BEST .380 SD Load

[C0untZer0]

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

I'd like to see a study of the lethality of fists.

They are a lot deadlier than Hollywood has portrayed, a lot dealier than people generally think and handgun bullets are a lot less lethal than Hollywood has typically portrayed.

I don't think the current administration would fund any study like that since Holder has even said that the concept of self-defense has been expanded beyond reason and Stand Your Ground laws need to be repealed.

 

[kokapelli]

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?

Personally I couldn't care less about velocity and energy in a 380 pistol. What I care about is will the round function reliably and will the bullet reach critical areas.

 

[LiveLife]

kokapelli, very good point. No amount of muzzle energy of published muzzle velocity will do any good if the pistol can't get that round chambered to fire.

As to deep enough penetration to do damage to the vital organs, I prefer the 10"+ of Speer 90 gr Gold Dot in denim/gelatin over 8"+ of Winchester 95 gr PDX1 but haven't been able to find Gold Dot so I am using PDX1.

I used to load the mag with FMJ and even thought about staggering FMJ/JHP.

 

[fastbolt]

Personally I couldn't care less about velocity and energy in a 380 pistol. What I care about is will the round function reliably and will the bullet reach critical areas.

Uh, where did I say anything about MV & ME?

Reliable feeding & functioning are my primary considerations, as well.

 

[kokapelli]

Uh, where did I say anything about MV & ME?

Reliable feeding & functioning are my primary considerations, as well.

Sorry I meant that to be a response to BDs post #50