380 loads behind me & a question

[svgheartland]

Just finished loading my first 500 380's. What a bugger. They're tedious little things. Loaded the first couple dozen and headed to the farm for test firing from a couple of guns. Nice feeding, good performance, all is well, etc. Happy guy, I finished the loading.

Question; those casings a very light construction, thin walls. How many cycles are you guys getting from these? 3 reloads...maybe 4?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[cvhoss]

I've never loaded a 380, but I wouldn't be surprised if you get 10 or more loadings. The 380 is a low pressure cartridge (21,500 psi compared to 35,000 psi for a 9mm) so depending on how much your gun dings them up you'll probably lose them to re-working of the brass before firing actually damages them.

Hoss

[showmebob]

I've never loaded a 380, but I wouldn't be surprised if you get 10 or more loadings. The 380 is a low pressure cartridge (21,500 psi compared to 35,000 psi for a 9mm) so depending on how much your gun dings them up you'll probably lose them to re-working of the brass before firing actually damages them.

Hoss

+1. My 380 flattens the case mouth some but I can still load it. Range brass that I've found has been so bad that I take a punch and rawhide hammer and straighten it out first. Between the bent case issue and my gun scattering cases all over the place I don't expect to reload my cases many times. This is one gun I'll need to buy brass for.

[cvhoss]

If you need pistol brass, direct from Starline Brass is about the best option I've ever found. Unless they've changed recently, their prices include shipping. Compare their prices to Midway for 380 brass:

Direct from Starline -- $114.00/1000

From Midway:

Magtech -- $86.99/500
Remington -- $163.99/1000
Starline -- $141.99/1000
Winchester -- $164.99/1000

I just wish they made more rifle brass.

Hoss

[showmebob]

I'll be visiting both the Starline and Sierra factorys next month while on a fishing trip. Hope to learn a lot and bring home some supplies!

[Landric]

I loaded for .380 years ago. I actually found it to be the brass that lasted the least amount of time out of the cartridges I reloaded for. I think it was a combination of the brass being less durable and the guns banging it up more.

I just got a .327 Federal revolver. I'm not looking forward to handling those little bullets, narrow cases, and small powder charges, but I still think it will be fun to handload for.

[coffeecup]

Think .380 is bad? Try .17 Rem one of these days. .221 Fireball is another one that is a headache looking to happen.