Let's Talk .380

[If1HitU]

View attachment 785556 I carry my Sig 230 with Hornady critical defense ammo. It groups well at 25 yds,although I never shot it any farther than that. With current modern bullet choices the .380 shines well as a defensive round with great concealability.

I use the same ammo,for my 380 BG.

 

[edistoriverrat]

On a post in this thread I had mentioned that the Polycase ARX ammunition was getting hard to find. That seems to be over. In fact, Midway is even stocking the bullets, along with factory ammunition. I ordered 500 bullets so I can make up some practice ammunition (yes, the bulk of my practice is still using the cheapest stuff I can crank out, and ARX is still not the cheapest).

The Load data for these rounds calls for a surprisingly heavy load. Someone elsewhere pointed out that it is probably to insure reliable cycling with such a lite bullet. However, that is pure speculation.

HELP! I have a problem with the new ' INCEPTOR ARX ' 9mm bullets. The load data they give on their web site is not good. I have tried everything they suggest up to the MAX +P loads. The cartridges shoot fine, but they will not eject. I am leary of loading much more on the +P max. The powders that I have are HP-38, TightGroup, and Autocomp. I am shooting from a Springfield XDM Compact. I would like to stick to one of these powders if possible.
Any suggestions please.

 

[Hasaf]

HELP! I have a problem with the new ' INCEPTOR ARX ' 9mm bullets. The load data they give on their web site is not good. I have tried everything they suggest up to the MAX +P loads. The cartridges shoot fine, but they will not eject. I am leary of loading much more on the +P max. The powders that I have are HP-38, TightGroup, and Autocomp. I am shooting from a Springfield XDM Compact. I would like to stick to one of these powders if possible.
Any suggestions please.

I have loaded with the max load on the site using tite-group. I have had no trouble with my G42 or Kimber Micro.

 

[Gary A]

Here is the Colt Government Model. It's the gentlest 380 I've ever shot. It's basically a larger Mustang or P238.
I’ve wanted one of this for a long time. If they only had sights that could see.

I wonder if Sig will ever copy it? A Sig P238XL? That would be sweet.

Agreed. I wish Sig would produce a government sized P238XL. Sweet indeed. And, make it an all steel HD.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I carry a Remington RM380 as a backup. It is a locked breech pistol that is, IMO, a soft shooter.

Precision One's loading of the Hornady XTP puts the bullet an average of 13.53" deep when tested against the IWBA 4 x denim protocol and an average of 13.81" deep in bare gel.

Have you tired the PrecisionOne Plus P? My Pico loves it. Not sure if the Remington is rated for it, but if so, try it. It came out after Shootingthebull rated the precisionXTP so well.



https://imgur.com/gallery/cbuqy5C

 

[C0untZer0]

I'm not sure how the +P performs, it might expand more but only penetrate 9 inches or something.

I'd have to see a gel test.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

PrecisionOne makes such fine Ammo IMO, that since the Plus P came out later, I have a haunch it performs better. Will be looking forward for your results.
Thanks

 

[MutinousDoug]

Power Pistol says they get 1020fps from a 3.8"bbl and 4.8gr of powder under a 90 gr Gold Dot.
I get 976fps from my 2.75" Mustang with that load and 1098fps ave from my 4.25" Browning 1911-380 shooting the 90gr Hornady XTP.
Some say PP may be flashy in low light but I don't practice in the dark and flash+velocity might be useful for home defense?

 

[DannyLandrum]

Handling the Shield EZ has just almost made me want to get back into .380 again. Wonder if they could make this same pistol in 9x19., in just a smidge larger version.