.380 sd ammo

[kokapelli]

I'm with Erich on this one (having worked hundreds of homicides myself).
I have a pocket .380 and I've ordered a bunch of Santa Barbara fmj ammo. Does about 1100 fps, btw.
-David

Santa Barbara was chronographed by someone at Ktog at 1000fps out of a P-3AT.

 

[kokapelli]

A little more information.

The following are results from gelatin tests done at Evan Marshall's "stoppingpower.net" group.

Pistol used is Keltec .380 3AT

Corbon .380 90 gr. +P
Pen 16.50+" Exp N/A (left the block, not recovered)

Speer .380 90 gr. Gold Dot
Pen 10.50" Exp .476

Federal .380 90gr. Hydra Shok
Pen 16.50" Exp .356

Note that only the Gold Dot expanded.

The CorBon round and the Hydra Shok rounds did not expand in these tests.

In a more recent test done by the same group, the CorBon PowerBall in 380 shot from a P-3AT also did not expand in denim covered gelatin.

 

[Marshall]

From Erich

I've worked on a pile of handgun killings. Several were with .380s (and involved transversing an upper arm and then the chest sideways). Ryan and Dirkster are right, in my experience. Based on what I've seen, I tell people that I would only carry hot FMJ in a .380 (as does a pathologist who worked for us as an expert once). I would also study Gray's Anatomy to learn where one must precisely place these little penetrators in order to damage the heart/aorta, brain and upper spine.

How can anyone go against this guy and his real life, or dead life in this case , examples. Beats any non-human "test" all to heck.

I would go FMJ as suggested.

 

[horge]

The two hottest cartridges out of my BERSA Thunder 380 were


Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara (ENSB)* JSP 95 gr. which averaged 1060 ft/s
Twin Pines Silver Bullet 90 gr SJHP which averaged 1120 ft/s

My rate of fire was slower due to the recoil, and reacquiring a moving target
(or God forbid, several targets) for follow-ups looks to be tricky. The first
shot is good though --dead-on, whereas some cartridges shoot low for me.

I don't pack with either, though.


horge


*ENSB is now known as "Santa Barbara Sistemas S.A", having been acquired by General Dynamics.

 

[glockkeeper]

I have read some good things about corbon 90 gr. jhp and dpx., however I don't know much about these rounds. I was thinking as read this that I may just cocktail the mag. with dpx and win. flat nose fmj. Though I have heard that the dpx round will penetrate 12". Does anyone know if this is indeed true?

 

[kokapelli]

I have read some good things about corbon 90 gr. jhp and dpx., however I don't know much about these rounds. I was thinking as read this that I may just cocktail the mag. with dpx and win. flat nose fmj. Though I have heard that the dpx round will penetrate 12". Does anyone know if this is indeed true?

Since the CorBon 90gr +p does not expand from the short P-3AT barrel, why would you carry it over any other fmj?

As for the DPX shot from the P-3AT, if you don't mind shallow penetration, fine.

Here are some DPX gelatin test results using a P-3AT________


10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Keltec 3AT

Barrier:
Bare Gelatin


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 8.375”
Recovered Weight: 80.2 gr.
Expansion*: .714 cal.
Velocity: 914.7 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.



10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Keltec 3AT

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 6.75”
Recovered Weight: 80.8 gr.
Expansion*: .732 cal.
Velocity: 958.6 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.



10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
North American Arms .380

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 7.375”
Recovered Weight: 80.7 gr.
Expansion*: .716 cal.
Velocity: 988.8 fps

 

[glockkeeper]

I WAS ACTUALLY REFERING TO RESULTS FROM A BERSA .380. I THINK IT HAS A 3.5" BARREL IS'T THAT A BIT LONGER THAN A KEL-TEC? I AM REALLY NOT FAMILLIAR WITH KELTEC,HAVE HEARD GOOD THINGS,BUT NEVER USED ONE PERSONALLY. BUT NONE THE LESS FMJ IS PROBABLY A BETTER CHOICE FOR A .380.
THANK YOU,

 

[kokapelli]

[size=-2]I WAS ACTUALLY REFERING TO RESULTS FROM A BERSA .380. I THINK IT HAS A 3.5" BARREL IS'T THAT A BIT LONGER THAN A KEL-TEC? I AM REALLY NOT FAMILLIAR WITH KELTEC,HAVE HEARD GOOD THINGS,BUT NEVER USED ONE PERSONALLY. BUT NONE THE LESS FMJ IS PROBABLY A BETTER CHOICE FOR A .380.
THANK YOU,[/size]

Sorry, I thought you were using a P-3AT.

Here are the 380 DPX gelatin results from a Walther PPK. Close to the same barrel length as the Bersa.

10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Walther PPK

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 7.50”
Recovered Weight: 81.0 gr.
Expansion*: .725 cal.
Velocity: 1085 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.


Calibration BB Data:
596.9 fps.
3.625 pen.

It is interesting to note that the DPX performed a little better from the KelTec than it did from the Walther, but than again, the DPX is designed specifically for short barrels.

 

[MICHAEL T]

CORBON IS NOT +P .
THEIR IS NO +P IN 380 IF YOU DON"T BELIVE CALL CORBON AND ASK THEM.

800 626 7266 is their number.

 

[kokapelli]

CORBON IS NOT +P .
THEIR IS NO +P IN 380 IF YOU DON"T BELIVE CALL CORBON AND ASK THEM.

800 626 7266 is their number.

Yes, you are right and if you look back at the gelatin test statistics in my previous posts, there is no reference to "+P" although I did accidently use the "+P' designation in regard to the old CorBon 90gr jhp.

I belive CorBon used to list their 90gr jhp as a "+P" round.