380 ammo ?

[lonewolf5347]

I here from some 380 cal. owners the FMJ bullet is a better choice over the HP ammo due to the low FPS in the 380 round.I wonder for self defense carry ammo which of the 2 is a better ammo for stopping power?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This is a tough question about which far more ink (or electrons) has been spilled than actual blood. I know of no real world (i.e., actual shootings of people) data that supports one over the other. One could make a case for using a staggered or "Dutch" loading (i.e., alternating FMJ and HP in the magazine) in this caliber, although I am usually opposed to this practice.

 

[Shaky]

The Brassfetcher.com testing shows most of the hollow point .380 rounds penetrating shy of the FBI's suggestion of 12" in bare gelatin, with Federal's Hydra-shok coming in right at 12" (from a 2.25" bbl). They showed the Winchester white box fmjtc with 16" through heavy clothing. I carry mine with the white box stuff and the understanding that one shot ain't likely to do the job.

 

[okc-zee]

Not mentioned,but Buffalo Bore makes a standard pressure hardcast truncated cone 100gr in 380...I now carry it in my LCP...I've shot it a few times and would not want to get hit by one...

 

[481]

The Brassfetcher.com testing shows most of the hollow point .380 rounds penetrating shy of the FBI's suggestion of 12" in bare gelatin, with Federal's Hydra-shok coming in right at 12" (from a 2.25" bbl). They showed the Winchester white box fmjtc with 16" through heavy clothing. I carry mine with the white box stuff and the understanding that one shot ain't likely to do the job.

One of the best responses and perspectives I've seen in quite a while regarding the .380's abilities, Shaky.

90-95 grain FMJs are the best way to go since the .380 seems to lack the "steam" to drive an expanded JHP (if it expands) past 9 inches of penetration.

If forced by circumstances to carry a .380, I go for penetration right after placement; expansion if it suits the "ability" of the particular cartridge (which the .380 lacks).

 

[David E]

If I had to use only a .380, I'd load it with Gold Dots.

9" of penetration is plenty for the summertime face-on encounter at 10 feet or less.

 

[481]

If I had to use only a .380, I'd load it with Gold Dots.

9" of penetration is plenty for the summertime face-on encounter at 10 feet or less.

Well, if you can guarantee that your assailant will stand still and remain facing you while you are shooting at him, then I suppose that it might be just the ticket.

I have no such power and anticipate that I will have to shoot through (possibly heavy set) anatomy at a less than optimal angle and perhaps through bone or an intervening barrier if my luck holds as it usually does.

While some awfully important structures and organs certainly resides less than three inches beneath the skin of the ventral human anatomy, I am not counting on whoever is assaulting me to hold it steady there while I put bullets through it.

 

[Dogguy]

Moving target vs any ammunition is iffy. Especially when you're adrenalin-stoked.

 

[Frozen North]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=602130

This has been going on the subject. I posted some pics of bullet performance in water on pg 2.

 

[Newton]

This is a purely personal opinion and not supported by any verifiable testing, but....

From those shootings I have studied that involved a .380ACP, the ones using an FMJ rarely caused much inconvenience to the target, but those with JHPs usually ended in the morgue. One was a through and through shot with a 102gr Golden Sabre that caused a lot of damage (victim's lower back while running away).

Personally I use Gold Dots but would much prefer them if stoked to European .380 power levels. My dream load has always been a Santa Barbara case and load with a Gold Dot sat on top of it.