700x .380 recipe

[farronwolf]

I have been looking for reloading data for .380 95gr fmj loads with 700x powder.

The only definative loads I can find is in the RCBS software which shows a Speer 13 manual loading for it as follows:

CCI 500 primer with starting weight of 3.1 velocity of 912 and highest weight of 3.4 velocity of 1012. OAL of .980 but doesn't give the CUP pressure for the loads.

This is out of a Walther 3.8 inch barrel.

Lyman 48 has a charge weight between 1.7 and 2.5 with a 95gr fmj, and OAL of .900 Much less powder than the 3.4 gr the Speer load calls for.

The thing that concerns me is that most of the other load data that I find for 90 or 100 gr bullets have powder weights for 700x in the 1 to 2 gr range with the highest being about 2.9 grs with a 90 gr bullet.

Any help or confirmation of some safe 95 gr. loads with 700x powder would be appreciated.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Jeff F]

Well my Hornady book shows 90gr and 100gr loads with nothing in between. Max load with 700x listed at 3.1gr for 90gr and 2.9gr for 100gr. Min load listed for 90gr is 2.8gr and 2.4gr for 100gr. Should be enough info to come up with a safe load for a 95gr bullet.

[Guantes]

Speer #12 Shows the following, which they state do not exceed 21,500psi established for the 380 by SAAMI.
Max OAL: 0.984
Primer: CCI 500
Slug: 95gr TMJ
700-X, 3.1gr @ 912fps, to 3.4gr @ 1012fps
Test Firearm: Walther PP

Similar to what Speer #13 shows

[Cateye]

I have been using the following:

2.5 gr 700X
100g Berrys Plated Bullet
Federal Cases (Once Fired American Eagle Ammo)
Federal small pistol primer

I have fired several thousand rounds of this load. it is comfortable to shoot (for both my Wife and Myself), accrurate, clean and very economical.

Hope this helps

P.S. I am using RCBS dies that required that I polish the expander plug to prevent bulging of the case and use it so that the bullet just clears the case mouth. I use a minimal amount of a tapered crimp as well. I also had special loading blocks made so that I could grasp the cartridriges during the reloading process without spilling powder etc. I use a Bonanza (now Forster) H press that I have had for over 30 years...still going strong!

[Tubby45]

Wish I could help you but 700X is not a good powder for the .380. You want to use #5, Titegroup, or HP38/W231 (same thing).

[farronwolf]

What I ended up going with was some 2.3 gr loads with the 95 gr fmj, and some 2.5 gr with same lead.

Both seemed to cycle and function well. Neither were near what factory loads were for recoil.

Being as I am sitting a 8 lbs of 700x, and that it stretches pretty far when loading for 9mm, that is what I will use in the .380 as well. I can't see any ill effects of the powder for the .380, what makes it not a good powder choice?

[Tubby45]

Inconsistent burn in that case volume, sporadic accuracy, and metering consistency. It can be used for the .380 but isn't optimal. If you are happy with the results then have at it.