I'm starting to reload a couple of rounds for practice then personel protection. I am using a 95 gr rainier bullet with bullseye powder. What is a good starting load fo the powder? my book says 3.2 gr but when its in the shell theres not much room for the bullet. Any suggestions?

Personally I'd buy Hydrashock for carry. I load range and target ammo. As far as the volume question goes the weight for Bullseye with a Hornady 90 grain max's at 3.3. Does the powder compress in the shell? there isn't much bullet in the shell.

I read an article the other day that recommended a hydoshock .I will buy on the next go around.As for the loads, the book calls for a min and max at 3.2 grains .when placed in the case it doesn't look like there's much room. I'm used to loading 45's and 38/ 357's you know ... enough room for a politician left between powder and bullet.

rainers are fine for practice but i sure wouldn't use them for self protection.

I have tried to develop 380 loads to see how much power I can get:


A) A 1903 Browning blow back with 8.5 gr Power Pistol, 158 gr XTP, 1.090", does 1158-1187 fps.


B) A Kel-Tec P3AT locked breech designed 100 years later with 90 gr GD, 6.1 gr Power Pistol, .968", OAL, no crimp, does 1100 fps.

What does it all mean?
a) The locked breach did not help enough.
b) Being designed and manufactured 100 years later did not help enough.
c) The higher mass slide, higher force recoil spring, longer barrel, thicker chamber wall, more case support over the feed ramp, and longer magazine for longer OAL do help.

Lots of .45 ACP. I don't remember how much space a 9mm Makarov had left in it, I have lots of them too. If I can get to my bench tommorow I'll do some measuring.