Tiny cartridge loading question

T

turtlehead

New member
Would like to load some 380 for the first time on a Dillon 550b next weekend. Have never loaded pistol before.

Let's say the load data says start at 3.0 and max at 3.4. Would you just set the powder throw for 3.2? Not much wiggle room there.

Thanks. And I'll be shooting my first ever 223 reloads tomorrow morning!

If you don't hear back from me I just want to say I've enjoyed my time here and appreciate all your help. :D
 
No, you work up the load starting at the 3.0 and ending at the 3.4. Think 5 or a mag load of each load. Shoot 'em off a solid rest to find the most accurate load, then set up your powder thrower with whatever that load happens to be. Same as you do a rifle cartridge. Or should have with your .223. Not a lot of people reloading .380 though.
There's absolutely no reason to think you're going to have any problems if you followed the directions exactly. Reloading is not unsafe.
 
I asked because the Dillon is going to throw a charge within +/- .1.

I trickled up my loads for the 223 so I know those are precise.

Did have a dream last night about bullet set back... Bet that's not uncommon.
 
I don't recall my .380 load but if starting anew would load about 20 with 3.0 and another 20 with 3.2. It is frequently said that experienced reloaders often start around mid range but prudent to start at the starting load and then work up.
 
It is frequently said that experienced reloaders often start around mid range
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Maybe frequently said.

But probably not frequently done.

The only way I'll do it is with 38 Special, to be shot in a 357 Mag gun (or 44 Special / Magnum gun).

I've had 357 Mag test rounds that showed considerable signs of pressure at the starting charge weight. And that's a true story from this experienced loader. So it follows, from my experience, it's generally not a good idea to start mid-scale.
 
The two Nick's agree. I've twice run into loads that were at or near maximum for the gun in question right at the starting load and I could go no higher. This was not true for them with other data, so this was a load data problem. Recall that you see some load data where one publishers data starts in the middle of another's or worse, they have ranges that don't even overlap, and you can see how such an error can occur. Don't trust published data blindly. Always check multiple sources to get a sense of the range of loads. The web makes that easier than ever these days.


Turtlehead,

I don't know what powder you plan to use. The Dillon throws some flakes closer to ±0.2 grains. You may get ±0.1 out of 231/HP38 or some similar spherical powder.
 
Perhaps I'm chicken, but after 30 years or reloading I still start new-to-me cartridge loads at the starting load, as per my manuals. I established this method waaaay back pre-web and I haven't found a downside yet. Too long to find a load? Mebbe for someone in a hurry or one that doesn't like to reload, but I like reloading, shooting, and recording results...

Not to sound like a jerk, but I really don't care what "they" do or what "most reloaders" do 'cause my methods have kept me safe and allow me to find great loads. No shame in being cautious (besides I get to reload more!)...:p
 
Turtlehead,

CFE Pistol is another spherical powder and should dispense fairly accurately in most any measure. Spherical powders tend to do that because they not only fill small corners and flow well, but they are not packed down by vibration nearly as much as stick powders and don't bridge over and opening, like flake powders can.
 
Ended up picking up some Titegroup at Dillon. Looks like it will flow very well.

It's been nice having Dillon nearby. Have been able to go in several times now and ask detailed questions. It's hard to overstate how good their customer service is.

Thanks for your help.
 
Ended up picking up some Titegroup at Dillon. Looks like it will flow very well.
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Yes TiteGroup meters well because it's dense and fine grained. And "dense" is probably also a good thing for those tiny 380 Auto cases - so it's good in two ways.

I'm actually not a big fan of TG (long story), but I bet it's likely a fine choice for many applications in 380.

Load safe.
 
.380 bugs the crap out of me. Tiny charges make tiny errors into HUGE errors. Tiny guns aren't made strongly enough to take big hits. But otoh, just a spike in pressure isn't necessarily going to blow the thing up like a grenade, it's only four grains.

There was no way in hell that I was going to load in my uniflow, until I got the pistol converter.

The problem with using those tiny little charges is that errors add up. Let the scale be off a bit, set your charges to maximum, and have a +.1 error occur, and you could easily drop charges 10% above max, or even more. Even a half grain can be handled by bigger rounds where that little case will build pressure rapidly and the firearm may be a bit sensitive.

So just be careful.
 
We'll see how the Dillon drops this powder.

New folks really like shooting my P238. It's a pleasant gun to shoot. Would like to find a double stack 380 just for fun.
 
TiteGroup is a good choice / but be careful with it, min and max are close together.

I will never go below min...but I prefer to start at min plus 0.1gr...and go up to mid range...for my test rds.

My 650 ... drops titegroup very consistently...
 
I tried slower powders because I was getting lousy extraction, using accurate five. It threw out powder that was still shiny, not even scorched. I've tried number two now.
 
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