05 November 2020, 17:06
SSI01.380 ACP plated bullets w/Unique Powder
I am loading .380 rounds using XtremeBullets' 100-gr plated RNPFP (Round Nose Plated Flat Point) bullets. All cases are cleaned, checked for cracks/stretching/defects, and are primed. Powder will be Alliant Unique. It is difficult to find reloading data for cast bullets using this powder. My Speer manual lists five loads using Unique for FMJ bullets, none for cast lead. 2 are for 90gr, 1 is for 95gr, and two are for 115gr jacketed bullets. Lee list copper plated 100-gr copper-plated bullets but again, no Unique data. Is there any place on the internet where this data is available? Even going to Alliant fails to surface any info re: a load for a 100gr plated bullet using Unique powder.
05 November 2020, 21:07
SlenkCast Boolits.com gun loads has the info you might us.
06 November 2020, 02:43
B L O'ConnorI've used 4.3 grains of Unique with 105 grain Remington Golden Sabre bullets and it works well, and AmmoGuide lists the same load (4.3 grains Unique) both for 100 grain lead and for a 100 grain "Generic" (I imagine that's a jacketed bullet).
If 4.3 is good for both jacketed and lead bullets, I would think it would be just fine for plated.
For safety's sake, start a few tenths of a grain below that and work up.
Safety first.
06 November 2020, 04:52
SSI01Thanks folks. Waiting for XtremeBullets to get back to me as well. I rang Alliant Powder and they stated straightaway I needed to go to the bullet manufacturer to get the reloading data. Interested in comparing their reply to your info.
06 November 2020, 08:51
eagle27Lyman 46th Edition list loads for the 380 Auto for Unique as follows:
100gr jacketed 2.6grs start - 3.6grs max Unique (1013fps 15,200 CUP)
92 gr cast 3.1grs start - 3.7grs max Unique (920fps 11,800 CUP)
You would be good to go with the 100gr jacketed load for Unique with your plated bullets.
06 November 2020, 18:02
SSI01OK eagle, those figures look to be about where I'd expect mine to land as well, based on other reading. I was figuring on 3.0 grains (midpoint on your scale) or somewhere close to it.
06 November 2020, 19:59
SSI01eagle, I'm using a plated lead bullet that's slightly heavier (5 grains) than the jacketed bullet mentioned in your data. If I'm understanding correctly, as far as friction goes, a lead or plated bullet at 100 grains in weight will travel more easily up the barrel at a lower pressure than a 95 grain jacketed bullet. Any gains in lower friction may be offset by the slightly increased weight of the plated bullet, though. I will be firing a heavier plated bullet up the barrel that because of its weight will be generating slightly more chamber/barrel pressure than the jacketed bullet, wouldn't it? Given that variable, would 3.1gr or 3.2gr be more on the order of what's right?
07 November 2020, 00:47
eagle27quote:
Originally posted by SSI01:
eagle, I'm using a plated lead bullet that's slightly heavier (5 grains) than the jacketed bullet mentioned in your data. If I'm understanding correctly, as far as friction goes, a lead or plated bullet at 100 grains in weight will travel more easily up the barrel at a lower pressure than a 95 grain jacketed bullet. Any gains in lower friction may be offset by the slightly increased weight of the plated bullet, though. I will be firing a heavier plated bullet up the barrel that because of its weight will be generating slightly more chamber/barrel pressure than the jacketed bullet, wouldn't it? Given that variable, would 3.1gr or 3.2gr be more on the order of what's right?
I would expect that 3.0grs or a little over as you have indicated above would be the right. Chronograph is the way to go when loading handgun.
07 November 2020, 03:17
tsturmquote:
Originally posted by eagle27:
Lyman 46th Edition list loads for the 380 Auto for Unique as follows:
100gr jacketed 2.6grs start - 3.6grs max Unique (1013fps 15,200 CUP)
92 gr cast 3.1grs start - 3.7grs max Unique (920fps 11,800 CUP)
You would be good to go with the 100gr jacketed load for Unique with your plated bullets.
