I want to reload some .380 for my Beretta 84fs, is their any reason not to load hardcast bullets? I can't decide between 95 grain or 100 grain and what bullet profile. I was looking at rimrock 100 grain FP but I believe they also have a RN, I have also looked at Berry's plated bullets. The powder I have on hand is Bullseye, and Unique, my other powders are for magnum and rifle loads.
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.380 Bullet suggestions please.
- Thread starter Dirtbag
- Start date
You may need to get toward full power to operate the gun reliably. These days I would look at the companies turning out powder coated bullets so you can run them warmer without leading. There are lots out there, but here's one source (bottom of page 4 if the wrong page comes up).
FrankenMauser
New member
My go-to for .380 Auto is the Berry's 100 gr HBRN (hollow base).
I spent a lot of time fighting a finicky .380, and that ended up being the solution. Since that .380 has been gone, the load that I developed with that bullet has proven to run in everything else I throw it at.
I spent a lot of time fighting a finicky .380, and that ended up being the solution. Since that .380 has been gone, the load that I developed with that bullet has proven to run in everything else I throw it at.
I've had great luck with Xtreme 100 grain RNFP copper plated bullets in my Glock 42
I've used them in a couple of Sig P238s and a 84F, with good results, too. I put 3.4 grains of Unique behind them and load them to 0.970 OAL. They tick right along just fine.
Unclenick, Thanks for the link to MO Bullet co!You may need to get toward full power to operate the gun reliably. These days I would look at the companies turning out powder coated bullets so you can run them warmer without leading. There are lots out there, but here's one source (bottom of page 4 if the wrong page comes up).
reloader28
New member
If your going to shoot cast in that gun you need to slug the barrel. I bet you need .357 diameter at least. We use .358 in 10 different ones and have zero issues. Min or max load work perfect.
FrankenMauser
New member
A good suggestion, reloader28; but I'd say it would be a good idea to slug it, regardless of bullet choice.
The aforementioned 'finicky' .380 that I fought with ended up having a .358" x .359" (oval) barrel at the chamber and muzzle ends, but was even larger in the middle -- somewhere beyond .360". (Manufactured that way -- not a bulge from 'Bubba'.)
Even though all of the armchair quarterbacks 'knew' the thick skirt of the Berry's 100 gr HBRN wouldn't expand to seal the bore in that barrel, and I had my own doubts about it, it turned out to work perfectly.
With jacketed bullets, it was plainly evident that bullets were skipping across the middle of the bore when fired. But with the 100 gr HBRNs, they made contact the whole way through. The skirt 'rode' the walls, maintained a good seal, and improved accuracy greatly.
The aforementioned 'finicky' .380 that I fought with ended up having a .358" x .359" (oval) barrel at the chamber and muzzle ends, but was even larger in the middle -- somewhere beyond .360". (Manufactured that way -- not a bulge from 'Bubba'.)
Even though all of the armchair quarterbacks 'knew' the thick skirt of the Berry's 100 gr HBRN wouldn't expand to seal the bore in that barrel, and I had my own doubts about it, it turned out to work perfectly.
With jacketed bullets, it was plainly evident that bullets were skipping across the middle of the bore when fired. But with the 100 gr HBRNs, they made contact the whole way through. The skirt 'rode' the walls, maintained a good seal, and improved accuracy greatly.
dirtbag, I will be starting to reload 380 shortly as I have just finally acquired one. So I have been researching bullets and powder for this. Will most likely be going with either Berry's or Extreme as I get them locally thru Cabela's or with ACME Bullet here in Wisconsin, they also offer coated bullets at a nice price. Just leaves powder.
Also over at Cast Boolits. com they've been using a 105gr TC lead that they say works nicely. The one thing I have read there is to stay away from the tumble lube models if you are going to cast.
Will be interested to find what's working for you as my gun has a 3.6" barrel.
Also over at Cast Boolits. com they've been using a 105gr TC lead that they say works nicely. The one thing I have read there is to stay away from the tumble lube models if you are going to cast.
Will be interested to find what's working for you as my gun has a 3.6" barrel.
I have used the rim rock round nose 95 grain and xtreme 100 grain in my wifes lc380 with zero feed problems .As for ejection problems ( do not use unique) even at top loads we had numerous problems with the gun, switched to power pistol and 300+ rounds later no malfunctions. Rim rocks have a brindle hardness beginning at 12 so 800 fps lead bullet shouldn't cause leading.
I ended up buying some Berrys 100 Grain RNHB plated bullets from Cabelas, I loaded them up going by Hornady's 9th edition book, using their data for 100 grain Jacketed bullet. I have shot about 75 so far with no issues. The book calls for a COL of .980 but today I made up a dummy round to see what COL would work best for my pistol, I found I was able to increase the COL to .998 and it certainly tightened up my groups running mid-range loads at about 7 yards. I think im just going to stick with these bullets as Im only looking for a good plinker and it seems to fit the bill.
I'm about ready myself to start with the 380 as right now I have 130 empty cases already cleaned.
I use Berry's in my 9mm and like them and get them for a good price. For the 380 I've been looking at using either the 100gr Berry's or the 100gr Extreme as I can get both at the local Cabela's. Will probably pick up powder at the same time as I'm getting low and will most likely be going with some form of Western/Accurate as they seem to provide the greatest amount of load data for the different plated bullets.
I use Berry's in my 9mm and like them and get them for a good price. For the 380 I've been looking at using either the 100gr Berry's or the 100gr Extreme as I can get both at the local Cabela's. Will probably pick up powder at the same time as I'm getting low and will most likely be going with some form of Western/Accurate as they seem to provide the greatest amount of load data for the different plated bullets.