handgun reloading

[Rangersniper175]

I guy recommended Power Pistol when I was looking for a powder for the 45ACP using Hornady 185gr JHP-XTP ran loads with 8.8gr Power Pistol and really love this powder for that works great.

[deadman03]

Originally Posted by 22plinker

What is the difference, between a 100grain 380 and a 100 grain 9mm? I mostly shoot 9mm & would like to reload. I also shoot 380 & wondered if I got dies for both calibers, is there any actual difference in the bullet. They do measure (midrometer) the same diameter. Comments and suggestions appreciated...

im not absolutly sure but they should be the same bullet. looking in my midway book some compants list them seperate others list them all under 9mm.
if im not mistaken then any bullet the same diameter will work, its just you have to avoid bullets to light or to heavy.

[454PB]

The .380 and 9mm use the same bullet diameter.....usually .355" in jacketed. Most handloaders use the lighter bullets in .380, and heavier bullets in 9mm. The 100 grainers will work in your 9mm, but push them too hard and they become explosive on impact.

My favorite full power, factory load duplication powder for 9mm is HS-6.

[SL11]

I am not sure what makes of bullets you are talkng about, but there MAY be some differences for you to consider between 9mm and .380 bullets. One is the nose shape. The 9mm style has a longer nose (part less than full caliber) that makes it hard to seat well in other cases in order to keep the cartridge length at the proper value. [My experience is with the 9mm and 357 Sig, not the .380, but there are different bullet shapes for those two.]

Another difference may be the internal construction of the bullet. The .380 can produce less velocity than the 9mm or 357 Sig, so it may have bullets with thinner jackets or deeper hollow-points designed specifically for it. Even if you don't intend to shoot the bullets at anything but paper, remember that the deeper hollow points tend to make the bullets longer.

Either factor can make different lengths for the same weight bullets of different designs. For small cases like the .380, seating two same-weight bullets to the same overall cartridge length can make a BIG difference in peak pressure if the bullets are different lengths.

So, be very careful when substituting bullets in your cartridges that are different from the bullets in the load data that you are using.

SL11

[DWARREN123]

Use carbide dies and a good clean powder. It is usually a lot easier to reload straight wall pistol cases.