C.O.A.L. ? for 380 acp - The Firearms Forum

ncisland11 · 03-22-2010, 06:27 PM

I'm using a ZERO 95 gr. JSPHB. Can't quite find out a recommended COAL for this round. Loading with 3.8 grs of A5. Looking in 3 different manuals I have and length varies greatly. Anyone have any experience with this??
Thanks!!

JLA · 03-22-2010, 08:52 PM

If I were in youre situation I would start with the SAAMI maximum. Load a couple dummies (brass without powder or primer) to the maximum length and function test them in the magazine and the firearm, if they seem too long or want to bind the mag up or not chamber properly then bump them down .010" at a time until they function flawlessly. then set the crimp on one of your dummies and put it your die box for future reference. Pull the other and load up starting charges and begin load development. I have done this repeatedly when i use bullets that are new to the market or dont have specific data readliy available...

03-22-2010, 06:27 PM	#1
ncisland11 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	C.O.A.L. ? for 380 acp I'm using a ZERO 95 gr. JSPHB. Can't quite find out a recommended COAL for this round. Loading with 3.8 grs of A5. Looking in 3 different manuals I have and length varies greatly. Anyone have any experience with this?? Thanks!! -->

03-22-2010, 08:52 PM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: C.O.A.L. ? for 380 acp If I were in youre situation I would start with the SAAMI maximum. Load a couple dummies (brass without powder or primer) to the maximum length and function test them in the magazine and the firearm, if they seem too long or want to bind the mag up or not chamber properly then bump them down .010" at a time until they function flawlessly. then set the crimp on one of your dummies and put it your die box for future reference. Pull the other and load up starting charges and begin load development. I have done this repeatedly when i use bullets that are new to the market or dont have specific data readliy available... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!