Lee Loader

I picked up a box of super vel 80gr JHP at a gun shop. Only load that I can find is for a 80gr solid bullet in Lee's load manual. It has min 3.6 max 4.0 of No. 5. Will I be safe with 3.6gr to start?

That would be their suggested starting load. Should be plenty safe, but may not have enough power to function the pistol properly.

The last time I tried a light load 380 in my Glock it malfunctioned quite a bit. I realized the load was just barely strong enough and I was limp wristing a bit. So it told me to get back to basics for a while, I did and my shooting improved. Did not load anymore 380s with that load.

As long as the bearing surfaces of the two are close the starting load shouldn't cause you any problems. I didn't know SuperVel was still around. I used some of there stuff in 9mm a lot of years ago.

Make smoke,

The only difference in load data would probably be the OAL...check the bullets for length comparison.

No .380 for me but I've done two rounds with 9mm and won. First round fail was because of under-powered loads....and first round for me was in single action! Should have been a simple fix but I got %@*&$ off and sold all my factory 9mm, all my brass, my dies, and all my jacketed loose projectiles. When I bought a P95 I had more loading experience and less fear. 9mm runs like a top now.

Fear not.

Horseman wrote:The only difference in load data would probably be the OAL...check the bullets for length comparison.

I feed the same 380 cartridge to 3 of me and my Daughter's 380s. I just keep the OAL under max, make sure they feed well, and shoot reasonably accurate.

By some stroke of luck the load I practice with shoots very close to the Hornady Critical Defense round I carry.

I might just keep the box on the shelf with the other bullets and not use them. They are probably collector worthy. I do load 90 and 100gr for the .380 and they work ok.