.380 loads for the Ruger LCP

[NcongruNt]

Hey everyone,

So since I have a lack of daylight time for the range, I'm working on developing some .380 plinking loads for the LCP.

First up (and already loaded) is Bullseye coupled with Berry's 100grn plated RNFB bullets.
I started at 2.1 grains and worked up in increments of 0.2 grains to 2.9 grains. OAL is 0.980".
This is based off the Hornady Manual's load for 100grn FMJ bullets, reduced 10% or so because they're plated bullets.

Next (sometime this weekend) I'm going to try loading some Winchester 231 with the same bullets.
I'm going to be working from Hornady data this time as well (Lee and Lyman have no data for this weight with 231).
The low-end FMJ figure uses 2.6 grains for 700fps. I'm going to work up from 2.5 to 2.9 grains in increments of 0.1. OAL again 0.980".

My goal is to work up a light plinker load where the cases don't hit the roof and I don't have to go chasing them down to recover them, while still feeding and ejecting reliably. I've found that lots of new shooters are put off by the recoil from the LCP, so this may help make it a little more enjoyable to try out.

If only I had the time to go shoot!

[NcongruNt]

Tested out my Bullseye loads Sunday, got good results with them. Both 2.3 and 2.5 gave good accuracy out of the bunch, so I've settled on 2.3 as a standard load with Bullseye.

Unfortunately, it was too overcast to get the chrony to work, so I didn't get a speed on them. I've got another 50 loaded up, so I'll try to get speeds on them.

Will post about the 231 workups when I can get around to loading and shooting them.

[LTUME1978]

I worked up a load of 2.5 grains of Titegroup pushing a 115 grain cast bullet (all I could find at the time). It shoots well in my LPC. I have no idea how fast it is though. Have not seen any issues with pressure other than with one piece of what appeared to be military brass. Since that is the only one I had, I just pitched it and use only commercial brass that I have or can pick up at PSC that other kind souls leave on the ground.

[stealthcrf]

3.2 Ramshot true blue
CCI spp
win brass
berry's 100gr

No vel. numbers, but recoil is about 20% less than Speer's loaded 90gr gold dot.

[Griz44]

I load .380 with 2.4g titegroup under a 95 grain ranier plated round nose. They feed great in my Cobra and Walther. Decent accuracy (for short barrels) and no issues cycling the actions.

[Matt Fleming]

Looking for feedback for .380 loads using Acccurate Arms No. 2 and/or HP-38. Reviews on the 'net seem to indicatate these are good spherical metering powders that provide good loading density, mild recoil and moderate muzzle flash.

[Matt Fleming]

Settled on 3.5gr of AA #2 - very reliable, mild recoil. Walther PK380 is my best shooting 380.