.380 acp & correct OAL

partisan

I have just added the .380 to my list of reloads. I am having quite a problem deciding what the OAL is suppose to be. I have checked several references and each one gives me a different OAL. The factory Hornady 90gr jhp measures at .930 OAL. These rounds are to be shot in a Kel-Tec .380, and I have a feeling they need to be correct. Thanks!

dcs shooters

I come up with .955 for the Hornady 90gr.JHP in the Hodgdon load data. I load a 95gr. ball to .970 and it feeds fine in my P3AT.

partisan

Thanks dcsshooters!!!

sandwarrior

partisan,

The correct OAL is the one that fits your handgun without possibly stuffing the bullet too deep to cause excessive pressures. I decide on an OAL for a bullet before I work up a powder load. Remember the OAL is for THEIR gun, with THEIR barrel, and THEIR throat in that barrel, and THEIR magazine feeding it.

I load pistol purely for function and don't try to wring all the velocity I can out of it. So I almost never have anything near a top load. Plenty of power to make the action cycle though. Feed, fire, function, those are my goals when pistol loading. Make your OAL what works best in your firearm.

partisan

Thanks Sandwarrior! This was my first time reloading the .380 acp, and I was looking for a good starting point. I loaded 50 at .970 OAL, which is what MOST of the manuals said is correct for a 95 gr bullet. I know what you're saying about all being different. That is why I mentioned what pistol I was loading for. Thanks. again!!

ENBLOC

I agree with Sandwarrior. I load 380 & 9mm as long as possible with taper crimp to feed, fire & function. The "stubbys" don't seem to jump up into the chamber. If they fit your magazine, feed, fire, extract, and eject over & over again and you get a tight group it's the load for that Pistol.

sandwarrior

ENBLOC,

I'm right with you on that one. That's pretty much what I do with .380, 9mm, .40 and .45 cals is just get the bullets to feed up the mag (and into the pistol). Meaning I seat the first one two or three times to get it just inside the mag length. The others then all get the same treatment. The bullet seater is working off ogive for what I usually use and that's FMJ. When I can only load JHP, which is mostly .40 cal, I still go out to the mag. it will keep the bullet straight as long as your feed lips are at the right angles to feed the bullets.