Best .380 Auto defensive round?

gomakemeasandwich · Aug 20, 2007

Just curious as to what people think is the best defensive round for the .380 Auto.

BsChoy · Aug 20, 2007

It's tough in 380 as some rounds out there won't mushroom no matter what. I use whats most accurate...which is federal low recoil 90 grain PD rounds. I might go to remington or the winchester version as the relatively flat front of the Hp bullet in the federal rounds catches the feed ramp ever once in a while.

This is in my P3AT by the way...your results may vary with your gun

gomakemeasandwich · Aug 20, 2007

I should have mentioned that I have a Bersa Thunder .380. Anyway, what do you think of the Corbon JHP rounds that they have out there?

benEzra · Aug 20, 2007

I used to have a Bersa .380, and it really liked Federal 90gr Hydra-Shok, which it fed flawlessly. I never tried the Cor-Bon with the Bersa, but think very highly of their products (I now have an S&W 9mm, and my chosen carry load is the 115-gr JHP +P.

The only possible downside of the Cor-Bon (assuming the gun feeds OK with it) is that it may accelerate wear, so keep an eye on it.

Soybomb · Aug 20, 2007

For the most part with .380 you're going to find that any round that penetrates to 12"+ doesn't expand. Personally I say fmj rounds that feed well.

Cougfan2 · Aug 20, 2007

I have a Sig 232 that I currently carry with either Winchester SXT's or Corbon JHP's. Both shoot well in my gun, but I have no idea how they would expand if, God forbid, I ever had to shoot anybody with them.

Lonestar49 · Aug 20, 2007

Personally

...

After much reading, and owning a great Sig P232 SL 380, I have come to the conclusion, and tested, 100% reliable, that I use a Dutch Load, of the first chambered round with a FMJ 95gr and the next 2, FMJ 95gr, then 2 JHP 95gr, etc.

Most of what I've read about the 380 round really support FMJ over JHP in 95gr.

It gives me the most peace of mind, that, in the event that the first round/s have to go thru layered clothing first, or a big, thick man, the FMJ's gets thru at first (with the least amount of doubt), using 3, if necessary, shots, and the rest to seek cover if necessary.

LS

The Amigo · Aug 20, 2007

In Hollow points the best performing Ammo is Remington's golden sabers in 102g they will expand to .57 and penetrate decently if max penetration is your thing any FMJ will do but the hottest out there are Spanish surplus ammo called Santa Barbara (very hot stuff but hard to come by) hope this helps.

TC-TX · Aug 20, 2007

CorBon DPX. Always.

Tom Servo · Aug 21, 2007

The Corbons are a good choice, and Magtech makes a hollowpoint that apparently goes ~1080fps.

gbelleh · Aug 21, 2007

I don't really use .380 for defense these days, but I would use Golden Saber 102 gr in my Bersa and Beretta 84.

Rokman · Aug 21, 2007

My vote goes to Corbon.

MICHAEL T · Aug 22, 2007

Corbon DPX first Corbon 90grHP 2nd choice Bersa or KelTec best choice. also in my PPK/S and Colt Mustang

If you were a member of http://bersatalk.com you might have won free Corbon ammo. I gave away $500 worth of Gift Cetificates to members in drawings.
We have regular drawings for mags, holsters, patches, for Bersa's So join up and you might get free bee for your Bersa.

GaryArkansas · Aug 22, 2007

I carry a Bersa Thunder 380 every day. I load it with Corbon DPX.

The photos that I've seen show very consistent expansion and a lack of projectile fragmentation. It appears to penetrate steel better than conventional bonded JHPs.

WmCC · Aug 22, 2007

Ball.

MiamiGabe · Aug 25, 2007

Great Question - I carry the Golden Sabers

But that is really just based on what my local gun shop guy told me. Has anyone done any definitive research on the Golden Sabers v. the Corbons.

We're already dealing with a relatively small round, I would really like to know which is best.

mballai · Aug 25, 2007

I would vote for Corbon, but it's gotta feed. And you need to put two boxes down range to make sure it does. Reliability is the most important attribute of any ammo. 380s are known to be be picky eaters. Test it.

BobMcG · Aug 25, 2007

I've had a Bersa 85 for a couple of decades but I've not carried it in a long time. I've fed it all kinds and brands of ammo and it's digested them all quite well. I had settled on a carry round of 85gr Win Silvertips and shot hundreds of them without any feed problems. I'm sure there's better carry ammo these days but I'm not inclined to check them out for this all but retired pistol, and the .380 is one of the few rounds I don't bother loading for.

ArchAngelCD · Aug 25, 2007

You will have to try them in your Bersa of course, I like either Fiocchi 90 gr JHP or Winchester 85 gr Silvertip HP.

Newton · Aug 26, 2007

Corbon DPX, second place is distant but probably occupied by Double Tap's Gold Dot loading.

Bobo · Aug 26, 2007

For performance in an expanding bullet I believe Cor-Bon DPX, Remington Golden Saber, Double Tap Gold Dot, and Winchester Ranger RA380T are about equal.

For performance in a non-expanding bullet its Federal American Eagle first, then Fiocchi.

Just my 2 cents for .380 only, my choices for other calibers may differ...
Bobo

greg531mi · Aug 27, 2007

If a 380 Hollow Point can go through 12-16 inches in tests, why get ball ammo? Think you might run into the 600 pound man?
A good quality HP that feeds in your gun, and gives good groups, is all you need.....

Soybomb · Aug 27, 2007

If a 380 Hollow Point can go through 12-16 inches in tests, why get ball ammo?

I've never seen a .380 jhp that does 12+ inches out of the p3at if it expands.

Bobo · Aug 27, 2007

Best .380 Auto defensive round?

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