Remington .380 ACP 102gr Golden Saber in Vyes Ballistics Gel

[5pins]

Test Gun: Ruger LCP
Barrel length: 2.75 inches.
Ammunition: Remington .380 ACP 102gr Golden Saber
Test media: 10% Vyse Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 821fps
BB Calibration: 3.75 inches.

https://general-cartridge.com/2020/...cp-102gr-golden-saber-in-vyes-ballistics-gel/

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Thanks for doing the testing for those of us who can’t!

The results seem about what I would expect out of the little LCP. When they manage to attain 800+ FPS they do pretty well.

 

[Charlie98]

I have some of those as component bullets for my Colt Gov't .380... which has a longer barrel than most 'pocket' .380's. Loaded over a good charge of Unique, they do very well.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks for the report.

 

[JTHunter]

I have some of those as component bullets for my Colt Gov't .380... which has a longer barrel than most 'pocket' .380's. Loaded over a good charge of Unique, they do very well.

From what I could find, your pistol has a 3.25" barrel and is almost 22 oz. I have an Astra Constable .380 whose barrel is 3.5" and weighs 25 oz. I am wondering if our extra length would cause these rounds to do a better job. Now, I reload for mine with a near max charge AND I notch the tops of my HP bullets so they are "pre-split" and will mushroom more easily.

 

[Charlie98]

When you consider most compact 'pocket' .380's have a barrel of 3" or less... I think anything longer would do pretty well. I've not tested it against another, however.

 

[defjon]

Anyone tried any of buffalo bores 380 ammo? The "380 plus p" I think one load was getting like 288 foot lbs from an lcp. That's truckin '!

I got some of the hard cast plus p for my wife's 238 when camping. I think limited rounds most 380s would be okay.

Something with a steel frame is probably fine. I know my ppk loved hotter loaded rounds. That really makes the pocket rocket 380s compete with a 38 snub energy wise. But you can't load any old fmj or fmj flat point or jhp. Gotta pony up for the good ammo in a well made 380 to get the most out of it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Anyone tried any of buffalo bores 380 ammo? The "380 plus p" I think one load was getting like 288 foot lbs from an lcp. That's truckin '!

Yep, they are warm. I wouldn't shoot them in an LCP. Big red warning in the manual:

The RUGER® LCP® pistols are chambered for the 380 Auto cartridge. Do not
attempt to load any other cartridges into the magazine or chamber of the pistol.
Do not use “+P” ammunition.
The RUGER® LCP® pistols are compatible with standard factory ammunition
loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including hollow-point loads loaded in brass
or aluminum cases. No 380 Auto ammunition manufactured in accordance with
NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or
known not to function in these pistols. Do not use “+P” ammunition.

 

[sgt127]

I use the Buffalo Bore standard pressure hardcasts in my Remington RM380.

I don’t see a real benefit to the +P. The penetration of the standard pressure is stunning.

If all I’ve got is a .380, I’m all about penetration. I don’t want a hollow point hitting a rib, arm bone etc and not getting into the important stuff.