Frustrating Reloads

7371 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by xsailer, Apr 25, 2014

stealthy

Discussion Starter · Sep 22, 2011

I'm having a battle figuring out what my P380 will reliably eat, including handloads. I had trouble with the factory Hornady 90 gr XTP rounds and Magtech 95 gr and a couple others with not feeding from any of 4 magazines. However, after I set the factory Magtech bullets a little deeper in the case, they performed perfectly.
I have since re-loaded another trial batch of Hornadys using their brass(checked for length) and 90 gr XTP(hollow-points) with 2.6 gr of W231, and they don't even fully eject! So do I bump up the powder amount and try again, try different bullet seating depths, or ??? I set the bullets to the OAL shown in the Lyman 49th Edition Manual for the combination.
I'm having the same problem with the same powder charge using the Winchester 95 gr FMJ(flat-nose) not ejecting, but the Remington 95 gr RN work perfectly, everything else the same for those loads which leads me to think that it's something to do with bullet profile, but what?
I polished the barrel ramp and slide guides before putting about 300 rounds thru, and kept the pistol scrupulously clean. I can't help but think that I'm missing something here, but can't for the life of me figure out what?!? Any help out there?
It's not that I'm worried about the dependability of the P380 as all the factory self-defense loads have shown to be totally dependable, but I'd like to do lots more shooting for proficiency using hand-loads.
Thanks!

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Ljutic

· #2 · Sep 23, 2011

Back when I was reloading pistol rounds, I found that I got the best results by finding ONE load that worked well in the gun. This usually involved trying a few different bullets, powders, and crimp settings until I found one combo that would work in all mixed brass. Then I would buy that powder, bullet, and primer in large quantities, lock in the loader and go for mass production. I always had good luck with Hornady bullets, but maybe that was because my local shop always had plenty on hand in 100 count boxes so I tested them often.

Now days, I only shoot factory as I don't have the time to reload. Haven't had the time since 2000.

I had an idea about your Winchester vs. Remington problem so I just checked Midway and it was correct so I'm back to update my original post. The WIN 95 grain flat nose is .355 and the REM 95 grain round nose is .356 diameter. That 1000th might not seem like much, but if you don't adjust your dies for the change they may not be as tightly crimped with the WIN, but fine with the REM.

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stealthy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 23, 2011

Thanks for the suggestion! Actually I have not been putting any crimp on my reloads, reasoning that if there aren't cannelures in the bullets then they aren't intended to be crimped?
I got out the Mitutoyo digital caliper and measured all three(Win=.355, Rem=.356, Horn=.355) bullet base diameters, indeed a slight difference between them. I will try a slight crimp on the smaller diameter bullets and see what happens. I've never before had to confront this with 40S&W or 38/357S&W loads so it's a new wrinkle to be sure, always learning.
I appreciate your interest and help.
Steve W

Ljutic

· #4 · Sep 24, 2011

The crimp you need is a taper crimp and not a roll crimp like on a revolver load with bullets that have crimping grooves. Crimps on rimmed revolver cartridges are primarily there to keep the bullets from backing out of the cases when firing. Check your dies as they should include a taper crimp and if they don't you can add another die to your set just to apply the taper crimp. Taper crimp is really important on rounds that are rimless and headspace on the case mouth, like your .380 reloads.

stealthy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 24, 2011

Thanks again!
I checked, and my RCBS 380 dies are "TC" Tapered Crimp style, so I will try some more re-loads with a slight crimp to see if that makes a difference.
It's definitely a little exasperating to find that my P380 is so picky, after having Glocks, S&Ws, Rugers and other semi-automatics gobble everything I've thrown at them without any hiccups, but obviously it's going to take more diligence on my part.
I really appreciate your insights.

Ljutic

· #6 · Sep 25, 2011

I was also surprised by how fussy some Kahr models can be. I found 3 brands of FMJ that my P380 will not eat. I also learned never try to shoot Hornady TAP .45 ammo in the CW45 or P45.

It's easy to get spoiled by Glocks, XDs, and even Bersa 380s in their ability to gobble up anything you stick in them.

VirginiaJohn

· #7 · Oct 19, 2013

Don't just pay attention to the OAL. When reloading you need to establish the functional length of your round. You do this by not using a case gauge but using the barrel of the specific gun you are loading for and perform the "drop test". Here you drop your round in the barrel making sure it goes into full battery and then turn it over to make sure it drops out cleanly. You may find that you have to make adjustments to the OAL to get the functional length.

gun papa

· #8 · Apr 21, 2014

For 95gn TMJ My Lyman book starts out ww231 loads at 3.6gr. 2.6 seems awefully light.

kahrhauler

· #9 · Apr 21, 2014

buy a cartridge gage & gage all your 380 ammo. Cart gage taught me how to make reloads, it will teach anyone.

cw is best 380 IMO

xsailer

· #10 · Apr 21, 2014

These older Threads always surprise me until I see the date but I thoroughly enjoy following thru on them. Glad to revisit them and learn.

ron54

· #11 · Apr 21, 2014

Like some of the older members here " bob " ..........................there is wisdom in those words

kahrhauler

· #12 · Apr 24, 2014

bob, lets get you reloading 380's, 550b and a cartridge gage and away ya go, u have my email and l make vids a picks for ya. Walk ya rite thru it, i'll mail ya some projectiles to start.

heres ya press: i'll donate ya a lee scoop for this blk funnel and bullets. YOU LEARN SLOW AND LOVE IT.

Press is 260+ shipping. Need this to: Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 380 ACP

Buy some s. pistol powder and 1000 s. pistol primers. You already been saving all your brass.

xsailer

· #13 · Apr 25, 2014

ron54 said:
Like some of the older members here " bob " ..........................there is wisdom in those words

How do you mean that Pilgram?? Older members or Older Old Members?

xsailer

· #14 · Apr 25, 2014

kahrhauler said:
bob, lets get you reloading 380's, 550b and a cartridge gage and away ya go, u have my email and l make vids a picks for ya. Walk ya rite thru it, i'll mail ya some projectiles to start.

heres ya press: i'll donate ya a lee scoop for this blk funnel and bullets. YOU LEARN SLOW AND LOVE IT.

Press is 260+ shipping. Need this to: Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 380 ACP

Buy some s. pistol powder and 1000 s. pistol primers. You already been saving all your brass.

Moving way to fast for me. I hardly know how to spell relauding let along invest the bucks now. Besides I've been lead to believe Dillon's was the best way to go.

ron54

· #15 · Apr 25, 2014

Don't worry bob your not "older old"........... your just old....?

xsailer

· #16 · Apr 25, 2014

Thank You?

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