Four layers of denim isn't popular fashion most days of the year where I live regardless of official season of the year. I certainly don't consider. 380 Auto a "summer only" CCW option around town.
How valid is a test with 2-4 layers of denim when the pistol is distinctly a summer carry only piece? Not a whole lot, bucko. In the unlikely case it doesn't expand, who cares? If I carried one and I don't, a torso shot would not be my first POA.
Oh really? And where would your first POA be? You're probably one of those wishful "head shot" snipers aren't you?If I carried one and I don't, a torso shot would not be my first POA.
M
Federal HST for me.
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I carry the Federal HST made for the short barrel pistols. It's a 98 or 99 grain bullet that was specifically made to expand out of a 2" barrel.
Several years ago, ShootingTheBull410 did a series of ammo tests for .380 ACP pocket pistols. His summary video is here:
Basically, he liked anything that shot Hornady's XTP bullet. Hydra-Shok was a second choice. The problem with most of the other JHP bullets was that they expanded too easily. With the .380's limited power, they didn't penetrate deeply enough to do the damage required to stop an assailant.
Yea, the BB 95 Gr Std. Pressure has less recoil than the hardcast, and also the extra barrel maintenance required due to the hardcast is a turnoff for me.They've got a 100 gr standard pressure hardcast load in addition to their +P 100 gr hardcast load.
Hardcast is good.
That's what I run.The Hornady XTP load looked best from the Luckygunner data so that's what I selected.
The standard pressure is also hardcast.Yea, the BB 95 Gr Std. Pressure has less recoil than the hardcast, and also the extra barrel maintenance required due to the hardcast is a turnoff for me.
? No it's not.The standard pressure is also hardcast.
What do you mean by "extra maintenance"?
I think there was a misunderstanding on your behalf of what I was referring to. You said "The standard pressure is also hardcast" in response to me saying "the BB 95 Gr Std. Pressure has less recoil than the hard cast". I guess this is where you must've thought I was referring to some 95 grain hardcast load, but notice that there is no 95 grain BB hardcast load, the hardcast loads are only 100 grains. There is a standard pressure and +P 95 grain non hardcast load, and a 100 grain standard pressure and +P hardcast load. I was referring to the 95 Grain stuff the whole time.I was referring to 27E, the hardcast std. velocity load.
I've shot hundreds of rounds of lead bullets of all calibers and I've never had any issues with excess lead buildup in any of my barrels. However, I'm a longtime member of Castboolits and understand what im doing.
10-4. Yeah, so many options it's confusing. Sorry for the misunderstanding.I think there was a misunderstanding on your behalf of what I was referring to. You said "The standard pressure is also hardcast" in response to me saying "the BB 95 Gr Std. Pressure has less recoil than the hard cast". I guess this is where you must've thought I was referring to some 95 grain hardcast load, but notice that there is no 95 grain BB hardcast load, the hardcast loads are only 100 grains. There is a standard pressure and +P 95 grain non hardcast load, and a 100 grain standard pressure and +P hardcast load. I was referring to the 95 Grain stuff the whole time.
I guess there was either a misunderstanding, or you just didn't know I specifically am against hardcast, therefore not knowing the hardcast load being standard pressure or +P doesn't matter to me, since I stay away from anything hardcast.
.380 is not an incapable round just requires the proper ammo for application...
WWB FMJ FN - 32"+ Penetration out of 2.75" or 3.675".
Hornady American Gunner XTP - 14" (12" in bare gel) if it expands and 17" if it tumbles (it is not stable out of short barrels if it fails to expand) out of a 2.75" barrel. If you shoot it out of longer barrels you run the risk of stabilizing it when it doesn't expand.
Critical Defense - 14" Penetration out of 3.675" (the lower the velocity the shorter the penetration because the petals don't fold back and you get a larger diameter. I wouldn't use under 3.25").
Remington 88 gr JHP - Expands and gives decent penetration in 3.25" + Barrels. Acts like hardball in a 2.75".
A 0.42-0.50" round that penetrates 12-14" or a .355 that tumbles and penetrates 17" should be adequate.
I've had consitency issues (from lot to lot) with the .380 Gold Dots. Until that changes I'm not using them.
LCP - Hornady American Gunner
380 EZ - Critical Defense
That's what I'm running because that's what I've seen the most consistent penetration in the 12-18" range with in those barrel lengths.
I don't see a reason to change summer to winter. Clothing does not provide a significant barrier to bullet penetration. It does increase the chance the hollow point will plug and you will get increased penetration.
If anybody cares my own testing in wild hog carcasses have been consistent with the a I've gel test numbers.
As far as the .380 FN FMJ ammo, I've seen conflicting results in different tests. For the WWB 95 FN Grain FMJ, I have seen one or so test(s) that show 30"+ penetration, but I've seen many more tests that show no where near 32" penetration, but more like 16-20" penetration. Oddly enough, all the "hot" Buffalo Bore FN FMJ tests have shown no more than 20" penetration to my surprise. Take a look at this.
http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2013/04/380-auto-fmj-heavy-clothing-terminal.html?m=1
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And this is Buffalo Bore +P, which one would think might do 40"+, yet
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Also, this thread is interesting too.
https://www.defensivecarry.com/foru...in-fmj-fp-defensive-carry.html#/topics/150343
I'm not worried about .380 overpenetrating.
Yea, the article said that the slower FN FMJ's (around 850 fps) tumble often, while the faster ones usually don't, and therefore penetrate deeper. Tumbling also increases cavity size, so I guess it's more of a good thing than bad.Normally a 16" depth of penetration in a .380 would be indicative of tumbling. Any appreciable expansion would be shorter and any standard weight fmj would be much deeper.
I have no experience the large meplat bullet but a 148 gr 700 fps .358 Wadcutter only penetrates 16" so that is not necessarily out of the question.