Loading 115 grain FMJ Winchester bullets in 380 Auto case. Any experience?

T

TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
Hi,

Since I have lying around a couple of 100 Winchester 115 grain FMJ bullets.
Has anyone experience with reloading this load?

Bullet: factory FMJ 115 grain Winchester hollow base
Case: 380 Auto

For defensive ammo to use in an Beretta Pico 380 acp (or any CC 380 acp mouse pistols).
Which powder load of VV N330 is to use with this bullet for an high power round?
 
I am not nearly an expert here, but all my experience with my 2 .380 pistols tells me 115gr is more weight than I'd like in that small pistol. My grandson likes the .380 Bersa because he is recoil sensitive (I need to work on him :D). The largest bullet I've used or in the ammo I've purchased is 100gr and even that seemed more than needed.

I just loaded some 100 and 95 gr lead bullets and they were fine. 115 I don't think I'd try. I have (right now) 88gr HP Remington bullets loaded up for SD use should I need to just quickly grab something to go anyplace where I feel comfortable - quick trip to someplace reasonably safe, etc.

Good luck.
 
I just wanted to use the 115 grain FMJ since with 9mm and all other calibers I use now lead cast bullets (Lee molds).

Would you then recommend the 102 grain cast Lee lead Round Nose bullet over the 115 grain FMJ?
What powder Charge in about?
 
There's unverified 115 grain jacketed data on Handloads.com. Uses Win 231 and Unique.
Nothing using VV N330 though. No .380 data on Vihtavuori's site at all.
Use 100 grain cast data for a 102 grain cast. Two grain won't matter.
 
The Winchester 9mm 115 grain FMJ hollow base bullets measure an Diameter (at base) of .355". Some may go up to .356".
Will this be still safe to be shot in the 380 acp?

Lyman 48th Reloaders handbook states for 380 Auto

115 grain Jacketed Hollow Point
231 powder (I guess it is Winchester WC 231)
Min 2.0 grain 664 fps
Max 3.1 grain 934 fps Pressure 15300 CUP

This the closest powder to VV N330 they list. 231 is actually a quicker burning powder so I may be able to put more VV N330 in for the same pressures.

I assume 21000 PSI is the max pressure for 380 Auto but this 15300 CUP does not reach it nearly Close.
 
In my S&W 380 Bodyguard, I've had good success with Winchester 115 gr JHP's (0.355" dia.) and Win 231 powder. Grouping ran 3/4" for 5 shots from 8 yards, using a Weaver stance. I used Federal brass and primers, 2.6 grains of Win 231 was the load and I seated the bullets to 0.975" overall length. Great accuracy for a little gun, but velocity is so low that no expansion can be expected...I didn't chrono the loads but estimate them at ~700 fps.

In my gun, I have to be near the top of the Win 231 charge weights just to make 800 fps and that's with 95 gr bullets. 115's are just too heavy for that caliber. I don't have any experience with Vitivouri powders, however.

As always, YMMV, & while this load appeared to be safe in my gun, yours may be different. If you want to give it a try, consult a GOOD loading manual, consider the pressure implications and take precautions.

Best Regards, Rod
 
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I just wanted to use the 115 grain FMJ since with 9mm and all other calibers I use now lead cast bullets (Lee molds).

Would you then recommend the 102 grain cast Lee lead Round Nose bullet over the 115 grain FMJ?
What powder Charge in about?
Click to expand...

Don't blame you for using what ya got. My 100gr load I used 2.6gr Titegroup at .980 OAL. Not bad and I'd expect the 102gr bullet would work with same data.

One factor, I also have a Ruger LCP which is more delicate than I'd like. Broke the head off the take-down pin twice (!!!) using 100gr bought reloads. One reason I stay away from the heavy bullets because that may have been cause. I don't know. If your gun is a bit sturdier you probably can go hotter. I read (above) some load 115gr bullets. I still don't want to go there....
 
I just finished casting some 30 lead bullets for the 380 Auto using the Lee .356" 102 grain Round Nose mold.

They are fat and short having an rather blunt round nose.
They cast nice. But any wrinkle you can see more on the round nose bullets than on Wadcutters.
They had a bit an difficulty to fill up the base but rather cast easily. I have the 2 cavity mold since I only plan to use the caliber for defense use and so I will not Need a high cap mold.

I allmost discarted using the factory 115 grain FMJ bullets for the 380 acp.

The Lee 102 grain 380 acp bullet is a nice bullet. I will seat about as deep as my factory Aguila 95 grain 380 Auto rounds (This factory ammo has an energy of 188 ft/lbs). [Over here brass for 380 acp is not availlable; not even at the range since nobody has here around an 380 acp pistol]. So I have to find my spent cases for sure.

Has anyone a good load data for this bullet so I get around 200 ft/lbs of energy (about 950 fps for this bullet) of the reload? It will be an defense reload.
Best load data using VV N330 or eventually Unique.
 
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The Lee 102 grain Round Nose lead bullets actually measure an Diameter of .357" to .358" on average.
That applies to the base and the myor part of the round nose.

Nevertheless These are supposed to be 380 Auto bullets as well as for 9mm Luger.
But that is normal at least for my cast bullets and since it is lead they may swage down an .355" Barrel (if the 380 Auto pistol happens to be that Dimension).
Lee seems to advertise their cast bullets made with Lee molds as usable "as cast". And I believe that is the best way.
 
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