Reloading 380 acp

I Have found this to be true with .380, 9mm and 45acp.
These are all fussy about over all length. The ones listed in the manuals are just a guide. Every gun is different.

While setting up my loading dies, before I lock them down.
I test the loaded round in the barrel of the gun to insure it will chamber.
Saves Angst latter.

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I have been told that 45 ACP is persnickety to load because that round headspaces off the case. I have never loaded for ACP so am ignorant.
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It can be a little particular, but not for that reason. Almost all autopistol rounds headspace off the case mouth. Pay attention to your crimp, and your seating depth.
 
I really appreciate all these replies. So forget the trimmer. Ok. Will vibratory media cleaner be ok or do I need to spring for Sonic. I did use someone's reply on here concerning 308 soaking in dawn dish tether gent, vinegar and salt. Put baking soda in on rinse and dried in baking pan. They didn't shoot any better and the brass was all dingy. Run it back through media and it came out looking good but had to clean all the media out of flash holes. Can I vibratory clean the 380 brass
 
Lizard Litter is crushed walnut shells. You buy it at the local pet store and it's cheaper than getting from a firearms related business.
 
Why do people question whether to load.380? If, you shoot it. You reload it, if possible. That's my philosophy. It is not any harder than loading 9mm. Way fun to shoot. It is one of my favorite calibers. Lots of nice older pocket pistols and new ones, too. It works well within the range normally needed for self defense.
 
reloading for the 380acp

I think any gun that you want to be proficient with is worth reloading for. I have a favorite Walther ppk/s and a not so favorite Bersa 380. I have put many rounds through the ppk/s and even my 62 year old eyes still place 3 inch groups at 15 yards with those tiny sights, assuming I am shooting my reloads. favorite load is 95 grn jhp from Montana Gold, bullets, with 2.7 grns of 700x, seated at .955 oal. both guns are happy with it but the walther excels and I would stake my life on the gun. the only jam I've had with the gun was with factory ammo, and it has seen at least 8000 rounds. I have always trusted my own ammo more than factory, even when I was supplied factory ammo my the Pennsylvania Game Commission for carry, many years ago.
 
Lizard Litter
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It's for the bottom of your terrarium that you keep your Lizard in. (LOL)

It also works great mixed with corn cob 50/50 in your tumbler for cleaning your cases. I use it all the time.

Jim
 
Lizard Litter is walnut shells sold in pet stores.

Lizard Litter is walnut shells sold in pet stores.
Easier for some people to get.
Yes, use 50/50 with corn cob.
Auto wash/wax can be added for shine.
 
I seen walnut media instead of corn cob media at bass pro. The corn media is cleaning fine. You all are right about picking up range ammo. Old eyes and magnifying glass says I have 50/50 9 mm and 380. Have to look close. I saw you didn't like your Bersa and mine out shoots my Walter and glock. 400 rounds not cleaned and never a misfire. Husband said he had never seen a gun so nasty continue to work.
 
Powder choices.

I love, LOVE, LOVE Alliant Unique for almost all pistol calibers I reload, but it's a chore to use in small (smaller than 9mm Makarov) cases. The charge weights are below that for which Unique has little or no problem metering. I suggest a ball powder, like WW231 or AA-5. There are other ball pistol powders which may also work, but the two I mention are the ones I've used in .380, and which I have used in the most numerous calibers.

The only time I actually hand-trickled and weighed charges on EVERY round of .380 was when a friend owned a Llama .380 with a locking breech, and we went well above what was safe for a blowback piece. We also used projectiles weighing above 100 grains, so charge weights dropped precipitously in the name of safety. I soon learned to appreciate 231, and despise Unique (then made by Hercules).
 
Like the OP, I have my supplies together...

Hornady Die Set
Lee FCD w/Hdy Lock Ring

1000 cleaned 1x fired cases
Berry's 100 gr PHP X 1000
Tightgroup
CCI SP primers

MTM 100rd boxes x 5

380 ammo can (50 cal size)

Hmmmm....so how much load development for a CW380?? I'm thinking 5 sets loaded from max -.5gr thru max. OAL about 1/8 turn shorter than passing plunk test. Crimp at SAAMI nominal mouth diameter to -0.001". Other ideas??
 
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