Favorite Defensive .380 ACP Load?

[Swing]

Hey pallies. I recently added a .380 ACP to the carry mix, so I am looking at something better than ball ammo for said. What are some of your favorite loads and why?

P.S. If it matters, the pistol is a Walther PPK.

 

[Balrog]

Any FMJ load. Penetration.

 

[Terminatorret]

Ditto. Any FMJ for the sake of penetration and, in the case of my Walther PPK/S, feeding reliability. The Walthers don't always like fancy JHP's.
Why FMJ?
This convinced me:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/98508-380-load-calling-erich.html

 

[SteadyD]

There is a series of YouTube videos testing 380 from a 2.7 inch barrel. If I recall correctly, the Federal Hydra Shoks and several different rounds with the Hornady xtp bullet all performed well.

 

[Steve C]

Federal Hydra Shok's are what I have carried in my PPK/s for many years as they feed and function in my gun reliably. You can watch Shootinthebull410 video roundup of his search for the best .380 ammo in micro pistols at:
.

 

[zaitcev]

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
scroll down for the table of results

 

[Alec]

I avoid HP or anything fancy for .380. I use the 955 fps (factory measured) 95 grain Winchester target .380 for its copper jacket and flat point. I've yet to have any failure-to-fire that would make me suspicious about the reliability of this particular ammo.

It works well in my PPK. Strangely, my PPK would only feed flat or hollow points and didn't like regular FMJ rounds like PPU or PMC. 100% reliable with Winchester. YMMV

The non-expanding flat point is key, I think, to a non-expanding bullet running at the low velocity of .380. Winchester is the only factory jacketed flat point bullet that I have found. I sometimes practice with Freedom Munitions .380; it has a flat point also but it is just a copper-plated X-treme bullet. I wouldn't carry that.

The Luckygunner article posted above is a great resource, but it's a shame they didn't test any FMJ. I think you will find the results for .380 hollowpoint rounds underwhelming.

 

[usp9]

I've run a bunch of different brands through my Pico and I've landed on the Winchester SXZ because it shoots fairly soft, consistent and accurate. Comes in 50 round boxes too. Any top quality will probably serve the purpose. Find one you like.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've used FMJ for years for reasons already stated.

My attitude is if you can get through the target penetration with a reliably expanding hollow point that's fine. But that's not the case with a 380. I'd rather have reliable through the target penetration with a non-expanding bullet.

JMO

 

[Eugen]

I buy whatever 95-100 grn RN 380 ammo that is on sale and that my EDC Sig P238 shoots reliably. The list is long.

 

[kokapelli]

Since the XTP round performed so well in the "Ammo Quest" test that is linked in post #5 it is my round of choice and it is available for only 30 cents a round from Freedom Munitions.
https://www.freedommunitions.com/ammunition/pistol/380-auto/380-auto-90-gr-xtp-new.html

 

[RPZ]

Only time I would use HPs is if I was going to carry in a very crowded place. Then it would be Hornady XTP. All other times, FMJ.

 

[Cump]

I've carried the older-school federal hydra shok, which more often hits the 12 inches in gelatin. I've also seen some tests of the 80 grain Barnes Tac that hit 12 inches. Right now I'm carrying flat nose. With HP in 380, you ironically want bullets that don't expand as well, so you can get to 12. Partial opening is a flaw with other calibers, but with 380 it is a feature. A magazine of hydra shok may have some reach 10-12, some partially open and hit 15 and some clog and act like fmj. Unpredictable, yes, but that is kind of the reality with 380 and flesh and bone.

I think HP vs. FMJ in 380 is moot. Carry what you shoot well, and what works well in your gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Stay away from any of the gimmick ammo that comes out from time to time. I would go with the Hornady Critical Defense ammo or if you are worried about inadequate penetration their Critical Duty ammo.

Most .380 ACP name brand SD ammo out there today is pushing a high quality 90gr JHP bullet at ~1,000 fps and they will do the job. Since there is a big market today's .380 ACP ammo is highly engineered and very effective.

 

[RPZ]

I think Lehigh have good penetrating .380 ammo.

 

[wally]

FMJ for penetration. But I carry the Remington Golden Saber 102gr JHP -- I doubt there will be any significant expansion from the short barrel of my S&W Bodyguard 380, so I want all the mass I can get.

 

[1KPerDay]

Any of the XTP variants.

 

[chicharrones]

For my .380 ACP and .32 ACP mouseguns, I just use FMJ. I prefer round nose to flat nose due to one of my mouse guns having a hard time with feeding flat nose.

For autoloaders, I don't puchase JHP ammo until I'm in 9x19 territory or above.

However, I do have friends that prefer JHP in a .380 carry gun.

 

[WVsig]

These have always worked well for me in my LCP and Beretta 85B

 

[Ironicaintit]

Not trying to start a debate, because my mind's made up....but:
I roll my own with 90 gr XTPs and bullseye. They're good for about 850fps out of my sig238, and 910fps from my Mauser HSc.

I used to really like Sierras JHP, but their expansion was a bit too much IMO. The XTP is the bees knees

 

[RPZ]

Not trying to start a debate, because my mind's made up....but:
I roll my own with 90 gr XTPs and bullseye. They're good for about 850fps out of my sig238, and 910fps from my Mauser HSc.

I used to really like Sierras JHP, but their expansion was a bit too much IMO. The XTP is the bees knees

Just an aside, but wonder why velocity is significantly higher from the HSc. The barrel lengths are pretty similar. But 60 fps difference from a short barrel pistol is interesting.

 

[WVsig]

Not trying to start a debate, because my mind's made up....but:
I roll my own with 90 gr XTPs and bullseye. They're good for about 850fps out of my sig238, and 910fps from my Mauser HSc.

I used to really like Sierras JHP, but their expansion was a bit too much IMO. The XTP is the bees knees

The XTP loaded properly is as good as it gets for .380 auto IMHO.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Just an aside, but wonder why velocity is significantly higher from the HSc. The barrel lengths are pretty similar. But 60 fps difference from a short barrel pistol is interesting.

The barrel on the HSc is only 1/2" longer than on the 238... I'm not 100% sure why the velocity difference is so great. Maybe the action style? (Blowback vs short recoil)

The recoil on the HSc is definitely more of a snappy attention getter than on the pussycat 238

 

[RPZ]

The barrel on the HSc is only 1/2" longer than on the 238... I'm not 100% sure why the velocity difference is so great. Maybe the action style? (Blowback vs short recoil)

The recoil on the HSc is definitely more of a snappy attention getter than on the pussycat 238

Probably a tighter barrel.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Probably a tighter barrel.

Meh, whichever. I still prefer the 238s controls over the heel mag catch and backwards safety of the HSc.
Cocked and locked, baby.

So, anyways.....

I've found some (older) autos to be less picky about the XTPs, vs other brands of JHP as well.

Even my old humpback C series BHP (9mm) digests them. Reliability!