Pick for .380 ammo

[SeanSw]

I buy the Mega box of 250 rds. for $69.00.

I hope you stockpiled, it's $139.99 currently.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I would start here:

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

Having said that, I like the idea of the Xtreme Defender rounds

 

[mdauben]

In these 380 threads I always read where people recommend ammo that really hasn't performed well in FBI tests or against the IWBA protocol.

While I do not claim to have done any exhaustive research into the subject, I have yet to see results for any .380 round that performs well in FBI gel tests. They all seem to either expand and underpenetrate, or not expand and over penetrate.

 

[Steve C]

Final summation of .380 acp ammo tests by Shootingthebull410
Look up individual tests to see the tests on individual ammunition brands and types.

 

[C0untZer0]

While I do not claim to have done any exhaustive research into the subject, I have yet to see results for any .380 round that performs well in FBI gel tests.

People have different ideas about what it means to do well in the FBI tests. ShootingTheBull410 uses subjective descriptions like "perfect" and "butter-zone" which seems to vary for round to round and doesn't match up well with the actual test results. I'm not saying his tests are bad, I think the testing and the results are valid, and it is great that he did those tests. I'm just saying his verbal descriptions of various rounds are inconsistent and he definitely over uses the word "perfect." When he talks about the "butter-zone" he seems to indicate that there is some level of penetration between 12 and 18 inches that is somehow optimal.

The FBI's own document "FBI Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness" says up to 18 inches is preferable.

https://archive.org/stream/fbi-hand...n-wounding-factors-and-effectiveness_djvu.txt

So according to the FBI, the best possible result would be a bullet that penetrates 18.00 inches, which would be better than a bullet that penetrates 17¾ inches which would be better than a bullet that penetrates 12¼ inches, but to pass the tests, a bullet need only penetrate 12 inches.

When I said the Hornady Critical Defense didn't do well, I meant the round failed.

 

[paulsj]

Is there any consensus on a carry load for the 380 pistols that is readily available and functions at least most of the time well. I've seen a lot of online crap some super long tests and others just winging it. I have a 42, and it shoots well. Cheers.

If I owned a 9x17 I would try Speer LE Gold Dots first.

 

[Stumper]

There is no consensus.FWIW, I carry a 380 more than any other caliber. My Taurus TCP has a Hornady Critical defense round in the chamber and alternating cast truncated cone flat points and critical defense hollow-points in the magazine. Is that the best choice? I don't know, but it works reliably. The only thing other than inanimate targets that I have shot with a .380 was a wounded hog. Winchester flat points finished it. Best load or not I am not unarmed with a .380 and, as I stated, those loads work reliably in my gun.

 

[Mark 40]

Best load or not I am not unarmed with a .380 and, as I stated, those loads work reliably in my gun.

Agree with ya Stumper; consensus surely isn't universal. But, you did your homework and know what works in your gun. Good stuff.

 

[greyling22]

Probably the best load for a glock 42 is going to be a handloaded +P round (yes, I know there is no saami spec for +p 380) with an xtp in it. I say handloaded because I'm pretty certain you can hotrod a 380 in a glock 42 that would exceed what is safe in other blowback 380's. Similar to the ruger only 45LC loads.

That said, I have not worked up any loads to share, so I'd defer to the fairly excellent 380 factory ammo tests already mentioned.

 

[murf]

ball ammo that runs 100% is what i use in mine.

luck,

murf

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I carry a Remington RM380 in my pocket any time I’m not carrying something bigger.

I carry the Buffalo Bore hardcast standard pressure.

I want penetration.

I wish some of those gel tests showed what those .380 hollowpints do if they hit a pork rib before they enter the gel.

Sounds like you need to see Paul Harrell's vids on the .380 he has two his meat target is much more realistic than the jello these others use.

 

[rskent]

When I said the Hornady Critical Defense didn't do well, I meant the round failed.

Help me out here, where does it say that the round failed. I must be having a bad optic day, couse I don’t see it.

 

[CZF]

Sperr Gold Dot .380, with a spare mag of Gold dot /FMJ mixed.

Otherwise it is a 9mm or .45 with Speer or Double Tap JHP.

 

[Armored farmer]

With these 380 threads there are usually at least 2 people who chime in and recommend Hornady Critical Defense, but there are a lot of test results out there where the Critical Defense just doesn't do well.

Well hey, after all...it did deliver a nasty puncture wound to a two liter soda bottle.

 

[MisterCrabby]

critical defense.

 

[Stumper]

rskent, He means it failed according to the FBI protocol requiring a minimum of 12 inches of penetration in ballistic gel. What Hornady Critical Defense .380 ammo does is consistently feed in most guns and expand from 2.75" barrels. Everyone must take their pick.

 

[DPris]

I don't subscribe to the belief that penetration is more important than expansion.

An FMJ that travels an extra couple inches & does little tissue or organ damage along the way is not superior to a good JHP that tears as it goes along & creates more tissue & nervous system disruption.

Take it or leave it.
Denis

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I guess I saw on Lucky Gunner's site that Magtec jhp performed (expanded) & penetrated pretty well).

 

[rskent]

rskent, He means it failed according to the FBI protocol requiring a minimum of 12 inches of penetration in ballistic gel.

I was asking exactly what test. The only one I have seen is the lucky gunner test, It passed that one.

 

[C0untZer0]

I was referring to ShootingTheBull410 bare gelatin test, and:



He did some other tests out of a shorter barreled 380, but since the OP has a Glock 42 its probably more relevant to look only at Glock 42 test results.

The Hornady Critical Defense did OK in Lucky Gunner's FBI Heavy Clothing test, but still didn't do as well as it's sister round Hornady XTP which averaged almost an inch more penetration:

https://www.luckygunner.com/380-auto-90-grain-jhp-xtp-hornady-25-rounds#geltest

https://www.luckygunner.com/hornady-380-acp-ammo-for-sale-380auto90ftxhornady-25#geltest

The most consistent round in the LuckyGunner tests for penetration (and expansion) was the 88 Grain JHP - Remington HTP

 

[rskent]

I find it interesting that in the “shooting the Bull410” test, the Critical defense .380 penetrated about 9 in. and in the Lucky gunner test it showed a solid 12 in. I guess I don’t understand gel testing.

I do understand the limitations of the .380 round. Sometimes I choose comfort over performance.

 

[Riomouse911]

"I do understand the limitations of the .380 round. Sometimes I choose comfort over performance."

That's certainly one of the balancing acts all of us who carry daily have to make. When it's 105 outside (Like it will be ALL of next week) I'm not big enough to pack and conceal a full-sized 1911, Glock, HiPower etc. I just don't have the mass to do that without a cover garment.... and I'll be damned if I'm wearing a jacket in that heat, that'll be a sure giveaway that I'm packin'...or I'm nuts.

The LCP with the Win 95 gr PDX goes with me a lot more often than the G34 will because I live where it's hot more often than it's cold. Should things go South I would love the G34 along with me, but if it's the LCP I have on me then I will do my best with that tool.

Stay safe!

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Here are some great test done with a SHORT BARREL 380. He test quite a few to include the Hornady CRITICAL DEFENSE, etc. Personally I use PrecisionOne Plus P.

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/p/ammo-tests.html

 

[rskent]

Here are some great test done with a SHORT BARREL 380. He test quite a few to include the Hornady CRITICAL DEFENSE,

Seems to mimic the Lucky Gunner test.

Please keep in mind, I am not suggesting that you should use any particular brand of ammunition for your personal defense. I use what ammunition I feel comfortable with and is continually available to me from several sources. For years I used Federal Hydro Shock. Then I switched to XTP’s. I like them; however, it has become difficult to get the same XTP’s locally. Critical Defense seems to be available every ware. They seem to have consistent quality, and they seem to run in all my guns. I like having ammunition that is well tested for reliability in my firearms. And because I shoot some amount of self-defense ammunition regularly, I like to know that it is readily available. I generally buy some amount every few months.