a .380?

[SwedeSteve]

.380 is easy to load, if your'e already doing 9mm.

[benzuncle]

As already attested to, 380ACP is as easy to load as other calibers. But because it uses a smaller charge you must be careful to keep your charge where you want it. There's less room for error when charging 2.9gr as opposed to 5.2gr in a 45ACP. But if you have been loading and haven't blown yourself up, you already know how to do that.
I bought a NAA Guardian 380 as my first concealed carry firearm because of its size. It nestles nicely in my front pocket inside a DeSantis Nemesis. That coupled with 102gr Remington Golden Sabers is what I use when I can't carry one of my 45's. I load and shoot 380 for the same reason I load and shoot 45ACP: cuz I want to and cuz I can. Shoot what you want to; load what you can. Good Luck.

[paparoach429]

you wont really notice a size difference in the two calibers.. i would definitally reload for it since it is at least 25% more money than 9mm.. ive been flirting with the same idea since i want to get a bersa thunder 380.

[Blackrock]

I bought a Bersa Thunder .380 for my daughter and have her shoot about 100 rnds per month to try to keep proficient. I too have been thinking about reloading for it as well. I can still get cheap ammo for around $16 per box of 50 but I have been thinking about loading the Hornady 90g HP-XTP bullet and see how it works.

Any powder recomendations???

[sc928porsche]

On 380 and 25ACP is use bullseye.

[fred]

My stubby fingers find the 2 mm shorter case of the .380 harder to handle tham the 9x19, and I sure can tell the difference in handling but loading them is virtually the same.

[bltefft]

I reload for .380, even put 115 gr in them. No problems, but think I stay with the 95 - 100 gr bullets. Got to see what Berry's has

Hack

[mosquitofish]

In my Beretta .380 it like load close to max. the closer the better it shoots.

[rondog]

Yep, I pick up every .380 case I can find, and have bought several thousand of them too. I just load 'em for plinking and target shooting. If I wanted to carry it, I'd buy some hot commercial ammo.

[Brampton Mike]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Airweight38

I've been flirting with the idea of (at some point down the road) getting a compact .380 for CCH. I've heard .380 ammo is more expensive than 9mm. Since I already reload 9mm (and have proven that it saves money), I'm considering reloading .380s as well. But I'm curious: has anyone else done this? Is it practical? The things are so darn small... I've been collecting .380 brass at the range for some time now, so I think that's going to be covered, which should help... my main concern is that given how finicky 9mms are about tolerances (some recipes show starting loads and never exceeds as the same), is it a lot worse to reload .380s?

I did for years before I got out of handguns...Canadian laws suck so i sold my toys before they were all banned....i have a set of Lyman 380 dies for sale if you are interested.

[BenchRest]

I’ve had no problems reloading .380. Been using 100 grain round nose but have gone as high as 124.

[charley]

loading the 380 is like loading any other pistol bullet,
I use titegroup bullseye win 231 they all work great

[miker557]

I have reloaded 380, it's a little more tedious than doing 9mm due to the shorter case - it's easier to set the bullet wrong. Of course, I have huge hands, which is the excuse I'm using today ......

I will say, loading 380 was not nearly as difficult as loading 25 ACP, which I did once just to prove it could be done. Lessee, minimum load with a 50 grain bullet is 1.3 grains of Unique, maximum is 1.4 .......

[KW Gary M]

I just shot 100 .380's this past weekend that I loaded. Really no different than 9MM. Same width as the 9MM. I used Bullseye and it worked great. If you find a good source for .380 cast bullets stock up. I had a hard time finding anyone who had them in stock. Light weight 9MM bullets will work fine in a .380 though.

[DocAitch]

I reload for my Beretta 84 in .380 and I like Titegroup. I don't plan on CCW , it is almost impossible here in the "Freestate", but if I did I would use commercial ammo. Like benzuncle, "I load 'em cuz I like to and I can"
I just read an article on reloading the .380 in one of the gunzines. The point was made that bullets larger than 102 gr. began to take up too much space in the case because of the COL limitations and the author did not think it a safe practice.
If you are loading for a pistol that does not limit your COL then I guess that you might be OK with a bullet heavier than 102 gr., but most of the popular CCW pistols won't function with too long a COL.
Regards,
DocAitch