Powder for .380/9mm

N

ninosdemente

New member
Is there a powder that can be used for both bullets or should each one get its own powder? I have a Nosler and there are a couple of powders that are used for both bullets for 115gr. My Lyman on the other hand has different ones for 115gr.

These are just for range use only as I am only wanting to get FMJ.
 
ninosdemente, it is customary to refer to cartridges like .380 and 9mm Luger as "cartridges" and the things they shoot out of them towards the target (i.e. the projectile) as "bullets".

The .380 (also called 9mm Kurz) typically uses a projectile in the 85 - 100 grain range while the 9mm Luger (also called 9mm Parabellum) typically uses a projectile in the range of 115 grains and up.

There is a considerable overlap in powders that will work in both cartridges. The Hornady manual #9 lists Bullseye, Universal, Winchester 231, Accurate #2, Power Pistol and Winchester AutoComp as suitable powders for both. You can also check the bullet maker's published data against the on-line data from the powder manufacturers and you may find more powders that will work with both.
 
I've used win 231 and Accurate #2 in both with good results (for range ammo) using 100gr projectiles in the 380 and 115gr in the 9mm. If you want top end performance in each, you'll likely need distinct powders for each, but there are many powders that work just fine in both.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
 
I load both the .380 and 9mm (jacketed or plated bullets only) with Herco
for full power performance.
Load data is found in older manuals.

JT
 
hdwhit, yes, I have to work on terminology. You can tell I'm still ignorant with terminology. Will work on it. Thank you for the help and everyone.

Some of the powders mentioned here are the ones that are mentioned in the Nosler book. Not looking for high performance from each one. At least not now, just wanting to get my feet wet and progress from there.

Now, is CCI primers good for these as well? Nosler 7 and Lyman 50th use Winchestor WSP. Thanks again.
 
ninosdemente, I too load both the 9mm and the 380. I have found the Hodgdon HP-38 does not work well for me in the 380 with a 100gr bullet but works wonderfully in the 9mm with everything I've loaded with it.

Recently I've started using Ramshot Silhouette and it has worked very well in both the 380 and the 9mm.

I have found that primers hasn't really made a difference with my loads and I've been using CCI, Winchester and Sellers & Bellot. The Winchester have been a little hard to come by in this area at times.
 
Thanks again. Condor bravo, thanks for clarifying that for me.

Part of the reason why I asked about the CCI primers is because my S&W Bodyguard .380 has already been sent to manufacturer to fix the misfire it had (about a month I received it from S&W). I was using Herters when misfires started happening and it seems that it is still a problem, not as much as before it was sent. I really hate to have to send it back, but this should be something that has to get fixed again. Didn't have problems with Remington and other manufacturers. Now if I'm not mistaken I believed someone mentioned the CCI primers are a bit hard. Hate to spend money on them and not work. But I guess wouldn't be so bad as I can use those same ones for the 9mm or simply don't buy those and stick to something else.
 
I have one 9mm that doesn't like CCI Primers one bit. They are the hardest cups of all I've tried and the S&B seem to be the softest. So far I have used a brick of the S&B and not a single misfire.

The 231 and HP-38 are the same though in my area the HP-38 is usually about $3.00 a pound cheaper.
 
Bull's Eye works well. It meters well too. Red Dot does work OK. It gets dirty at low pressure, and does not meter well for small volume loads, thus needing to be hand weighed for each charge. Tite Group will work ok as well as long as you are using plated or jacketed bullets. I have not had very good results with it using lead bullets in several calibers. As of lately I use HP38/Win231 for 9mm cast lead loads. It works as good as any.

The low pressure .380 loads are going to be on the sooty side regardless of the powder you use.
 
When one buys powder, is it better to get a lb at a time or get the higher volume at a time? I came across on another post that people buy larger volume instead of getting a lb at a time as it can/may vary slightly change from container to container? If this true and what changes can/may happen? There were no facts backed up to this. Just curious.
 
ninodemente I buy in 1# containers because that's what I can get locally. Reason some buy larger containers is so that they stay with one lot number longer or are shooting large volume cartridges were they are using much more powder. For handguns with small charges I don't think the lot number issues makes a big impact.

For all those loading 231/HP38 in the 380 I'd like to know how you are doing it because I can't get it to group using a 100gr plated bullet. I've loaded about 50 at different levels and have given up on this in the 380.
 
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