Opinions on .380 Carry Ammo

[The_Shootist]

Need opinions - I carry for CCW the Golden Sabre 103 gr rd in my Bersa Thunder, but they are kinda tough to get around here. Not impossible, just takes a bit of effort.

I was at the range today, and it seems among those that carry a JHP (as opposed to ball) in their .380s, the favorite round is the Hydra-Shok (which seems to be more available in my area).

I carry H/S in my P-32 and know that Federal puts out a class round. So - anybody have a preference of the H/S vs the G/S?

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I have been using Federal 230gr Hydra-Shoks in my LW Commander for years. Never a hiccup. Tried the Federal 90gr Hydra-Shoks in my CZ-83. Very accurate, feeds good, no hiccups. Stayed with them.

ZM

 

[MICHAEL T]

There nothing wrong with HS ,thats what in my Bersa at present. Rem 102 in my PPK/S and CorBon95grHP in my Mustang. As I finish off what I have on hand. Everything will be the Rem 102 GS. Really don't belive theirs that much difference in any name brand. I just like the little extra weight of the Rem.
Now in your P-32 I would only carry ball. Belive your giving up to much power with that small of a pistol.

 

[DonGlock26]

I use 90gr Golddots. A friend of mine went to a Speer jello shoot and came away impressed by the 90gr .380 Golddot.

JHP's in P32's can cause jams called rimlock. I use only hot FMJ. You can modify the magazine to stop the jams. Check out this site for more info.



http://www.ktog.org/vbulletin/

 

[Ala Dan]

We have the 90 grain Federal "Hydra-Shoks" in my daughters Walther PPK.
Never a problem with them, as fired from her stainless InterArms PPK.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[lbmii]

Winchester has a flat point FMJ 380 round. I use it or the regular round nose FMJ. Penetration first! MY Kel-Tec has a short barrel therefore the FPS is so low that I just go for penetration over anything else.

 

[Zardoz]

In 380, I'd go with GS or HS. They seem to have the best combo of penetration and expansion in small guns.

 

[Erich]

Based on the dead bodies in cases that I've seen which were caused by .380s (and the live bodies that the .380s didn't kill), I would second lbmii. Shot placement and penetration are what you're after. Expansion seems like a good way to slow down the light, slow-moving .380 projectile before it gets to the good stuff.

 

[Ivy Mike]

I carry Winchester Supreme SXT 95grn in my .380 Makarov.

Feeds flawlessly and is pretty clean. I got a case of it free, so it works for me. I'm not concerned about expansion or lack of penetration. As long as it goes into center mass I think it will have done its job...failing that, there are 7 more rounds behind it.

 

[Erich]

I've got an open case now where it took seven rounds of .380 to stop a guy.

They all went CM, too. Five of the seven did essentially no serious damage. One would have killed the man eventually (through the liver and lung) but did not stop him. The one that finally worked went through the aorta.

Shot placement and adequate penetration, folks. You're probably right, though, that the SXT would penetrate adequately.

 

[Trisha]

Go with whatever feeds reliably and is accurate in your firearm. Knowing the limitations of the round I just set the sight picture on the unibrow and squeeze. . .

I handload with GS bullets and carry H-S.

 

[196pc]

I use the W-W flatpoints in my Sig P-230 .380. Very reliable and accurate. After 26 yrs of off duty carry I find that the slim 380 is tough to beat. Erich.....What type of rounds did the suspect absorb??

 

[Erich]

FMJs, and HPs probably wouldn't have done it. He was a big guy (5'6", 280), and pretty thick through the torso. The shot that finally killed him went through a bunch of flesh, through the aorta, through another bunch of flesh, and then out through his upper arm.

 

[saltydog452]

.36 cal 9X17.

What Trisha said.

Didn't know Charlie Daniels played cello.


As a side remark and just a little off thread, given a choice, I will generally buy Federal center fire ammunition in whatever caliber or gauge I might need at the time. Wish Federal hadn't discontinued the 'nyclad' 38 spcl though.

salty.