Reeder Custom Guns - With .380 dies running $80+ I tried a combination of

.38 Special to size (0.005” too big) and 9mm Luger to seat/crimp. It kind of worked but brass thickness varies a lot as do chambers on the .380s. A few rounds looked great. Some others the bullets were way loose. This due to a combo of thinner/thicker brass and not enough resize down. The .380 is around 0.374” and .38 Spec. is 0.379”.

I found some FL sizers online for around $25 and that might work. But Lee makes a sort of universal taper crimp die for .38 S/9mm/ .380 that’s only $12. With those two and a universal flair die you’d be in business for sure. I have a Lee universal flair die and Hornady universal de-cap die, wonderful tools.

3.0 hrs. HP38 is not much. A great powder that I also use for .32 ACP
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I had some 9mm Browning Corto cases that are the same as .380 ACP except for the extractor groove in the case design. But the still fit the shell holder.

Far right; .380 ACP, 9mm Corto, .32 ACP, .38 S&W
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I love this stuff. Tinkering and figuring things out.

At HHC I was gifted some .380 brass to play with and some 100 gr. JSP.
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for my 380 reloads. If you want to try some I will send you some.

Sean

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Am just playing around with the concept of using “normal” 9mm Luger bullets in the .380. Other than seating depth due to different ojive designs it should work. Have you screamed any of those out of the Luger?

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Fast with less pressure. Burns clean, very accurate. My favored Semi-Auto (and Mag. Shotgun) powder! I loaded Puffy a bunch of 10 ga. buckshot using Longshot and gained 15% velocity at less reputed pressure compared to Blue Bot. That was with a 1,000 grain payload!

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In 9mm. It’s on the Hodgdon website with the load data. I’ve used it with a 9mm 1911 for 4 or 5 jackrabbit kills in the 120 yard plus range.
It’s over 1400 fps (barely) with a 4” barrel. The 5” 1911 barrel might be a little more

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I know you like tinkering but Midway has the Lee Deluxe 4-Die Set in .380 for $47.99. But another couple of bucks worth of something and get free shipping. Just say'n.

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With .380 dies running $80+ I tried a combination of

last year I found some (500) 90gr Gold Dots

Thanks Sean, you have been too generous. I

Out of a Taurus G2- using Longshot- 1330

Ruger LCP 380- 90 gr GD - Longshot - 1110

That's as warm as a Makarov! Longshot is good stuff!

CFE pistol will run a little faster

380 Die Set

Thanks, I thought they were out.