The Original CZ Forum

GENERAL => Ammunition, questions, and handloading techniques => Topic started by: mrcabinet on January 05, 2020, 10:59:30 AM

Title: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: mrcabinet on January 05, 2020, 10:59:30 AM
Anyone loading them? I've gone from owning one .380 to three in the last six months, so the time has come for me to start loading for them (I'm good on SD ammo). Yesterday I ordered some 95gr, coated LRN from Precision Bullets so I'm interested in hearing any success stories from those that have loaded the same or similar. These will be for range/practice loads.

FYI, I have BE-86, Titegroup, Unique, Red Dot and some 4227 on hand. One of these days I'm going to find some Sport Pistol, lol.
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: lewmed on January 05, 2020, 01:29:19 PM
 My wife's friend has a Sig p238 that she is very accurate with.  I load target ammo for her using my own cast 90 and 95gr bullets and bake on the Hi-tek coating. I'm using loading data from Lyman's 49th edition reloading handbook with Winchester 231 powder and Federal primers. I have found the loads from mid range and up close to max. the most accurate and the recoil is very light.
 The only problem with reloading 380 auto is getting the empty brass mixed in with my 9mm brass that's a real PITA if you reload on a progressive press.  I ended up buying some nickel plated primed 380 brass from RMR that are easy to spot when mixed with my regular 9mm brass. 
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: mrcabinet on January 05, 2020, 04:47:39 PM
I keep toying with the idea of trying some 231 - it seems very versatile. This just might be the reason to finally try it out.
The idea of getting nickle plated brass is a good one, but I have a bucket full of regular .380 brass so it would be hard for me to justify it right now. I've made it a hard-fast rule that we shoot all the .380 we want to before moving on to 9mm, which helps minimize mix ups.
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: Wobbly on January 05, 2020, 07:56:07 PM
One of these days I'm going to find some Sport Pistol, lol.

I keep toying with the idea of trying some 231 - it seems very versatile.

W231 (aka HP-38) is the same burn rate as Sport Pistol so there's no need to get both. Of the 2, the SP is the newer, and probably the better purchase.

I'm really "high" on Alliant right now. If you like the BE-86, then you'll be in love with Sport Pistol.
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: Wobbly on January 05, 2020, 08:07:15 PM
The only problem with reloading 380 auto is getting the empty brass mixed in with my 9mm brass that's a real PITA if you reload on a progressive press. 


Try loading the brass into a white plastic ammo tray for 40S&W. Not only will it allow you to dump exactly 50 cases into your case feeder, but you can also quickly spot non-380 cases by comparing case lengths. As per this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpkUnUqMo8U


Hope this helps.  ;)
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: mrcabinet on January 06, 2020, 10:38:00 AM
Thanks Wobbly - good info on both counts.
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: lewmed on January 06, 2020, 01:24:46 PM
 Wobbly thanks for posting the video I have seen it before but had forgot about it, that will save me a lot of time sorting and counting my brass.
Title: Re: .380 Coated LRN?
Post by: Wobbly on January 06, 2020, 01:51:36 PM
Thanks for posting the video I have seen it before but had forgot about it, that will save me a lot of time sorting and counting my brass.


When I first saw this I thought it was neat, but slightly excessive. Then I started to get just enough 380 and others mixed in my 9mm to make reloading with a case feeder exasperating. Now, I use this method religiously with every reloading caliber setup. It has completely ended some frustrations.

It's so refreshing to load 100 primers and 100 cases, and then have the last primer seat in the last case. It solves 2 clean up areas, and leaves the press empty and ready for the next caliber and primer selection.

Thanks to Idescribe  ;)