Loads for .380 Auto:
(Note: These ARE MAXIMUM loads, you may want to use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Due to different barrel lengths,
type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors,
you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
These are ALL MAXIMUM LOADS: Start at 10% less and work up!
Bullet size is .355" (9mm) (jacketed or lead) in diameter.
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90 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
No. 2 3.7 gr. 930 FPS
No. 5 4.8 gr. 920
No. 5 5.0 gr. 1,062 MAX.
No. 7 6.5 gr. 970
Bullseye 3.0 gr. 940
Unique 4.0 gr. 940
HP-38 3.5 gr. 957
Universal 3.6 gr. 955
VV N320 3.2 gr. 965
WSL 3.4 gr. 880
Ramshot Zip 3.2 gr. 1,041 MAX (start at 2.9 grains)
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95 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
No. 2 3.7 gr. 934 FPS
No. 5 4.8 gr. 891
Bullseye 3.2 gr. 900 (FMC bullet)
Unique 4.2 gr. 910 (FMC bullet)
231 3.2 gr. 964 (speer FMJ)
HP-38 3.2 gr. 884
Universal 3.5 gr. 901
VV N320 3.2 gr. 940
WSL 3.3 gr. 895
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100 grain Hornady FMJ (Full metal jacket)
No. 2 3.4 gr. 793 FPS
No. 5 4.9 gr. 895
Bullseye 3.3 gr. 985
Unique 4.0 gr. 950
HP-38 3.1 gr. 843
Universal 3.4 gr. 889
VV N320 3.0 gr. 885
WAP 4.3 gr. 935
231 3.4 gr. 870
IMR 700X 3.0 gr. 995
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100 grain LEAD RN
No. 2 3.6 gr. 943 FPS
No. 5 4.5 gr. 922
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115 grain FMJ or JHP
AA No. 7 5.4 gr. 872 fps
VV #318 2.45 gr. 877
HS-6 4.5 gr. 885
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These are ALL MAXIMUM LOADS: Start at 10% less
and work up!
Discussion: Bullseye is a fast burning powder and perhaps
better suited to the small cases like the 380 Auto. It burns
completely and fast. Unique is a very consistent burning
powder and it is almost a tossup with the heavier bullets.
Universal and HP-38 are from Hodgdon and similar to Bullseye and Unique.
A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air.
*
Power Pistol, Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, No. 9, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WAP (Winchester Action Pistol), WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet - - Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders' Guide (1995) - - Hodgdon's Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) - - Speer Reloading Manual, #12 - - Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition - - Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. - - VihtaVuori Oy Company,reloading booklet (1995) - - Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.