.380 HBRN Bullets

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  • Mark K

    Active Member
    Sep 29, 2013
    280
    Colorado Springs, CO
    I've generally used Berry's 100-gn Flat Base Round Nose bullets for .380 range loads.

    Those are tough to find these days, though I seem to see some Berry's 100-gn Hollow Base Round Nose bullets available occasionally, though at slightly-higher prices.

    I can't find any specific load data for those. I do see some old threads debating whether hollow-base bullets take up more volume in a case, with no consensus. Seems that a hollow-base bullet of a given weight would indeed sit farther in the case than a flat-base, but that the hollow would counter that....
     

    Mark K

    Active Member
    Sep 29, 2013
    280
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Hmmm... No info from anyone?

    Well, I don't use Western powder, but I do see they give .380 reloading data for 100-gn RNHB and round-nose bullets -- p. 25 here:

    http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/u...12.406720126.1610853161-2138848580.1609479241

    Looks like their recommended powder charges for the two are almost identical. The recommendation for hollow-base bullets is actually a tenth of a grain more (starting and max), for just a bit more muzzle velocity.

    Can I assume the same should be true of other powders?
     

    U.S.SFC_RET

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 8, 2005
    6,699
    I have no experience but its my humble opinion that a hollow base bullet would give you a bit more wiggle room on the shorter side.
     

    Mark K

    Active Member
    Sep 29, 2013
    280
    Colorado Springs, CO
    I have no experience but its my humble opinion that a hollow base bullet would give you a bit more wiggle room on the shorter side.

    You mean being able to go with a slightly-shorter cartridge overall length?

    Seems like a hollow-base bullet would seat farther in the case; but the bullet would also be longer, so COAL would be the same. And the internal case volume for powder should be the same, because of the hollow...
     

    U.S.SFC_RET

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 8, 2005
    6,699
    Seems like a hollow-base bullet would seat farther in the case; but the bullet would also be longer, so COAL would be the same. And the internal case volume for powder should be the same, because of the hollow...

    Now that you do mention it.
    You are looking at the bullet being lighter. I tend to be very careful on minimum overall length.

    If you have a chronograph I would go with the same OAL as your flat based bullets and see if they would be slower.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I've generally used Berry's 100-gn Flat Base Round Nose bullets for .380 range loads.

    Those are tough to find these days, though I seem to see some Berry's 100-gn Hollow Base Round Nose bullets available occasionally, though at slightly-higher prices.

    I can't find any specific load data for those. I do see some old threads debating whether hollow-base bullets take up more volume in a case, with no consensus. Seems that a hollow-base bullet of a given weight would indeed sit farther in the case than a flat-base, but that the hollow would counter that....

    I used them when I couldn't get what I wanted. I found they need a little extra powder to get good results.
     

    Mark K

    Active Member
    Sep 29, 2013
    280
    Colorado Springs, CO
    I used them when I couldn't get what I wanted. I found they need a little extra powder to get good results.

    Well, that's my situation exactly.

    That corresponds with the load data I've linked to in Post #2. Requiring a tenth of a grain more powder than for flat-base, for some reason...

    I think I'm going to start with the same load of HP-38 that I use for flat-base, and see if they cycle correctly. Our Glock 42 likes relatively hot loads.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Well, that's my situation exactly.

    That corresponds with the load data I've linked to in Post #2. Requiring a tenth of a grain more powder than for flat-base, for some reason...

    I think I'm going to start with the same load of HP-38 that I use for flat-base, and see if they cycle correctly. Our Glock 42 likes relatively hot loads.

    I think you're on the right track.
     

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