BEST .380 SD Load

Why over-think it?

When I dropped my personal retirement CCW caliber threshold to include a LCP, I tried mine with the hollowpoint loads available to me at the time. This included Rem HPJ (Golden Sabre), Speer GDHP & Win RA380T (T-Series). All fed, fired & functioned normally in my gun, in my hands. All were surprisingly accurate during all drills in my hands. (Yes, I also tested the Win FMJFP ball loads, as they were available as training/qual ammo, but I want to carry hollowpoints which feed & function in my LCP.)

I settled on the Speer Gold Dot & Win T-Series. Why? Simply because both loads are available to me at this time in greater quantities than the Rem Golden Sabre.

If other loads by Hornady & Federal were more available, I'd check them for feeding & functioning in my LCP, in my hands, and include them as alternatives in my retirement ammo.

What good quality defensive .380 ammo is available to you in your area, and does it feed & function in her LCP in her hands?

How well can she shoot it, and do so under some demanding circumstances?

I was a little surprised in the video test he only evaluated the Buffalo Bore standard pressure rounds.

I'm carrying the BB +P HP version. I know there is no industry standard for +P in .380, but these feel hotter when you shoot them.

Ruger doesn't recommend them, but I shot enough to know they feed, and will carry the rest, not shoot them. I practice with standard pressure rounds, aside from the manufacturers warning, who could afford to shoot any of the high end rounds on a regular basis?

I'm not recommending - BUT...

Tula 91 gr FMJ (steel jacket) gets an honest 980fps out of my LCP. It gets 1080fps from my AP9. With a steel jacket. Did I mention it has a steel jacket?

I'm pretty sure you could over penetrate with it.

200 rounds through the AP9, 50 through the LCP. No Failures.

Rem 102 Golden Saber is my choice, good expansion with good penetration.

Rem 102 Golden Saber is my choice, good expansion with good penetration.

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What is "good" ?

My wife carries the LCP also. Hornady Critical Defense has always functioned fine in it, and that is her carry load. Practice she uses FMJ. My biggest problem with my wife is the constant need to have to clean pocket lint out of it because she refuses to use a holster, and carries in her pants pocket. Her worst enemy in the end will wind up being pocket fuzz and not her load.

I think she's got more to worry about than lint if she's pocket carrying without a holster.

Ok here I go again. If you think your 8" to 12" penetrating jhp will reach his vitals after going through arms and shoulders, stick with it, in the meantime I will stick with fmj in 380 pistols. I personally chose to use the very inexpensive but totally reliable WWB fmj/fp round that penetrates 18" plus in gelatin.

CORBON DPX38080/20

The all-copper bullet construction conquers hard barriers like auto glass and steel while still maintaining its integrity. This is an optimum load for Law Enforcement.
- Deep penetration on soft tissue 10-17 inches.
- Easily conquers hard barriers like auto glass and steel.
- Reduced recoil due to lighter-weight projectile.
- Solid Copper Projectile
- Environmentally friendly!
*CERTIFIED: CALIFORNIA LEAD FREE*

Caliber: 380 Auto
Bullet Wt.: 80gr DPX
Velocity: 1050fps
Energy: 196ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 2.5 Inches
20 rounds per box.

Dpx .380: 10-17"???

More like 7-8":
http://www.stoppingpower.net/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=10021

Tomac

When I carry my SIG P230 it is loaded with Speer Gold Dot ammo...just because I have some.

From what I've seen, heard, and read, the 380 hollow-point ammo just doesn't penetrate that great.
So I carry Blazer Brass 95g FMJ ammo in my Ruger LCP.

I use Corbon DPX in all my 380's Picking ammo for a 380 is like what better ford or chev Every body like a different brand it seems like .

I don't worry about what FBI lab boys say . They like 18" of penetration 12 is min. They also shot thru things a civ likely never will

25 auto mets 12" requirement with ball in the jell Do you carry a 25 auto ? Look at security videos of robbery Their close and face to face and just about every one shooting 1 handed.

I will keep my Corbon DPX . I'll take 8" and 45 or larger expansion as I won't be shooting just once any way. With my KelTec , PPK/s, or Bersa

That link is to Evan Marshall board and he says

i occassionally carry a .380 as a 3rd gun-this looks promising-some folks will get hysterical that it doesn't penetrate 12" but it works fine for what it is-a .380.

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He seems to like it and .70 expansion from a KelTec That what they used for test a PPK or Bersa be better in penetration

An LCP in a galco holster is so convienent to carry. And as stated I'll take expansion and larger wound channel over a pencil track penetration.

I carry 95-100 grain ball ammo (not even sure what make and model) in my TCP because it feeds well and per the prevailing wisdom is more likely to achieve penetration to vitals.

I carry hornady critical defence but I also like the golden saber but they hung up one time in my LCP so I wont use them.I got good expansion results in water with the golden saber 102 gr

Kahr33556 said:

I carry hornady critical defence but I also like the golden saber but they hung up one time in my LCP so I wont use them.I got good expansion results in water with the golden saber 102 gr

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Almost all hollow points expand well in water. How about penetration?

And as stated I'll take expansion and larger wound channel over a pencil track penetration.

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With the possible threat of fat thugs wearing heavy winter clothing, I'll take more penetration every time.
The larger wound tract of the expanded round doesn't do much good if the round fails to reach vital organs or vessels.

Another vote for FMJ due to better feeding reliability and pentration

FMJ because it has better penetration. 380 is pretty weak on penetration and a hollowpoint makes it worst. FMJ also has most reliable feeding.

I'll second the S&B fmj for penetration. Fiocchi fmj is also good, I think they tend to load them a bit hotter. Use whichever you can get, as long as it feeds, fires, & flings reliably in your wife's gun.

The ATF says the .380 AUTO is deadly:

Speaking of their test results with the 3-D printed plastic gun "The Liberator":

"The bottom line is, the penetration results demonstrated that the Liberator is a lethal weapon," Griffith said. "The .380 bullets fired from the Liberator penetrate sufficiently to reach vital organs and perforate the skull."

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So their you have it people, your tax dollars hard at work.

C0untZer0 said:

The ATF says the .380 AUTO is deadly:

Speaking of their test results with the 3-D printed plastic gun "The Liberator":



So their you have it people, your tax dollars hard at work.

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I'm surprised we haven't seen a study about the relative stopping power of rocks and sticks from our government recently.

I have used both the Kel Tec P3AT and the Ruger LCP. Very similar guns. I have tested four brands of self defense ammo and the best results(in function, not penetration) were with Hornady Critical Defense red tips. I had some jams with other brands if I was shooting very fast double taps. If I shot slowly then none of the major brands jammed. However, I work in law enforcement and in our training we are taught that 99% of shootings are point blank(within 7 feet). Both of our officers that have recently had to use their firearms shot within two feet(physical contact). At that distance reliability trumps penetration and expansion. I want slick, nickel plated cases that function 100% of the time and Hornady critical defense provides that and goes bang every time in my Kel Tecs as fast as I can pull the trigger. At most self defense ranges any of the major brands are going to penetrate far enough as long as your shot placement is good. Buy boxes of the brands you are considering and shoot them in realistic scenarios and see which one functions in your gun 100% of the time. Carry that. Forget penetration tests. I have shot many deer with a 30.06 and sometimes I get full penetration, sometimes I don't, and sometimes I hit a rib and it deflects out it's rectum. My point is you never know exactly what the bullet will hit when you fire it. The important thing is that your gun is firing. My five cents.

I think if you live in colder regions where shooting through heavy clothing is a factor, I would support the use of FMJ ammunition. But I live in a region (central CA) where it is sunny and warm/hot most of the year so typical target would be wearing thin or single layer of clothing (likely a T-shirt).

I currently use Winchester PDX1 95 gr bonded JHP for the TCP (latest version of Black Talon). The rounded nose profile reliably feeds/chambers and I suggest the PDX1 to other 380 Auto shooters when they report feeding/chambering issues as it is more readily available in my area than other JHP ammunition.

Winchester advertises 1000 fps muzzle velocity out of 3.75" barrel with 211 ft-lbs energy - http://www.winchester.com/products/handgun-ammunition/Innovative/PDX1-Defender/Pages/S380PDB.aspx

tnoutdoors9's 4 layer denim/gelatin test with 3.5" barrel Bersa Thunder averaged 987 fps and reported PDX1 achieved highest muzzle velocities of all the 380Auto ammunition tested. The PDX1 consistently expanded without cavity clogging with denim and penetrated over 8 inches into the gelatin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv7ChS7DurE

I like Speer Gold Dot and Remington Golden Saber JHP ammunition for 40S&W/45ACP and use them in my Glock/M&P/Sig but could not find any for 380Auto when the TCP was recently purchased. Here's Speer Gold Dot 380Auto 90 gr HP testing in comparison (1040 fps advertised, average 980 fps with 3.5" Bersa) with over 10 inches of penetration - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTTuXpFChsA