Fiocchi .380 ACP 90gr XTP in Clear Ballistics Gel.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Ruger LCP
Barrel length: 2.75 inches.
Ammunition: Fiocchi .380 ACP 90gr XTP
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 808fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

Shooting the bull on YouTube did an in-depth test on .380 ammo and concluded that the XTP bullet performed the best. I have been meaning to do my testing with this bullet and finally got around to it. I picked up some Fiocchi .380 ammo featuring Hornaday’s XTP bullet.

I got a five-shot average velocity of 808fps with a high of 828fps and a low of 790fps.


Five rounds offhand at 5 yards.

The first round shot in the clear gel had a velocity of 817fps and penetrated to 12.5 inches. The recovered diameter was .45 inches and weight was 89.9 grains. Round two’s velocity was 795fps and the bullet penetrated to 13 inches. The recovered diameter of the bullet was .44 inches and its weight was 90.5 grains.



When shot through the heavy clothing gel neither round expanded. The first round had a velocity of 784fps and penetrated to 17.5 inches. The recovered weight was 89.9 grains. The second round’s velocity was 792fps and it penetrated to a depth of 16.5 inches. It’s recovered weight was 90.4 grains. The second round showed signs of beginning to open up.

 

[94045]

This is about the results I see. If I shoot into a dead hog sometimes it expands and sometimes it doesnt. If it doesn't it.usually tumbles which increases tissue damage and keeps it from over penetrating.

Did you see signs of tumbling in the block with heavy clothing?

If you get a chance try the Fiocchi 380APHP. I found the cheaper standard JHP to actually work better than expected. Slightly shallower but more consistent than the XTP.

 

[5pins]

This is about the results I see. If I shoot into a dead hog sometimes it expands and sometimes it doesnt. If it doesn't it.usually tumbles which increases tissue damage and keeps it from over penetrating.

Did you see signs of tumbling in the block with heavy clothing?

If you get a chance try the Fiocchi 380APHP. I found the cheaper standard JHP to actually work better than expected. Slightly shallower but more consistent than the XTP.

Yes, I forgot to mention that both of the rounds that went through the heavy clothing tumbled from the 8 to 12 inch mark.

 

[1KPerDay]

Interesting. Thanks for the report.

 

[murf]

any feeding issues with the ammo?

murf

 

[TTv2]

This is why I believe Inceptor .380 is the best .380 ammo for defense.

 

[5pins]

.

any feeding issues with the ammo?

murf

No problems at all

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Thanks for that - got a passel in a sale and wondered.

Todd.

 

[WYO]

This is about the results I see. If I shoot into a dead hog sometimes it expands and sometimes it doesnt. If it doesn't it.usually tumbles which increases tissue damage and keeps it from over penetrating.

Thanks. Can you provide any insight concerning penetration after hitting bone and/or cartilage?

 

[5pins]

Thanks. Can you provide any insight concerning penetration after hitting bone and/or cartilage?

No.

 

[94045]

This is why I believe Inceptor .380 is the best .380 ammo for defense.

It makes a very nice track in gel. The problem is the track in gel does not correspond to what you get in flesh.

In a pig carcass it leaves a similar track to an unexpanded XTP and goes about 60% as deep.

 

[94045]

Thanks. Can you provide any insight concerning penetration after hitting bone and/or cartilage?

Lighter.stuff like ribs seems to have little effect. I don't shoot directly into shoulder.knuckles for obvious reasons.

 

[TTv2]

It makes a very nice track in gel. The problem is the track in gel does not correspond to what you get in flesh.

In a pig carcass it leaves a similar track to an unexpanded XTP and goes about 60% as deep.

It's true that we don't really know exactly what's happening inside the human body when hit by one of the Inceptor bullets, but there's enough testing on various media to deduce that the bullet tumbles and a tumbling bullet of that size is an effective tissue destroyer. Good enough to stop an attacker? IDK, but it's better than .22 or .25, that's for sure.

As to the penetration, a 90 grain JHP .380 bullet that isn't consistent between expanding or tumbling isn't something I care to rely on because IDK how it's going to work when I need it, but the Inceptor is going to tumble almost all the time and a consistent 10-12 inches of penetration is all we really need against a human from a tiny gun like the LCP.

 

[94045]

It's true that we don't really know exactly what's happening inside the human body when hit by one of the Inceptor bullets, but there's enough testing on various media to deduce that the bullet tumbles and a tumbling bullet of that size is an effective tissue destroyer. Good enough to stop an attacker? IDK, but it's better than .22 or .25, that's for sure.

As to the penetration, a 90 grain JHP .380 bullet that isn't consistent between expanding or tumbling isn't something I care to rely on because IDK how it's going to work when I need it, but the Inceptor is going to tumble almost all the time and a consistent 10-12 inches of penetration is all we really need against a human from a tiny gun like the LCP.

That's what it's all about. Choosing based on your own priorities. Just try to get multiple sources so you know your not basing it on an anomaly.

I like the 13-17" penetration of the XTP depending on expansion. It tumbles when speed drops if it fails to expand..

Incidentally I've had a problem replicating the shallow penetration in Critical Defense that Ammo Quest got. My performance looked more like Lucky Gunner. Why I say to always try to check multiple references.